Choices

I have been contemplating some ideas around choices lately. How do the decisions we make impact others? Our future? How can one seemingly small choice change the very course of our lives?

As I reflect on the past few months, I am sobered by the thought of what my family unit might have looked like today if we had acted on the choice for my wife and children to fly to South Africa in March for a holiday. I would have been in Tasmania—alone, whilst they would be in South Africa—not enjoying the vast beauty of the wildlife reserves and the beach resorts but, rather, isolated inside our house, unable to go anywhere, see anyone or do anything. In this case, a last minute choice saved us from a long term, albeit unintended, family separation.

No doubt each and every one of us has a similar story to tell of a choice that they either did, or didn’t act upon. One thing that is true about choices is that we have the freedom to make them. Perhaps that may be one of the many challenges I have faced during COVID-19. Some of our freedom to choose was taken from us. Whether it was borders closing, restricted socialising, rules and regulations being heaped upon us on an ever-changing daily basis, in each circumstance, we have had to adjust and adapt to a “new normal” and even that in itself has been a choice.

We have either had to choose to adapt and be in a space ready to prepare for what changes come, or choose not to adapt and then be in a space ready to repair from the changes that have come. John Maxwell quotes a mentor of his, John Wooden, when he posits that ‘there is a choice you have to make in everything you do. So, keep in mind that in the end, the choices you make, make you.’ One of the greatest statesmen to have ever lived, Nelson Mandela, had a choice to make after being wrongfully imprisoned for 27 years. He could have chosen to resent and seek retribution, but he chose forgiveness and grace and sought reconciliation instead.

“They came to realise that the choices they make now, will shape their future”

This week, Calvin Year 10 students along with those from Emmanuel Christian School had an opportunity to exercise their right to choose when, on Tuesday, they attended the subject selection information sessions presented by the teachers here at Calvin. In an engaging afternoon—where the students from Emmanuel were hosted by our Year 10 students—they all enjoyed hearing from the respective teachers who had subject information on display in the library. After the information sessions, a few activities, and a slice or two of pizza washed down with a cup of hot chocolate, the students filled in their expected and intended choices for their subjects next year.

In chatting with some of them, the excitement was tangible as they came to realise that the choices they make now will shape their future. They have also realised that the sessions were about illuminating the pathways available to them and that whilst they have made some indications of preferences, these are not set in stone.

As these young minds adapt and prepare for their future, through careful and thoughtful choice making, let us all choose a space that allows us to repair from the challenges of the past few months.

Ken Holloway – Director of Operations

Parent Engagement Matters

Whenever I conduct an enrolment tour, I always make sure I outline the importance of the partnership between home and school in a student’s learning journey.

A recent Waterford Education article states that the most accurate predictor of academic achievement and student success is the extent to which families encourage learning at home and involve themselves in their child’s education. The Department of Education, Skills and Employment website backs this up, saying that parents, families, and carers are a child's first and most important teachers. This article goes on to outline the important role parents and families play in supporting their child's education. Research has shown that when schools and families work together, children do better, stay in school longer, are more engaged with their school work, go to school more regularly, behave better, and have better social skills. Parent engagement also results in longer term economic, social and emotional benefits.

“Research has shown that when schools and families work together, children do better...”

This partnership was highlighted at the most extreme level during our distance learning program, which we implemented as we encountered the COVID-19 restrictions. We are appreciative, thankful and grateful to our parent and family community for the exceptional way you helped Calvin students engage during this time. Although this was unprecedented and unexpected, I believe there will be a range of positive outcomes from this time that will hold our students in good stead in their future learning. 

As they returned to school last fortnight, our Year 6 students gave their highlights about working from home and what they were looking forward to about being back at school. Here are some of their thoughts: 

Highlights of working from home:

• flexible timetable with breaks when needed

• hanging out with family (parents and siblings)

• work hard to finish the day early when possible

• going for walks, bike rides and playing outside

• eating hot lunches (and eating whenever!)

• sleeping in (and working in PJs)

• singing and listening to music while working

• seeing pets more

• free dress

• working at their own pace

Looking forward to school because of:

• seeing friends

• getting back into routine

• borrowing books from the library

• seeing our teachers again

• talking and learning with friends

• having teachers to help

• going to the playground and basketball courts

• doing more sport

• sitting with friends to learn

• playing with friends

Whether it’s home or school, we all have a big impact on the education and personal growth of our students at Calvin Christian School. As Proverbs 22:6 says, ‘start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.’

Andrew Nash – Head of Primary

Learned Helplessness

One of our senior students, Sam Excell, shared a challenging devotion this week in our virtual assembly.

He started with an anecdote about training elephants from infancy by chaining one of their legs to a post. As the elephant grows older it stops straining against the chain believing it can’t move freely. Sam then spoke about learned helplessness and moved to the spiritual lesson. 

‘In our own lives, we can experience learned helplessness. We may feel that an obstacle is too tough, too big and too difficult, we can begin to feel that we don’t have control, that we can’t overcome it because we simply aren’t good enough, or strong enough. It’s as if we have been trapped without any hope of rescue….

[But] here’s the thing, when we have God on our side, learned helplessness is just a term not a lifestyle. It’s a term to describe that we need God, not that we are trapped. A term to say that we can’t do this alone, to call on God.’ (Sam’s devotion)

“It’s a great privilege to be involved in educating young people. It is also a responsibility that we do not take lightly. ”

These are wise words from a young man who has learned to trust God, and this is exciting to me. It’s a great privilege to be involved in educating young people. It is also a responsibility that we do not take lightly.

How do we help them to make sense of a world that is so full of violence, tragedy, brokenness? How do we train them to be godly young men and women when the media makes sin look so attractive? How do we explain the apparent ineffectual faith of Christians? How do we encourage them to be seekers of truth?

Perhaps we may feel at times that we are grown elephants who have learned helplessness but I am encouraged by Sam. He is growing in his understanding of God’s powerful love and though he, like many of us, may grieve about the brokenness and suffering in the world, he is strong in the sure hope we have in Christ.

At Calvin, we work hard to present our Christian worldview in our teaching, and this is not always easy. We read in God’s Word that truth is suppressed and that ‘His attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead so that [people] are without excuse …’ (Romans 1:18-20). Although our worldview is infused in our curriculum, we compete with the secular worldview that is presented everywhere and especially through the media. I want to exhort you to pray for us and we will pray for you as we share the task of bringing up young people to know their Maker and to understand the world they share through His Word and the revelation He wants to give all who seek Him.

So go Sam and the rest of you, our students, who are bold in sharing your faith! Our God delights in you!

Ineke Laning – Acting Principal