Building Development News

For the last three decades, Calvin students and families have been using our much-loved Multi-Purpose Hall for school and community events.

Many current and former students will have fond memories of school productions, events, and celebrations in the Multi Purpose Hall. My wife (a Calvin teacher at the time) and I held our engagement party and later wedding reception in the Hall.

Unfortunately, if you have visited it lately you will know that the Hall is in need of an upgrade and some TLC. So, after much planning and preparation, we are excited to announce that our long-awaited Multi-Purpose Hall redevelopment and extension is beginning NEXT WEEK. You may have noticed some activity on-site already.

“We are excited to announce that our long-awaited Multi-Purpose Hall redevelopment and extension is beginning next week!”

Excitingly, the works include a new Music Room extension behind the Multi Purpose Hall, storage space, a refurbished kitchen, toilet upgrade and a complete reorientation of the stage area. The project includes new stairs, walkway, and ramp access that link these works to our existing facilities.

You can get a taste of what the final building will look like from the images below. Our project construction is being led by Maveric Builders with plans to have our new facilities completed by late-2021.

During the development process, we will temporarily lose access to the top primary carpark. This will put some additional pressure on our parking but will ultimately result in some wonderful new and redeveloped facilities for Calvin Christian School.

As a school we have a long history of experiencing God’s provision as we have sought to provide opportunities and spaces for a uniquely Christ-centred education. In thanking the faithful visionaries who helped to establish our school and those who have contributed to this next stage in our growing capacity, it is good to acknowledge God who provides and sustains us.

Scott Ambrose — Principal

Getting Involved in Community

It’s Week 3 of the school term and it already feels like we are back into the familiar routines of school life!

The start of a year, like the end, can be a busy round of events for families but we have enjoyed the opportunity to host parents at our annual Primary and Secondary Community BBQs over the last week. We look forward to the opportunity to connect on an individual level through the upcoming Parent-Teacher Evenings.

“We would encourage you, whether you are a new or existing family, to get involved in our thriving school community”

Those of you who attended one of our Community BBQs would hopefully be aware of the wonderful work that our School Council does in terms of building and supporting our school community. School Council members, with the support of our parent volunteers, did an incredible job ensuring that we were fed and watered on those evenings. That sense of hospitality is a big part of our Calvin Christian School community and, at its heart, reflects the attitude of hospitality and blessing that is such an integral part of the Christian faith.

You will not be surprised to learn that our School Council has also been financially supporting the upgrade of our Library facilities. This represents a significant investment of resources (approximately $80,000) to refurbish our Primary and Secondary Library spaces. The development has included new desks, much needed new carpet, paint and feature walls in the Primary School Library.

In the Secondary School the funds were put towards refurbishing the "The Hub" space, an area extensively used by our Learning Support team. The Conference room was also completely repainted with new cabinetry, chairs and tables. The main Library space was provided with new chairs, tables and soft furnishings to create an appealing space for our students. You can view more photos of the work via our Facebook Page.

We would encourage you, whether you are a new or existing family, to get involved in our thriving school community. Whether that be through service on the School Council or simply attending or getting involved in one of our annual events. You will find a connected, supportive and encouraging community for you and your family.

If you’d like to learn more please visit the brand new “Engage tab” on our school website or visit calvin.tas.edu.au/get-involved.

Scott Ambrose – Principal

Welcome!

Welcome to Calvin Christian School for the 2021 school year! As you can imagine, an empty school is a very lonely place.

Without people, school playgrounds and classrooms become strangely quiet spaces. In contrast, the return of students feels like a type of re-awakening as life returns. Spaces that were lifeless quickly become places of connection and relationship.

Having spent time in prayer and planning for the start of the year, Monday morning was a rewarding moment. There were happy, smiling faces as students reconnected with one another and staff welcomed them back into the School. You may have seen some of the photos on our Facebook page as suddenly, our empty spaces became hives of activity. Movement and noise filled previously empty corridors and classrooms as people re-established relationships or began the process of connecting with new students.

“This year, our school theme is CommUnity. We want to both celebrate belonging to the Calvin community”

Schools fulfil their purpose when they are spaces for learning and interaction which is why it was so good to see our returning students. Up to seven hours is spent at school each day for our students, forming an enormous part of their life during school term. No wonder that this community is so significant for them.

This year, our school theme is CommUnity. We want to both celebrate the wonderful aspects of belonging to the Calvin Christian School community and to remind ourselves of the value and challenges of building a genuine sense of community. On Monday, in our opening assemblies we talked about the type of words and actions that can help to build community and those that can tear community down. Ultimately, the strength of our community is found in our central relationship with God through Jesus Christ and it is out of that strength that we give to our school community.

As parents and supporters of Calvin, we would ask you to be praying for our school community as we seek to increasingly reflect God in the ways that we communicate and value one another. We would love to be identified as a community that reflects the encouragement in 1 Peter 4:8-10, loving one another, being hospitable, and faithfully serving.

Scott Ambrose — Principal