What do you expect of your school?

For some, this is a relatively easy question to answer: an education.

Those who understand the history, vision and mission of our School would go further and answer: a Christian Education. In my parent interviews, I hear many responses to that question of expectation, a reminder that each of our children is unique.

What should education look like, what should a school provide, and how should the individual needs of my child be met? For some, schools should provide an increasing range of ‘educations’ that cover seemingly every conceivable aspect of life and the latest societal issues thrown in for good measure. At times, it can feel as though schools have become a one-stop ‘shop’, a place to deal with all of those curly issues that we struggle to address as a family or society.

Last year, our parents completed a Community Health Audit survey. It was encouraging to read what they looked for and valued when choosing Calvin as the school for their children. They talked about:

“What should education look like, what should a school provide, and how should the individual needs of my child be met? ”

• Positive and strong friendships

• Christian values

• Strong academic outcomes

• Growth in faith

• Christian worldview throughout their schooling

• Prepared for further/higher education

When our parents were asked to list Calvin Christian School’s strengths, they wrote of: caring teachers, high academic standards, holistic Christian Education, individual care for students, and a close community feel amongst other elements.

“In contrast to an approach that focusses everything at the school level, the founding vision of our School was one of parents and school working in partnership in the nurture of our students.”

In contrast to an approach that focusses everything at the school level, the founding vision of our School was one of parents and school working in partnership in the nurture of our students. This was to be done through a distinctively Christian framework and learning environment. This has the effect of placing our expectations on a solid foundation. Rather than a consumer-driven approach to education, this model offers a far more holistic understanding of the broader educational process in children’s lives and the influences on them. The parent teacher interviews which are happening next week are an important part of this education partnership. You can check our school calendar for details.

As I have highlighted before, this year, we celebrate 60 years of that founding vision in action. Over time we want to share more of this story as we clearly communicate who we are as a school community. If you would like to read more, visit our 60 Year Anniversary web page. This term we have some great opportunities to celebrate our School and our community including on 27 May for a Family Night of Lights and Fireworks and at our 60 Year Anniversary production of Clue on 3 and 4 June. I look forward to seeing you there.

Scott Ambrose — Principal

Happiness isn’t everything

How often have we said or thought ‘I just want my kids to be happy’?

This inherently makes sense to us. We all know what it is like to parent and support a child who is not feeling happy – it can be hard work. So, it is perhaps natural that we want this for our children, as if we can relax a little when we know that they are happy.

Happiness can seem like the solution to all of life’s struggles. But as human beings who have lived a little, we understand that happiness is not a permanent state of being; that it is one of a range of emotions. We rarely feel ‘happy’ all day let alone consistently over a longer period of time so why do we expect this of and even demand it for our children?

“...as human beings who have lived a little, we understand that happiness is not a permanent state of being; that it is one of a range of emotions.”

As a parent, I have often sought to shield my own children from things that I see as harmful for them but as they grew, I quickly realised that my ability to do this and to manage their emotional responses to ups and downs of life became increasingly limited. As much as I want them to feel happy, I realise that happiness is not always the right response. We are not going to feel happy when we see news of conflict in the Ukraine or think about some of the tensions and struggles in our own lives; happiness can be an unhelpful measure to apply.

Jesus did not promise that we would be consistently happy or that life would be easy. He did promise that His joy would be in us so that our ‘joy may be complete’ (John 15:11). He came to bring us something far more valuable than a temporary emotional response, a sure and certain hope.

“If I have one desire for my children and for our students, it is that they might be people of hope, not a vain hope but a confident hope. ”

If I have one desire for my children and for our students, it is that they might be people of hope, not a vain hope but a confident hope. What better gift can I give my children or greater encouragement than for them than to know this hope found in a personal relationship with God. This is a hope that will be their reference point for life rather than a shallow chasing after an emotion or feeling.

At the heart of Christian Education is a plan that our children would be taught about this hope, that life would make sense through an understanding of God’s plans and purposes for the world. The message of the Christian school and Christian home is that there is a bigger picture, a higher purpose, and a confident hope for the future. This Easter is a great opportunity to find out more about the hope found in Jesus Christ.

Scott Ambrose — Principal

Valuing Diversity...

Earlier this week, we enjoyed a great Athletics Carnival for our secondary students at the Queen’s Domain Athletic Centre.

It is always exciting to see students give of their best, whether that be through exceptional performances or willing participation. The involvement and sense of connection that is generated from that is such a privilege to see in action.

During my time at the carnival, I had a chance to speak to one of our new students who was able to share about the ways that he had been connecting and his early experiences at Calvin Christian School. As he described his classes and peer connection, he summarised it simply as “this is a good school”.

“His comment was a reminder that sometimes we become so focussed on the challenges and hurdles that we forget to value the community and our expression of community.”

His comment was a reminder that sometimes we become so focussed on the challenges and hurdles that we forget to value the community and our expression of community. I have been so encouraged by what I am seeing in the Calvin community: staff who value relationship and give of themselves, students who are finding their place and growing in their understanding of what it means to be an encourager and builder of community, and our broader community who are often speaking so highly of our School. Just this week, one of our staff members was told “Your school has such a good reputation. I’ve heard it’s really good”.

“I have been so encouraged by what I am seeing in the Calvin community...”

As a community which seeks to place God at the centre of all that we do, I was reminded of Paul’s encouragement to the young church meeting in Ephesus: “…you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household” (Eph.2:19). As we have celebrated our cultural diversity through Harmony Day this last week, this Scripture serves as a great encouragement that, as diverse as we are in background, through our relationship with God we find a common community. A community strengthened as we experience what it is to be brothers and sisters in Christ. That welcome extends to all who want to be part of School community where God is at the centre of all that we do and where we invite Jesus to actively transform our lives and classes.

Scott Ambrose - Principal