WHO IS INFLUENCING YOUR CHILD? HOW SAFE ARE SAFE SCHOOLS IS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLING AN ARTIFICIAL HOTHOUSE? SEARCH FOR SCHOOLS NOW www.findachristian.com.au
Our College provides positive and engaging learning experiences that have been developed within a Christian framework of values and beliefs. Through the development of an inclusive, nurturing and challenging environment, the College strives to inspire high academic achievement, genuine ambition and foster each student’s individual potential; personally and academically. Our dedicated staff works diligently to develop and deliver an inclusive curriculum that addresses learning that is meaningful, engaging and relevant. TEACHERS ENCOURAGE AND CHALLENGE STUDENTS TO: • take responsibility for their own learning • develop independent and group learning skills • take risks without fear of failure • pursue excellence • put into practice those things that they have learned • engage, explore, explain, elaborate and evaluate • achieve their potential.
GEELONG BAPTIST COLLEGE 590 Anakie Road Lovely Banks, Victoria, 3213 Phone: (03) 5276 1674
Fax: (03) 5276 1675 Email: enquiries@gbc.vic.edu.au Website: www.gbc.vic.edu.au
IN THIS ISSUE: 18 Funding Your Childs Education 20 Who Is Influencing Your Child? 22 How Safe Are Safe Schools 24 Is Christian Schooling An Artificial Hothouse?
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Find a Christian School.
Funding your childs education
E
ducation for every child is a modern concept. We now think of it as a right. Yet the provision and funding of education is debated around the world. The models of funding have changed many times over the last 150 years. Historically, education for most was provided by parents. At times it has depended more
Visit our website for College Tour dates
Independent P-12 Anglican Co-educational
www.wcc.nsw.edu.au 1 Morris Grove, Kellyville For more information: enrolments@wcc.nsw.edu.au (02) 8882 2400 CRICOS Provider Number 02315J
18 Christian Woman Winter 2016
on churches. More recently it has been considered a government responsibility. However God has given to parents the primary responsibility for the nurture and care of their children. This responsibility has not changed over time. It has also not been delegated to government, the church or even teachers. If we do believe parents have responsibilities for raising children then parents also need to have choices. They should have options of where and what their children will be taught. Christian schools give parents a choice. Some Christians question paying school fees when they are paying taxes to fund government schools. Christian schools may even be accused of undermining the government education system and duplicating facilities. The Bible takes a different view, Where your treasure is there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34 Jesus saw it as a natural response to give to what we believe is important. What we are willing to allocate treasure, or finances, towards demonstrates where our hearts are. If providing an education which reflects a parent’s beliefs and supports their role is considered important then they will work out ways to make it a priority. When questioned about taxes Jesus’ reply was simple… Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. Matthew 22:21 He taught that paying taxes did not stop an individual from doing what God wanted them to do. They were not to be considered mutually exclusive. Parents do need to carefully consider the financial cost of education if they choose a Christian school. It will come down to setting priorities. The apostle Paul taught… Everything is permissible - but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible - but not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians 10:23 Paul faced choices. He felt some decisions were better than others. As a parent you face the choice of ‘which school should I send my child to?’ In our society children will learn the basics of education whichever school they attend. However not all they learn may be beneficial or constructive. We can be thankful we do have a choice. Like all choices we make, it is one for which we will be accountable to God. Our choices can have short-term, long-term and eternal consequences. Whatever you decide, we hope and pray that this has been helpful in your choosing a school for your child. This article was provided by www.WhyChristianSchools.com.au. Hear parents and teachers answer common questions about Christian education.
Your child will spend the majority of their childhood in a classroom surrounded by peers and being taught by somebody that you don’t know. The decision on schooling is probably your most crucial...
W
hen our children are young – as in the pre-school years – we have the potential to be pretty much their sole influence. Aside from a few ‘outside’ influences like the Wiggles, High 5, and potentially Veggietales and Colin Buchanan, we have full control over what they hear and see. But come the school years, that influence slowly dissipates and it becomes the school’s teachers and students that start having a major say over what our children hear and learn. The Importance of Christian Teachers Who is influencing your child? A child’s early years lay a spiritual foundation for life. In our modern society many things will influence your child. The Barna Group study found parents were still the major influencers of children. This position was however now being shared with media and laws. School came in at the second level. The 1,200 hours spent
20 Christian Woman Winter 2016
each year in school over roughly 12 years are seen as very influential. Christians may be surprised that church was further down the list. The 100 hours or so a year in church can be very significant, yet other influences are seen as greater. Your child’s teachers will have a significant influence. Jesus said: A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher Luke 6:41 Teachers are significant role models. Your child will imitate, or become like, their teachers. As parents it is important we help ensure our children have suitable role models. The Apostle Paul himself encourages us to Imitate me as I imitate Christ 1 Corinthians 11:1 In selecting a school parents are choosing who they will partner with for the education of their child. Education is more than gaining knowledge about the world around us. It is learning how to respond to and live out that knowledge. Different teachers do have very different understandings of what is important in life. The Apostle Paul highlights the foundational differences between Christians and nonChristians when he asks the question: What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 2 Corinthians 6:15 Paul urges Christians to not “be yoked” together with unbelievers. He urges us to still be in the world yet to avoid situations where we are obliged to follow, or adopt the values of unbelievers. Non-Christian teachers can be dedicated and passionate yet they cannot lead our children into biblical truth about our world and their place in it. Jesus also points out the obvious: Can a blind man lead a blind man? Won’t they both fall into a pit? Luke 6:38 In Christian schools parents, teachers and church members can work together to positively influence children. Other parents in the Christian school community will generally share a similar view of the world. They will become additional role models to your children. This sense of community and common values can make the role of parenting much easier. The Bible says Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it Proverbs 22:6 Choosing a school which employs practising Christians as teachers gives parents a greater say in who will be a role model for their children. Christian teachers are not perfect. Nor do they have all the answers. Yet they are part of a wider Christian community working together with, and on behalf of, parents.
Today’s Students. Tomorrow’s Leaders. • Leaders in Christian education • Rigorous academic program • Innovative, capable and committed teachers • Excellent student care • Technology rich environment • Local and international service programs • Renowned student leadership
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T
he media have this week turned their attention to the Safe Schools Coalition Australia (SSCA). Billed as an anti-bullying resource, SSCA is a government funded program that supports gender diversity, sexual diversity and intersex issues. You’ll get no argument here against stopping bullying of any kind – schools should be a safe place for ALL students. No child should fear attending school, or dread school breaks in the playground. But it’s hard to find any anti-bullying teaching in the SSCA resources. Parents and educators alike have instead been surprised to see mainstream media reports describing the actual content of the materials designed for primary and high school students. It is a pervasive resource. The teacher’s manual says, “Whatever the subject, try to work out ways to integrate gender diversity and sexual diver-
All of Us is aimed at Year 7 and 8 students (ages 11-14). The student handout informs the children that their gender is not as simple as whether they are ‘male’ or ‘female’ but that everyone has their own gender identity. They are told that some people identify with both genders, and some don’t identify with either, and that it’s up to each individual to describe what gender identity fits them best. According to the ‘All of Us’ resource, asking a new parent whether their baby is a boy or girl is inappropriately reinforcing ‘heteronormativity’. It describes sexual identity as “Who you love, like and hook-up with”. Minus18, the organisation who co-wrote “All of Us”, uses the term “hook-up” with a crystal clear meaning on their website, which states: “So I done f*d up (the word is in full in the resource). Literally. “One Grindr hook-up gone wrong, and that’s how I got myself
can help. Practices with known adverse health risks. The federal government has provided $8 million in funding for the Safe Schools Coalition. The Victorian government will require all state schools to join the Safe Schools network by 2018, but the program is voluntary in other states and territories. So far 490 primary and high schools nationally have signed up, although the list of 24 schools in Queensland is secret. It’s not hard to see why this controversial program is receiving a lot of media attention of late. Safe Schools Coalition tells teachers to integrate gender diversity and sexual diversity across all curriculum areas. Minus18, the organisation that cowrote many of Safe Schools resources, tells students and teachers that school chaplains have a reputation for prejudice, in particular when dealing with LGBT people.
sity across your curriculum’’. Despite adopting the program, the principal of Scotch College in Adelaide, John Newton, told The Australian newspaper that he does not approve of the lesson plan requiring children to imagine themselves in a same-sex relationship. “It feels like a ham-fisted attempt to change a culture” says Newton. His comment refers to the second lesson in the most recent resource, All Of Us, which is co-produced by SSCA and Minus18. The lesson plan expects children as young as 11 years old to have formed opinions on transgenderism, bisexuality and sexual diversity, and to let the entire class know where they stand.
some gonorrhoea.” These are 11-14 year olds. The paragraph goes on to explain that contracting a sexually transmitted disease in this way is ‘no big deal.’ The Safe Schools Coalition tells children if they can’t access the Minus18 website they should go to their teacher and have it unblocked. Among other things, the site gives advice to girls who want to be boys on how to bind their chests whilst warning that the practice has the potential to be lethal . Boys who want to be girls are instructed how to tuck their testicles back inside the pockets of their abdomen, pull the penis backwards, in-between the legs, and that wearing too-tight underwear
Boys and girls who want to appear as a member of the opposite sex are advised how to ‘tuck’ and ‘bind’ on a website endorsed in the material. Tells children aged 11-14 that it’s up to them to describe what gender identity fits them best. Safe Schools Coalition are promoting a new book, The Gender Fairy, for 4 year olds, with the by-line “Only you know whether you are a boy or a girl. No one can tell you” Wendy Francis is the Queensland Director of the Australian Christian Lobby.
Northholm Grammar School As a school that supports Christian values we actively encourage our students to be generous in nature, tolerant in thought and compassionate in action. Learning in a vibrant and supportive environment our students develop the knowledge, skills and personal attributes they need to live a rich and purposeful life as future global citizens. Address: 79 Cobah Road, Arcadia, NSW, 2159 Phone: (02) 9656 2000 Email: registrar@northholm.nsw.edu.au Website: www.northholm.nsw.edu.au 22 Christian Woman Winter 2016
Our inclusive and nurturing culture seeks to ensure our students are given every opportunity to excel academically, socially and in co-curricular activities. We are proudly known as a highly inclusive pastoral school, which aims at academic excellence, and has outstanding programs in Music, Drama and Outdoor Education.
St Andrew’s Cathedral School A future full of possibility begins with education filled with opportunities From our city-centre location to our passionate teachers and dynamic programmes, St Andrew’s Cathedral School provides K-12 students with the pathways they need to thrive, both now and for years to come.
ing Enroll
r now fo
2017
As a comprehensive school, we are delighted with the results of our Year 12 graduates, where more than 22 per cent achieved ATARS above 90, that is in the top 10 per cent of the available ATARs in the country. Our staff are committed to continuously improving our results and academic culture across all year groups by adopting best practice methodologies and utilising and adapting a wide range of technologies in the classroom to ensure students are given every opportunity to be engaged and learning every day. Key to St Andrew’s success in equipping its students to excel is the dedication of the teachers and staff, who go above and beyond what is expected, to support and encourage students to do their very best. The pastoral care of students is a vital component of our success in developing well rounded graduates who have a heart to serve others, a mind that is engaged and creative and a life that embraces challenges and is filled with hope and purpose. These graduate attributes of Heart, Mind, Life are the foundations upon which we have created a unique suite of wellbeing programs that support and equip students to negotiate the sometimes rocky years of adolescence. It is our hope and goal that all students who graduate from our school are equipped with all the tools necessary to excel at university and in life.
To book a tour, please visit our webpage: www.sacs.nsw.edu.au Phone: 02 9286 9500 Email: wbannister@sacs.nsw.edu.au
www.sacs.nsw.edu.au Sydney Square, Sydney
IS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLING AN ARTIFICIAL HOTHOUSE?
S
ome parents feel Christian schools place children in an artificial hothouse. They claim children are not well prepared to live in a society where most people are non-Christian. The Bible says of Jesus… “For by Him all things were created, things in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16-17 We believe life is not an accident or coincidence. As Christians we understand we are created in God’s image. Any education system which ignores God and Jesus also denies the Bible’s claims of reality. In its place another view of reality is presented. Christian parents partnering with Christian teachers can help children discover and understand the truth about the world around them. Rather than removing children from the real world Christian schools help them see it clearly. The very first sentence of the Bible is
An Anglican Community
INSPIRING Each learner every Experience every day
For information: call +61 2 9847 8001 or visit www.barker.nsw.edu.au
24 Christian Woman Winter 2016
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 That God is the Creator is a basic belief for Christians. What we believe about God, Jesus Christ and the origins of life do influence how we act on a daily basis. These beliefs will also have a dramatic impact on how a school conducts itself. The beliefs of school leaders determine what priorities are set, what is important and therefore what should be measured and reported on. Secular education believes history and the world around us can be understood without reference to God or the Bible. By leaving these out curriculums don’t become neutral but essentially anti-God. Families are the first place children learn about the world around them. Schools then help children understand more about the world. In the early years families and schools can be likened to providing a hothouse environment for children. Consider the purpose of a hothouse or glass house. It is to nurture plants while they are young. A hothouse provides an environment where the conditions, watering and nutrition can be better managed. The hothouse is designed to grow healthier plants faster. When removed from the hothouse these plants are better able to thrive in all environments. In the home parents can help control what is taught, how much and by whom. The home and family life gives a child a framework of reality. Parents naturally want to protect, nurture, feed and strengthen their children. Over time parents expose their children to more age appropriate ideas and experiences. In the same way Christian schools seek to work with parents as an extension of the family home. Rather than providing a different, or even inconsistent, environment Christian schools aim to reinforce what is taught at home. It is up to parents to decide which hothouse environment they desire for their children outside of the home. Do we believe this is God’s world? If so a supportive hothouse environment where God and Jesus Christ are seen as relevant to daily life can help prepare a child for the realities of life “We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the church.” Ephesians 4:15 This article was provided by www.WhyChristianSchools.com.au. Hear parents and teachers answer common questions about Christian education.
Find a Christian School.
Christian College Geelong For over 35 years, Christian College has been providing a quality education to the Geelong and Bellarine region. From Pre-Kinder through to Year 12 (including VCE/VET/VCAL) and over our 4 campuses, Christian College provides the learning that matters, developing the whole studentacademically, spiritually and mentally. This enables our students to become remarkable young men and women who are confident, ready and capable of leading change to improve our world. Main Admin Campus Address: 18 Burdekin Rd, Highton 3219 VIC Phone: (03) 5241 1899 Email: enquire@ccg.vic.eud.au Website: www.christiancollege.vic.edu.au
Dubbo Christian School Dubbo Christian School offers Bible-based, Christ centred schooling from preKindergarten to Year 12 in the progressive regional NSW city of Dubbo. We now also offer 5-day boarding for students from Year 7 to Year 12 and encourage you to come and take a look around and see why DCS would be a great choice for your whole family! Address: 141 Sheraton Road Dubbo Phone: (02) 6882 0044 Email: enrolments@dubbocs.edu.au Website: www.dubbocs.edu.au
St Andrew’s Cathedral School Is a coeducational, Kindergarten to Year 12 school. It is the quintessential city school in Australia, located in two high rise buildings in the centre of Sydney’s CBD. Our school is an Anglican school, with a vision to inspire students to become passionate, creative learners who engage with the message of Christ and fully develop their gifts and abilities in order to serve in the world. Address: Sydney Square, Sydney NSW 2000 Email: wbannister@sacs.nsw.edu.au
Phone: (02) 9286 9500 Website: www.sacs.nsw.edu.au
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