Nurture June 2014 (Christian Education National CEN)

A magazine for parents, teachers, and kids

Cyber smart

p10

Collisions!

It’s more about how you finish p20

BOOK & MOVIE REVIEWS

?

What is an

Association p4

featuring:

Rehoboth

Hear the Whisper through the roar

Christian College

Chairo

Christian School

p12

KIDS’ ZONE

Parenting and Christian Schools p22

June 2014

$6.50 incl.GST

Bulk discount: $3.30 incl.GST

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nurture June 2014 1

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It’s such an incredible privilege to walk alongside our children each day, helping to shape them and their worldview.

editorial

A

s we get older, we begin to expect the unexpected. We realise that we can’t control all things in our lives no matter how hard we try. This lesson is learnt pretty quickly as our first child launches into the world! It’s not easy transitioning from our old lives to our new ones.

There’s a lot of uncertainty and I know my prayers became more desperate and passionate throughout this time.

Despite all this change, I was so thankful for my unchangeable, forever faithful God, and knowing that He has control over ALL things.

For South Coast Christian School, many changes have happened over the past year. Their story is truly inspirational and one which highlights the power of God’s love

and faithfulness to His people. They were faced with a bleak future for their school, but with the help of Chairo Christian College and Christian Education National, they were able to work together to build a new and exciting future.

Change is also an ever present part of lives as parents, in the realm of technology. Even someone like me, who is fairly tech savvy, still struggles sometimes to keep up to date with the powerful technological devices my children own. I was excited to read Rehoboth Christian College’s story about Cyber Safety and how they’ve been proactive in helping their students, teachers, and parents understand the benefits and dangers of online technology.

This is an exciting and amazing world we live in. It’s such an incredible privilege to walk alongside our children each day, helping to shape them and their worldview. It’s also a privilege walking beside you as we take this journey together.

Anne Blair-Hickman, Editor

do you want to help your

child plan for their future?

• Talk to your child about careers • Explore interests, skills and occupations • Help your child with courses and training • Help with work experience and job applications

Check out Australia’s national career information and exploration service that has a NEW dedicated Parent Portal called “Assist Your Child”

Visit the MyFuture website myfuture.edu.au

My Future, Australian Government Department of Education , © Commonwealth of Australia reproduced by permission. www.cen.edu.au

nurture June 2014 3

What is an Association?

Y

ou may be surprised to discover your school is owned by an association of parents. Other schools are usually owned by a church, denomination, corporation, or the government.

Your association plays a vital role in honouring the role of parents, and upholding your school’s vision for Christ-centred education.

Christian Education National schools share a common vision. Rather than treating parents as passive consumers of educational services they are encouraged to be active partners in the education of their children. Joining your school’s association is both an opportunity, and a responsibility. You are invited to partner with your school in a unique way.

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Copyright: novintito/123RF Stock Photo

“it takes a community to raise a child”

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Twelve years ago I chose to begin a deeper journey with my children’s school. I am so glad I did. By joining my school association I found myself surrounded by an incredible community passionate about Christian education and the discipling of students. It’s true that it takes a community to raise a child. In joining the association I felt blessed to be uniting with a committed, encouraging, and prayerful community.

Encouragement and Support – As a member you are a partner within the school community.

Members offer encouragement and support throughout the school including the teachers, principal, board, students, parents, and the wider association.

My knowledge and understanding of Christian education grew rapidly.

Over the years I have built strong relationships with staff and other parents.

I reflect on my own childhood experience where parents were encouraged to drop their kids at the school gates and simply go home. In contrast I feel incredibly fortunate, welcomed and in fact encouraged, to be able to share my children’s educational journey.

Anne Blair-Hickman, Editor

“A membership which is both personally committed and faithful in trusting God for His blessing will achieve great things.”

Commitment – This sense of ownership leads to deeper commitment.

This is seen as commitment to the broad principle of Christian education, and to your school in particular.

Ownership – Membership helps you transition from being a consumer of the education your school offers, to becoming a partner and part owner of your school.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

FAQs Willingness to Learn – Christian education needs to be understood and explored. Members should be willing to learn more about this type of education and to understand and encourage its application.

How much time will I have to commit to?

Parents are encouraged to be involved in the life of a school through helping in the classroom, working bees, community development, camps, and excursions. Each of us can bring our skills, experience, and practical help to enrich our children’s education. Joining the association is different. Doing so would require you to attend the Annual General Meeting, plus possibly some other evening meetings. Most of all it is about declaring your partnership with your school’s vision.

Who can join the association?

Prayer – A Christian school is a ministry. Members are encouraged to be committed to praying for school families, staff, activities, and impact on the wider community.

Associations reflect their school history and culture. Some associations are open to all current families. Others are open to past and present parents, or even grandparents and interested members of the broader Christian community. To ensure schools remain true to their vision and mission, full association membership, which includes voting rights, is limited to practising Christians.

Who do I approach about joining?

Each school can have a different process. Ask at the school office or talk to your principal about how to join.

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nurture June 2014 5

wo: Part T ool ch Early S s Year

For Parents

By Mel Hayde The first tooth.

The first step.

The first word.

The first day of school.

ne of the ways to help your child develop to their full potential emotionally, physically, and socially is to encourage self-control.

A self-controlled student is able to sit and listen to the teacher’s instructions and hence will have a greater chance of learning well.

These are precious milestones that a parent treasures.

A self-controlled student is able to eat the fruit and vegetables and balanced lunch provided by their parents and hence will grow healthy and strong.

Yes, of course.

“By constant self-discipline and self-control you can develop greatness of character�. Grenville Kleiser

Yes, of course.

Students characterised by self-control are very content and happy. They have learned to show patience while waiting their turn in the game, they can show kindness to the class mate who is having a grumpy day, and they can enjoy learning as they can sit and focus and enjoy the intrinsic value of gaining wisdom.

Do you want your child to enjoy school?

Do you want them to succeed at school?

6 nurture June 2014

A self-controlled student is able to control their words and emotions and hence will be a good friend for their class mates.

Self-control is the base virtue on which all the other virtues rely. In other words, self-control goes hand in hand with every other virtue. It takes a lot of self-control to show kindness, patience, obedience and gentleness.

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Three quick examples of teaching self-control:

1 Toys Choose toys that promote imaginative play and creativity such as lego, cars, animals, and dolls. Bikes and balls, puzzles, board games, paper and pens, paints, and a ‘useful box’ for simple crafts are also ideal for this age group.

Develop a habit of playing with one set of toys at a time. Then encourage your child to pack that tub up before they choose their next tub of toys. This will teach the self-control of caring for their toys (stewardship); playing in an orderly manner (orderliness); and packing up before moving on to the new toy (delayed gratification).

2 Time Have a pattern for your time before and after school. We had a very simple plan for the morning and we were home most afternoons. Be careful about filling their week with too many activities. They are only tiny. Provide plenty of time to simply play, create, dream, to enjoy quietness and solitude, think, connect, solve, pretend, and build.

This is a key age group to set the self-control of doing needed tasks before play.

Balancing the afternoon with quiet playtime and busy outside play each day will provide a foundation for a life-time of healthy living choices. Expecting homework to be done each day will be teaching the self-control needed to complete tasks in a timely manner.

Morning Pattern

Afternoon Pattern

1-2-3 (dressed, bed made, room tidied) Snack Breakfast

Outside play

1-2-3 (wash face, brush hair, clean teeth) Bath Reading time

Chores and homework

1-2-3 (lunch in, shoes on, bag on)

Dinner

School

Family play then bedtime ritual

3 Talk Teaching your child verbal self-control is a long process. Taming the tongue is very difficult (James 2). During the early school years, set the pattern for words that are and are not acceptable in your home. Our children could not say “I hate you”, but could say “I feel very angry”. Teach them that the words they use will make others happy or sad (bring life or death).

Practise conversation skills over dinner. We would have them share one highlight or lowlight of the day, and then ask a sibling about their day. This was a great skill for making friends in the playground. Also, do work diligently on the tone your children use. Negative attitudes and argumentative interactions can be altered as you model a positive attitude and have calm and consistent consequences for unkind words.

Importance of children’s friendships At any age, having friends provides support and promotes mental health and wellbeing Children’s friendships are also very important for their social and emotional development. Through friendships children learn how to relate with others. They develop social skills as they teach each other how to be good friends.

Most children want to have friends.

Children who have friends are more likely to be self-confident and perform better academically at school than those without friends.

When children have difficulty in making friends or in keeping them, it often leads to feeling lonely and unhappy with themselves. Feeling rejected by others may lead to significant distress.

Learning positive friendship skills can help children socially so they feel happier and more confident.

KidsMatter have developed a great resource “Helping children learn positive friendship skills”. kidsmatter.edu.au

You can find a whole book full of examples of how to use each everyday activity to teach self-control and other heart virtues in Terrific Toddlers available from www.koorong.org.au or www.terrifictoddlers.com.au Next edition: Parenting Series – Part Three: The Primary School Years Mel Hayde, M.Ed, B.Ed, C.Th, C.Bib.Couns.

Mel is currently employed as a teacher/chaplain at Nepean Christian School in Mulgoa, Sydney. She loves to travel around Australia to speak to parents about enjoying the precious toddler years. She has written Terrific Toddlers 1 & 2, and is married to Kris, a Mortgage Broker, and has Caleb (21), Emily (19), Samuel (16), and a baby girl in heaven.

www.cen.edu.au

nurture June 2014 7

news

committed to serving

Meet

Chris Parker

So what is Chris Parker passionate about?

• Having young people see all of life, both living and knowing, shaped by the gospel of the Lord Jesus.

• Technology and education and how the biblical worldview, centred in Christ, should shape how we approach technology as Christian educators.

• Coco, his wife, and their two children, Brae and Bronte.

• His growing collection of UKULELES. The newest edition to the family is a concert ukulele he made himself after following YouTube clips.

Chris will often say that his 13 or so years working in Christian schools has had a substantial impact on who he is today. He loves working in the National Office of CEN and has a number of roles including lecturing, speaking, managing communications, while also being a member of the CEN National Executive.

Scan the QR Code for a YouTube clip of Chris playing his ukulele.

By MICHELLE DEMPSEY

“When people gather with the hope of growing in their understanding of their role as Christian educators, something special happens.”

What happens when you gather together 81 plus principals, deputies, and other school executives from across Australia?

Well I’m pleased to say that with loosened ties and not a stiletto in sight, they let down their hair, relaxed, and fellowshipped like old pals – many of them are old pals!

March 24th – 27th was the biannual CEN Executives’ Conference – formerly known as the Principals’ Conference. This year it was held on the beautiful waterfront in Geelong, Victoria.

The week held a range of speakers and there was plenty of opportunity for networking and growing. The theme of the conference was ‘Fan the Flames’ and that, I think, was achieved.

The speakers included our CEO Ken Dickens, Mark Sayers and Sarah Deutscher from Uber ministries, Jennifer Musisi from Uganda and Phil Cummins from Circle Consulting. In the mornings, we joined together in song and shared biblical reflections which were led beautifully by staff from Covenant College in Geelong.

The Wednesday was dedicated to a Mystery Tour of the Great Ocean Road and included sumptuous culinary delights along the way, again courtesy of Covenant College.

I want to say that the combination of speakers, food, and fun made for a great conference, but it was so much more than that. When people gather with the hope of growing in their understanding of their role as Christian educators, something special happens. The Holy Spirit gets to work and blesses the time with growth, grace, and a deep respect for each other and the roles we have been called to in Christian education. You are served by men and women who are committed to serving your children, your families in Christian Schools. It’s a privilege for me to work alongside them.

Michelle Dempsey, National Coordinator, Christian Education National

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www.cen.edu.au

RATING

Book Review

9/10

by Timothy Newshaw

Cyber Parenting By James & Simone Boswell The world in which we are raising our kids is very different to the world in which we were raised. You cannot go to a cafe, bank, shopping centre, or even church without seeing kids as young as two or three occupying themselves on a screen of some sort.

Cyber Parenting has been a very easy book to read, but it has caused me to evaluate my parenting afresh in light of the world that we live in. My wife and I have eight children ranging from 21 down to 8 and reading this book has been very helpful, not just in recognising the technological age our children are living in, but also to consider our goals and principles in parenting. This book has already led to a number of significant conversations with our children over the use of technology in our family.

Writing a book about technology must be difficult considering the rapid rate of change and the vast range of devices, apps and programs available. I believe the Boswells have done an excellent job in acknowledging how quickly the specific information will date, while at the same time presenting general principles which apply regardless of what the next new thing is.

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Much of what the Boswells write is really about championing the cause of raising our children to love God, honouring Him with their lives and engaging effectively in their broader community, recognising that technology plays such a significant part in their world today. The Boswells regularly include the message of the Bible in a way that is both consistent with the intent of God’s Word and uncompromising in its presentation.

The Boswells did an excellent job of helping me see how to guard the content my children are exposed to, how to protect the valuable relationships they have in their life, and how to utilise the precious commodity of time. Technology isn’t evil but its use does require wisdom.

Right from the beginning I felt that the Boswells were able to empathise with my struggle as a parent in this technological world. They were able to anticipate so many of my questions, present helpful information and advice on a broad spectrum of issues, and give useful illustrations that connect what they write to the lives of real people. I would highly encourage parents with children of any age to read this book.

20% off “cyber parenting”

at CEP Bookstore At checkout enter the Promo Code: NURTURE03 Offer ends 31 July.

cepstore.com.au

Timothy was born in Adelaide, South Australia and currently lives in the Adelaide Hills with his wife and eight children aged between 8 and 21. He is currently employed at Influencers Leadership College as an administrator and lecturer and is actively involved at Infuse Church in Mt Barker.

nurture June 2014 9

Rehoboth christian college is not just smart – but cybersmart!

By craig hunter

CYBERSMAR CYBERSMAR id you know that 54 percent of girls and 70 percent of boys in Australia have seen online pornography by the age of 12? Raising our kids in the ways of God is getting harder with the proliferation of choices and opportunities available to them. What can we do?

Quick Facts First parent-controlled Christian school in WA Established in 1966 Two campuses in Perth suburbs of Wilson and Kenwick Approx 570 students from K-12

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In response to this, Rehoboth Christian College recently hosted CYBER SMART seminars for students, teachers, and parents to help everyone become more aware of the benefits and dangers of online technology.

Students discussed the kind of applications they used technology for and the amount of time they spent on it. One of the surprising results was that over half of our Year 4-6 students had used the internet in their bedrooms unsupervised. Not only that, but most of them had come across inappropriate images or been in situations where they didn’t feel safe. This surprised and shocked the teachers attending.

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Proverbs tells us to RAISE or START children in the way they should go, so when they are old they will not depart from it

Another concern raised is that many games require users to be over 13, and in some cases over 17 — so legally, none of these students should have been allowed to use them. Our kids’ online world is one many parents and teachers are not aware of and not engaged in.

For parents, the first question that the presenter, Kerry, asked us was:

WHO IS IN CHARGE?

RT RT We learnt about the fast-developing nature of new technology, with apps like KIK and SNAPCHAT becoming popular as well as games like MINECRAFT and CALL OF DUTY. One of the sneaky strategies of the most popular apps is to let you download them for free, and then charge you to get access to more levels, or to get there faster. One big lesson here is to turn off the IN-APP PURCHASES buttons in the phone or device settings. Many kids (and adults!) are getting caught out with this one, and being charged hundreds of dollars. www.cen.edu.au

If our child were to join a club down the road that we didn’t know about, we would check it out, meet the people who run it, and make sure it was safe. Yet, out of fear or ignorance, we have let our kids make all kinds of decisions with technology without our involvement.

Ultimately, God has asked us to help our kids make good choices and help them by being involved. How can we do that if we don’t know what they are doing?

Kerry asked us some other key questions:

WHERE’S THE TECHNOLOGY? It needs to be in a public place in the house, not in the bedroom. At first, this sounded very black and white.

However, as she reminded us, we would not allow strangers in their bedroom so why allow our kids to spend time with strangers by being unsupervised online. Kids don’t understand that online predators are savvy and will do whatever it takes to hook our kids. It only takes a CLICK of curiosity to enter a site that will potentially create fear and trauma.

WHEN’S THE DIALOGUE? We need kids to feel safe to talk to us and we need to be involved in what apps they download and monitor their use. Many students said they were reluctant to talk to their parents. The relationship needs to be based on trust, not shame and punishment. This is

surely something that Christian parents can do well.

HOW’S THE BALANCE? Our kids need time to play, explore, get dirty outside, and not become addicted to technology. Again, we have to help our kids in this area — let them use their God-given creative energy by using all their five senses and not just their five fingers.

WHAT BEHAVIOUR ARE WE MODELLING? If we as adults spend all our time on social media and become distracted by technology, we are not helping our kids make good choices. We have all seen the comical behaviour of a room full of people and all of them on their phones or devices, either playing games or using social media!

Proverbs tells us to RAISE or START children in the way they should go, so when they are old they will not depart from it. These seminars were a great reminder about the God-given responsibilities we have as parents and teachers.

If you want to find out more or even host a cyber seminar at your school, you can contact cybersmart.

The site also boasts teaching material and practical advice that is in sync with a Christian world view. cybersmart.gov.au

nurture June 2014 11

Helping our kids hear the

through the

We help our kids renew their minds when we teach them to be discerning about what is thrown at them by the world.

It was so easy when my kids were toddlers. Not the tantrums or toilet training.

Or the trips to Woollies. But in terms of what they would be exposed to — the onslaught of popular culture and non-Christian ideas. Great power lay in MY control of the TV remote control. ‘Inappropriate’ shows were switched off or I changed the channel. I simply didn’t purchase picture books whose message contradicted my worldview. I could silence the radio when a song I disagreed with was being broadcast. I purchased the clothes that I thought were appropriate for them to wear. And they wore them!

These matters increased in complexity as my children grew older and became involved in wider social circles. I wrestled with the influence of ‘the world’ and the many aspects of popular culture and secular ideas that my kids were exposed to daily. Escaping with my family to a desert island seemed very attractive. However, my husband and I recognised that, as Christians, we are called to have a different response. As parents trying to raise kids who glorify God in all areas of their lives, we wanted to train our kids how to live in this world without being ‘corrupted’ by it. This isn’t a new problem for Christians, Paul writes about it in Romans 12.

Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewal of your minds (Romans 12:2)

12 nurture June 2014

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ask for approval before purchasing a song or watching a movie. Rather than immediately rejecting requests that may cause conflict (or booking a ticket to that desert island) we consider the opportunity we have to speak the gospel through what the world has offered. We hope that by navigating some confronting ‘patterns’ WITH the kids we can guide them to think about a biblical perspective on what they are consuming and possibly being shaped by. That being said, as parents, we still need to make judgments on the emotional and spiritual maturity and preparedness of our kids with regard to what we allow them to see or listen to.

ROAR

We are not called upon to avoid conforming by the REMOVAL of our minds but by the renewal. We help our kids renew their minds when we teach them to be discerning about what is thrown at them by the world. These alternative stories are competing for our kids’ affections. We want to teach (and model) discernment while also teaching that Jesus is reigning; lest our young ones be “taken captive by hollow and deceptive philosophies” (Colossians 2:8). We want to proclaim God’s sovereignty and love to the world.

For my kids, in this season of their lives, popular culture provides a plethora of opportunities. So I carefully navigate the minefield of reality TV shows, apps, pop songs, and movies. The kids will www.cen.edu.au

As I tucked my daughter into bed I realised we didn’t speak about the dichotomy of Katy Perry’s Christian upbringing and her current life choices. I didn’t urge my daughter to own her faith and her relationship with God. I didn’t pose the question of the influence that Katy Perry could be for Jesus. I didn’t highlight other pop culture celebrities who have used their position to be a testimony for living in the light.

as parents, we still need to make judgments on the emotional and spiritual maturity and preparedness of our kids with regard to what we allow them to see or listen to

by Amy Moore

whisper

(unfortunately) very public actions don’t align with how God calls us to live in ‘the light’. We prayed for Katy Perry as she seems to struggle with being in this world but not of it.

Having a pre-teen daughter, one of the most recent popular culture opportunities was provided by the musician Katy Perry.This artist has been a bit of a talking point in our household. It started when ‘all the kids at school’ started singing a catchy song of hers that had suggestive undertones. We discussed the implicit meaning of the lyrics and my daughter decided that she didn’t want to sing along with ‘that sort of song’. She also decided she didn’t want to support an artist who promoted that sort of morality. When my daughter read about Katy Perry’s ‘Jesus’ tattoo and Christian upbringing she felt confused.

Ahead were some tricky issues that forced me to examine, with my daughter, some of the muck of this world. Through discussions like these, I pray that we both will have greater clarity about who Jesus is, and the healing that He offers.

I guided her to the beginning of 1 John — where it speaks about how our actions can demonstrate our relationship with, and commitment to, Jesus. While only God knows the true allegiance of anyone’s heart, we concluded that some of Miss Perry’s

There were so many possible points of discussion. So many opportunities for me to breathe the gospel through a conversation it would be easier to avoid. I pray that my daughter is able to use every opportunity - even the tricky ones - to better understand and love her Saviour, internalise the alternative view of life He offers, and to speak and live His truth to others.

And then I take a deep breath and resist the urge to sweep her up and escape to that desert island.

Amy Moore enjoys great books, quality coffee, and spending time with her wonderful husband and three kids (aged 7, 9 and 10). She teaches Library and English at Nepean Christian School and is on the Nuture Editorial Committee. Amy is still trying to work out how to fit 30 hours of activities and commitments into a 24 hour day and covets a Robinson Crusoe existence.

nurture June 2014 13

a journey of two schools

By Rob Bray

An unexpected request

Sometimes the unexpected happens. This was certainly the case in late December of 2012 when Jeff Calway, Board Chair of Chairo Christian School, received an unexpected phone call from Michael Van Leeuwen the Board Chair of South Coast Christian College.

And the reason for the call? The South Coast Board had been in recent conversations with officials from both CEN Victoria and CEN. (They had been seeking important advice and guidance from members of the wider CEN ‘family’.) As a relatively small rural school, offering Christian education from Prep – Year 12, they were facing a number of challenges. Many of these related to a dwindling school population, especially at the senior school level.

It was becoming increasingly difficult for the board and a small staff to carry out the myriad tasks that are required of today’s schools.

The request from the South Coast Board Chair was a very significant one. He wished to know whether the Chairo School Board (and Association) would consider the possibility of South Coast Christian College becoming a campus of Chairo Christian School in 2014.

Most people reading this article will be members of a CEN Christian school community and will immediately recognise that such a request was an extremely difficult one for a board chair to make. It was, in effect, an urgent plea for help and assistance at a very difficult time. It would ultimately mean that the South Coast Christian College Association was considering ‘gifting’ their entire school, with all of its assets, to Chairo Christian School.

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At South Coast and Chairo we share a similar heritage; we have Christ as the centre of our teaching each day, and we share a common vision for the future.

www.cen.edu.au

For our family, the transition to Chairo has been easy. Even our Year 12 student who began at Drouin this year is doing well. The friendly students and staff have assisted to make her change as smooth as possible - parent As is the case with all of our CEN schools, South Coast Christian College had its own proud history. It was first established by an enthusiastic group of Christian parents, seeking a genuine Christ-centred education for their children. These early families worked tirelessly, holding numerous working bees and fundraising activities to ensure that the vision would one day become a reality. God blessed their endeavours and in February 1978, the school began operating as Leongatha Christian School.

Two school boards prayerfully seek solutions

What, then, was the response of the Chairo Board to this request?

Well, such an outcome was certainly located nowhere on the school’s Strategic Plan! The response of the Board was to immediately begin to prayerfully consider this matter.

One key question quickly became of paramount importance. ‘What would ultimately be in the best interests of Christian education in the South Gippsland area?’ Both boards continued to prayerfully seek God’s answer in relation to this question.

I won’t go into all the complex details that were involved before such a question could be appropriately answered. However, needless to say, it involved many hours of meetings for both school boards, including with representatives from a range of other relevant organisations, and a great deal of consultation with the members of each school association.

(This, of course, was particularly the case for the South Coast community who recognised the magnitude of the decision that would eventually be required.)

Yes, the discussions were involved and the task was complex as two school boards continued to seek God’s guidance and direction. However, as time passed, it became increasingly clear that the best solution for Christian families in the Leongatha District would be to allow South Coast College to become a campus of Chairo Christian School from the beginning of the 2014 school year. At a Leongatha Association for Christian Parent Controlled Education meeting held on 26th June, 2013, in-principle agreement was reached for this process to occur.

South Coast Christian College voluntarily relinquished their VCE (Years 11-12) registration. However, a bus service would be established to allow existing South Coast Senior school students to access the VCE program that was available at Chairo’s Drouin Campus. The ‘new’ staff team needed to be put in place. Curriculum offerings had to be finalised. Plans for appropriate resourcing of programs also required urgent consideration.

South Coast Christian College ~ sadness and celebration

Of course, there was considerable sadness involved for many South Coast Christian College families as they gave approval for their school to become a campus of Chairo Christian School. However, there was also a spirit of optimism that God, in His great goodness, had provided a new way of ensuring the continuation of Christian education in the South Gippsland area.

The intervening weeks saw many further important decisions made.

Quick Facts

www.cen.edu.au

Established in 1983 Chairo means 'Rejoice' 4 campuses in the Gippsland region, Victoria • Leongatha Campus • Drouin Campus • Drouin East Campus • Packenham Campus Approx 1,185 students from prep to 12 nurture June 2014 15

On December 6, 2013, South Coast Christian College held a ‘Celebration Day’ at the College and an evening Celebration Dinner. This was a vitally important occasion where past and present members of the school community gathered together to celebrate the rich history of the school but also to look forward to a vibrant new chapter that was about to be written.

A moment of poignant symbolism occurred towards the conclusion of the Celebration Dinner. This was where Michael Van Leeuwin handed a baton to Jeff Calway. This marked a prayerful handing over of responsibility for the Christian education of the College’s students from the South Coast Board to the Chairo Board.

The wording on the baton was clear and simple. It read:

“The Leongatha Association For Parent Controlled Christian Education, trusting God, passed on the baton of providing Christian Education in South Gippsland, to the Warragul District Parent Controlled Christian School Association Inc. Committed to moving forward together. December 2013”

New beginnings

So, what has been the outcome for our two school communities now that over a term of 2014 has now passed? Well, the ‘new’ team of staff, students and parents has embraced the changes in a positive manner. New signs indicate that this is now the Leongatha Campus of Chairo Christian School but the signs tell only a small part of the story. There is an optimism here that indicates a vibrant future for on-going Christian education in the South Gippsland region.

Rob Bray Executive Principal Chairo Christian College

16 nurture June 2014

www.cen.edu.au

Kids Health: Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease Hand, foot and mouth disease is just one of the infections shared around schools. It is most common in children under 10 years of age.

Symptoms

How is it spread?

• The incubation period is generally 3-7 days.

The infection is spread by direct contact with fluid from skin blisters, nose and throat discharges, droplets, and faeces. Good hygiene is important in preventing spread of the disease.

• Mild to high fever for a day or two before the rash appears.

• Small mouth ulcers usually appear first, soon after the fever starts. Your child may complain of a sore throat, or simply go off their food and refuse fluids.

• Headache, aching muscles, mild stomach pain or nausea can occur.

• The rash (blisters) usually clear up after 7-10 days.

MOVIE REVIEW

Croker Island Exodus, a film by Steve McGregor, is a documentary/drama with all the trappings of an engaging Aussie yarn.

It is not restricted by the need to glamorise or sensationalise history. Its intention is to simply tell a story in the words of those people who were actually present in the events depicted in the movie.

Our perception of the impact of the stolen generation has been shaped by the media and movies such as Rabbit Proof Fence. Croker Island Exodus brings fresh insights that allow for a more balanced historical view.

With the new Australian Curriculum comes a renewed focus on Aboriginal perspectives, but how can we develop perspectives without knowing the stories told by indigenous people themselves? Perspectives emerge from reflecting on the everyday experiences of real people. From these reflections we can develop understandings, empathy, and a Godly response to the issues we face as a society.

Rabbit Proof Fence highlights cruel regulations and regimes imposed on indigenous people in the 1930s. While films like this are significant, they can leave us with a jaundiced view of indigenous and non-indigenous relations.

Thank heavens for Steve McGregor who came along to tell his Aunties’ story. The film Croker Island Exodus does not shy away from tough issues like the stolen generation. Its significance lies in the fact that it leaves us with a feeling of hope for personal reconciliation and depth of relationship between individuals. It unfolds a

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Children with hand, foot and mouth disease should be excluded from school until the blisters have dried or disappeared.

For more information, visit: www.health.nsw. gov.au/Infectious/ factsheets/ Factsheets/ handfootmouth.pdf

story of love and commitment that has lasted a lifetime.

The story of the Aunties is shared by three missionary ladies. The missionaries, represented in the film

by Margaret Somerville, responded to God’s claim on their lives, with courage and faith. So often we hear of the negative impact of the missions. It’s refreshing that this film, put together by non-Christians without an agenda, so freely expresses the power of God’s love and its impact even on the following generations.

Margaret captured the story in a book titled They Crossed a Continent. When it was relaunched in 2012, the then Governor General of Australia, Quentin Bryce remarked, “This is one of the greatest of all Australian stories of love and compassion”.

Families and teachers who want to build up a more balanced perspective on Aboriginal perspectives would benefit from this inspirational story. It is suitable to share with children and teens.

Tim White Curriculum Development Officer Northern Territory Christian Schools

nurture June 2014 17

what does

parent control ?

by Ken Dickens

t is obvious that ‘parent control’ implies a certain kind of school governance. The rationale and the outworking of this model, however, are not always so obvious. ‘Parent control’ is not about parents’ rights but about taking seriously the responsibility that the Bible gives to parents in educating their children.

The emphasis is on responsibility rather than the negative connotation of control. In our schools, this responsibility is exercised, in community, through association membership and through an elected board. Parents recognise the gifting, training, and experience of teachers and they honour their office. Teachers seek to work in partnership with parents, whom they acknowledge as the principal educators of their children and whose office they honour. These relationships and roles take place within a community where submission to God and His word is affirmed.

18 nurture June 2014

mean

All schools are parent controlled to some extent. It is exercised in different ways from car park discussions and subtle expectations to voting with one’s feet. The distinguishing mark between schools is how ‘parent control’ is controlled! In our schools, it is done openly through association membership that is dependent on commitment to a biblical vision for life and schooling. It is not individual parents who control the school but a vision driven community.

Professing Christian parents are invited into this ‘covenant’ community to partner with teachers in pursuing a gospel vision of life and learning.

Teachers are conscious that they work with, and for, parents in this community to bring the children up, in the instruction and training of the Lord (Eph 6:2). This work is carried out in the context of formal schooling. Whether formal schooling is the best context to do this is a question that needs to be regularly addressed. However, many people concede that regardless

It is not individual parents who control the school but a vision driven community of whether it is the best context, it is the one our culture prescribes and we might as well use it. But asking the question helps us see the deeply entrenched cultural constraints that we have inherited when we choose to take part in the system of formal schooling.

By themselves, teachers are not the best people to critique these cultural constraints because they are so much part of the schooling culture. One of the great aspects of parent control is that parents can be part of the cultural critique from a different perspective.

Teachers and parents together can work at creating a learning community that may not be so captive to the often unexamined cultural givens of western schooling or even Christian schooling.

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CAREERS Today’s YouTube generation has grown up in a new digital landscape.

Screenagers

“teens who spend a lot of time in front of a screen”

Yrs 10 - 12 students

Aspiring university students are encouraged to visit the UAC website to investigate the courses on offer and requirements for courses. www.uac.edu.au

For most of our screenagers, there’s never been a time in their lives when ipads, computers, video games, mobile phones, and the internet haven’t surrounded them.

Many of us are digital immigrants, “people who were born before the widespread adoption of digital technology”, and struggle to keep up with the latest app or digital gadgetry.

Here are a few links to help you nurture your screenagers through this digital maze.

1 2 3

Common Sense Media Dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology. www.commonsensemedia.org

Parents’ Guide to Mobile Phones Everything you need to know before you buy your child a mobile phone. www.commonsensemedia.org

GPS Tracking: Should Your Teens Use Location Services?

Teens love to announce their whereabouts using location services.

Learn how to keep this potentially risky activity safe. www.commonsensemedia.org

4

How to Set Parental Controls on the iPhone If you routinely hand your iPhone over to your kids, the parental controls make it a bit safer. www.commonsensemedia.org

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DEFENCE FORCE UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS The Defence University Sponsorship allows students to study an accredited degree at any Australian university and graduate with a career in the Navy, Army, or Air Force. www.defencejobs.gov.au/education/ universitysponsorship/

Motormouth App

By MotorMouth Pty Ltd. Helping to save you petrol while running your kids to school and back.

nurture June 2014 19

how you finish it’s more about

by Tammy Tolman

There are so many times as parent when you feel like you fail your kids, and you just wish you were stronger, more selfcontrolled, more wise, more like ... ’God’ really ... Or is that just me! ast week my daughter was having an anxiety attack. She was working her way up to being very distressed and as often happens it was the same day that I had had a difficult day and was feeling like I needed space. She started as she was going to bed and I could see she was getting all worked up. We all know that when we are tired, this is not a time to have a deep conversation.

20 nurture June 2014

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When you collide with others, no one is untouched; it changes everyone who is a part of the collision.

Sometimes this is painful, sometimes it is not, sometimes it is negative, sometimes it is positive, but it always brings change.

As she started, I could feel myself bubbling inside and although I am mid 40s and should know better, I lost it and told her that “I couldn’t do this tonight; she would have to deal with this herself.” I closed the door and went to my room to have space. Now there’s a ‘collision’ of the negative kind.

As I sat in my room thinking what a horrible mum I am, there was a knock on the door. My teenager crept in and looked at me with blood red eyes and said “I am so sorry mummy for upsetting you, I will deal with this myself” and then she left. Now I am feeling even worse, here she is apologising to me, because I lost it and couldn’t be mature enough to be there for my daughter in her anxiety issues.

She needed her mum and I was not there for her. Worse, I told her to go away. Yes, knowing when we need space and being able to regroup to be there for someone else is important at times, but what had I just done to my child?

When you collide with others, no one is untouched; it changes everyone who is a part of the collision. Sometimes this is painful, sometimes it is not, sometimes it is negative, sometimes it is positive,

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collision: to conflict in attitude, opinion, or desire; clash; disagree, to crash together with a violent impact

but it always brings change.

The word collision is defined in The Collin’s English Dictionary simply as: to conflict in attitude, opinion, or desire; clash; disagree, to crash together with a violent impact.

I knew this feeling that night ... but I actually believe that ‘collisions’ can also have the potential to be life transforming experiences that create environments for spiritual growth for all involved.

In physics, collisions refer to the close approach of two or more particles or substances that results in an abrupt change of momentum or exchange of energy. Now that sounds better.

So in that moment I had a choice. I could sit in my room and enjoy my

space alone. I could sit and cry about what a failure of a mother I was or I could grow up, put my own stuff aside, and be there for my daughter the best way I could. In God’s transforming strength, I went into her room and apologized for not being there for her. We hugged and cried. I said very calmly, “Right now, what I can give you is a loving cuddle, a space to feel safe, while we watch something on the TV, but there is to be no talking, just cuddles and re-direction of our emotions, till we have a good night’s sleep and talk about all this in the morning”. We spent the next two hours in silence (anyone who knows my daughter knows how hard that was for her) in each other’s arms, watching a TV show.

That night we both slept well.

Our collision may not have started positive, but it ended well. We were both stronger in ourselves and we are closer to each other for it. There are many times when we shouldn’t run from a ‘collision’, or even berate ourselves for not getting it right the first time. ‘Collisions’ can be messy — always challenging, but if we push into them, I believe we will grow as a result and be transformed because of them. I believe I am a better mum when I say sorry, don’t give up, and remind myself I will not get it right every time. There’s always time for recovery, saying you are sorry, and trying again.

Tammy has been married for 26 years and has two children (17 and 14). She has degrees in both teaching and ministry and has been speaking nationally and internationally about children and families for the past 20 years. She runs camps for kids and mentors adults and young people on a weekly basis. She has published two books, and many other educational resources. She is passionate about creating environments where the generations can collide, believing this a great place to grow and learn. tammytolman.blogspot.com

nurture June 2014 21

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I Am, by Hope Irons

Hope attends Mount Evelyn Christian School, Year 7

I am a child of Christ I am a believer I am a baptised person I don’t care what people think about me I don’t care if people talk behind my back All I care is that...

I AM A CHILD OF CHRIST! 22 nurture June 2014

HOPE irons You’ve inspired us!

Be BOLD, Be B RAVE, Be FREE to exp ress who you are, th rough Christ!

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Circulation 8,750 ISSN 0312-2778 Editor: Anne Blair-Hickman Address for correspondence: Po Box 1892 Penrith NSW 2751 Tel 02 4773 5800 Fax 02 4773 5801 Email: publications@cen.edu.au Website: www.cen.edu.au Advertising, circulation, and subscriptions: Amanda Hottinger amanda.hottinger@cen.edu.au

Design: Taninka Visuals Email: tanya@taninka.com.au Cover image: Brayden Keur, Nepean Christian School Subscription rates - for four issues per year: Single subscriptions: $26.00 (incl. GST) CEN schools bulk subscriptions: $13.20 (incl. GST) Bulk subscriptions: $19.80 (incl. GST) Overseas rates: AUS$35.00 (excl. GST) Publisher: Christian Education National Ltd.

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