6 201
A magazine for parents, teachers, and kids
what does partnering with parents
HANG IN THERE p8
actually look like?
p4
the birds & the bees
How do
we measure
our
TALKING TO OUR CHILDREN ABOUT SEXUALITY
worth?
p18
p16
WATT PAD p12
A journey of discovery MOUNTAIN DISTRICT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Diabetes & Sugar
p10
p21
KIDS’ ZONE
Parenting
p22
and Christian Schools
Mar 2016
$6.50 incl.GST
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Bulk discount: $3.30 incl.GST
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, SUPER THAT S CHANGING THE WORLD MAKE A DIFFERENCE. JOIN ONLINE IN JUST 5 MINUTES! www.christiansuper.com.au
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editorial
Love & Loss
by �nne Blair-Hickman
Most songs written are about love and loss. Love is one of the most powerful human emotions and every parent will face both love and loss throughout their parenting journey. My 16-year-old daughter left home last week to start a new adventure studying agriculture at Tocal College in the Hunter Valley, NSW. She’s passionate about starting a career on a farm. My loss is far outweighed by my joy in seeing her do what she loves. Her shaping at Nepean Christian School is complete . . . her love of learning, passion, Christian worldview, and character will take her through life from this point on, and I feel that she’s well prepared. Praise God. I really enjoyed reading Gabrielle Smith’s article on “How Do We Measure Our Worth?” (p. 16). She highlights how our worth isn’t measured by stamps, stickers, and certificates, or by “comparing our own successes against those of others”. Instead, our worth is seen through the eyes of God. Comforting words which sing a different
song to the one sung by the world. It’s this kind of worldview that makes our schools so special. As parents, we have a responsibility to help our children come to know God and His world so they are prepared for what is to come. Ken Dickens’ article “What Does Partnering with Parents Actually Look Like?” (p. 4) helps us to better understand the concept of parent partnership. I hope that after reading it, you will either be reassured and excited about your current partnership OR want to become more involved with your child’s school.
can”—and through these tough times, God will bring us peace, comfort, hope, and renewed strength. We’ve given Nurture a fresh new look for 2016—something bright, cheerful, and playful; reflective of how our children are on a good day! May God’s peace, love, and strength be with you all, and I pray that—with our school’s help—our children will be bright beacons of God’s light and love in this broken, yet beautiful world.
Finally, Wendy Domingues’ article “Hang in There” (p. 8) is an encouragement to all parents who face trials and difficulties. In times when we feel like we’re just hanging in there, it’s comforting to know that “even if you can’t see what’s around the corner, God
Do you want to contribute? Email: editor@ cen.edu.au
�nne
Are your children seeing the
BIG PICTURE? Some lenses distort the true view of the world
Equipping teachers to help your children see the world through God’s lens
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by Ken Dickens
Many schools talk of 'teachers in partnership with parents'. The challenge is knowing what this looks like in practice.
What does
with
partnering pare
actually loo Can parents be effectively involved in the complex business of modern schooling? If teachers are professionals with a high degree of accountability, shouldn’t parents just leave the task of educating to them? As a professional educator I respond with an emphatic “No!”. Christian education is too important to be left to teachers. I raise four questions which go to the heart of this issue: 1. Why do we highlight parents? 2. Who is in the partnership? 3. What is the partnership for? 4. How do we build a community of partnership?
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1. Why do we highlight parents?
We believe the Bible holds parents responsible for the Godly upbringing of their children. This upbringing is not to be outsourced to others, especially not to those who are not interested in godliness. For some parents this responsibility means they will provide all their child’s education. Yet even in home schooling the expertise and gifting of others is often sought. For other Christian parents this use of others’ gifts is formalised in the establishment of a community of other parents who form a ‘school’. I qualify school because ideally I believe it should look more like parents together in home education than an institution which we may traditionally define as ‘school’.
rents
ook like?
2. Who is in the partnership? In a Christian school community parents do not just partner with other parents and their families. Rather they partner with other Christian communities. These include other Christian schools and the churches represented by parents. This is often the most visible demonstration of Christian unity. Christian Education National (CEN) schools form a powerful partnership between like-minded school communities.
Parents also partner with teachers and staff who are employed to serve parents with their training and qualifications. The vision is for them to assist parents in what God has called them to do. Staff members carry out their service as employees and members of the community. They are not contracted by parents but are in a covenant community with parents! This is one reason why it is essential every staff member of our schools be a committed, growing Christian. Many schools are also blessed to have other people committed to Christian education who don’t have children in the school but simply want to partner with parents to raise their children for the Kingdom of God. www.cen.edu.au
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3. What is the partnership for?
The partnership is to do something radical. It is to educate children in the light of the global good news about Jesus. Gospel education looks at the world and disciplines of knowledge through the lens of the Lordship of Jesus over “all things” (Colossians 1). This is an alternate worldview to the one currently pervading education and schooling. We are not just educating our children so they can eventually make a living. Instead we educate so they can do a living to the full (John 10:10). Our schools may not be totally different from others governed by different worldviews. We all live in the same world ruled by a loving God whether acknowledged or not. God’s truth is uncovered by all sorts of people and good insights into education come from many sources. All children in all schools will be studying the same creation (it’s the only one we have). Yet there will be a radical difference in the way we view this creation; in the purpose for life; in motivation for learning; and in how we use our learning. It is important to be upfront about the purpose of our community with parents seeking to enrol children. Ideally parents will embrace the shared community vision. Parents who cannot yet embrace the vision need to know and accept what it is.
4.How do we build a community of partnership? Seeing parents as members of a covenant community, rather than as clients, should be our goal. The normal client expectations need to be turned upside down. A client asks ‘What’s in it for me and mine?’ The member of a covenant community asks ‘What’s in it for God and His people?’
A Christian learning community seeks first the Kingdom of God in education. Jesus says the other things that we are concerned about will be taken care of. As we seek God’s Kingdom, together in community, we care for the needs of all members. This especially means we diligently and faithfully care for the educational needs of all children within the most conducive learning environment.
Practical implications
I could list a number of things you could do as a Christian parent in your school community—join the association; volunteer to help; become part of a committee; encourage the teachers; pray for the school; stand for board election, etc. However, I think the most practical thing you can do is to change your mindset. See yourself as a member of a community committed to doing something radical . . . taking the gospel seriously in education . . . rather than seeing yourself as a ‘consumer’ of education. You are not buying Christian education so that your children can have the ‘Christian’ good life, but partnering with others so that your children can live the good Christian life.
Dr Ken Dickens has been a primary teacher, secondary teacher, university lecturer, and the CEO of Christian Education National. Currently Ken is principal of the National Institute for Christian Education. The Institute provides professional development and postgraduate courses in teacher education from a biblical perspective. Ken and his wife, Jennie, live in the Blue Mountains, NSW. They have four adult children and a growing number of grandchildren.
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The BRAVE Program BRAVE, recently launched by beyondblue, is a free online program to prevent and treat anxiety in children and young people. Brave offers a child program for ages 8-12 and a teen program for ages 12-17. There is also a parent/caregiver program designed to help parents support their child to manage anxiety. It can be used on any computer or tablet device and includes up to 10 sessions.
Activities include: • anxious body signs and relaxation • activating helpful thoughts • victory over your fears • finding solutions to your problems • rewarding yourself • preparing for the future
Scan the QR code or visit youthbeyondblue.com and search for Brave Program
2016 nurture photo competition beauty, brokenness, building-up Open to all students, parents, and staff ENTRIES CLOSE 31 OCTOBER 2016 Visit www.cen.edu.au to find out more details on the competition
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MoVIES
IN 2016
B ooks becoming
R ead them before you see them BY ANNE BLAIR-HICKMAN
Many of our well-known book characters are coming to life on the big screen this year. It’s a perfect time to encourage your kids to read the book before seeing the movie. The range of movies includes classics, dystopian thrillers, fantasies, and tear-jerking dramas. Of course, we recommend the usual discernment as a parent for age appropriateness and perspectives presented (see the helpful resource at the bottom of this page) for movies and for reading books. You might also find the information on movie ratings helpful on page 20. 1. Allegiant: Divergent, Book 3 by Veronica Roth (in theatres 10th March; targeted to teens). This final instalment in the Divergent series picks up where Insurgent left off. This is part 1, with part 2 scheduled to be released 24th March, 2017. 2. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (in theatres 18th March; targeted to kids). A classic fable about a pilot who meets a young planet-hopping prince in search of knowledge. This is a beautiful story of love, life, and friendship. 3. The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling (in theatres 7th April; targeted to kids). A timeless story about an orphan boy who is raised in the jungle with the help of a pack of wolves, a bear, and a black panther. A Disney movie. 4. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (in theatres 2nd June; targeted to teens). A girl in a small town forms an unlikely bond with a recently paralysed man she’s taking care of. He’s bent on assisted suicide, while she aims to give him something to live for. 5. The BFG by Roald Dahl (in theatres 1st July; targeted to kids). A popular choice for beginning chapter-book readers, The BFG is a fun fantasy about a Big Friendly Giant who blows dreams into children’s minds. Steven Spielberg directs. 6. Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs (in theatres 1st July; targeted to teens). A classic novel about a boy raised by apes in the jungle. The movie The Legend of Tarzan sees Tarzan, having acclimatised to life in London, returning to his former home in the jungle to investigate the activities at a mining encampment.
7. Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts (in theatres 7th October; targeted to kids).This popular book is about Rafe who is trying to creatively survive middle school. 8. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (in theatres 13th October; targeted to teens). A giant yew tree haunts a boy dealing with his mother’s terminal illness in this moving story of love and loss. 9. Fantastical Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling (in theatres 18th November; targeted to kids). Rowling’s short book (adapted as Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) purports to be a Hogwarts textbook that describes various magical creatures but doesn’t tell a story. Rowling has been working with Warner Brothers on the movie which is the first in a trilogy. It is about the adventures of writer, Newt Scamander, who lives in New York’s secret community of witches and wizards . . . 70 years before Harry Potter reads his book in school.
Check out Common Sense Media for advice on themes and content: commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews www.cen.edu.au
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Hang
in
ther
by Wendy Domingues
After a difficult few months, my husband and I took our girls—Grace and Lydia to Dubbo Zoo. I was really looking forward to the break as Lydia had recently been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of nine. I didn’t see that coming! She was now having five injections of insulin a day and my life had gone from a relative ‘normal’ to a blurred whirlwind as I learnt how to look after my daughter. Sleep deprivation was my new norm as I adjusted to waking through the night to give her insulin shots and test her levels. At work I would have to sleep during my lunch hour just to get through the day and the upcoming night. It’s amazing how you can go from feeling like you’ve got it all under control, to having your whole life turned upside down—and holding onto God’s promises in the middle of a storm isn’t easy. 8 nurture March 2016
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The girls had a great time during our trip away, but it was somewhat marred by having to give my poor Lydia 12 injections at the zoo as her diabetes was particularly bad that day. The break was not as restful as I was hoping. That night on the news in our hotel room, we heard it was snowing nearby, so we decided to go home via Oberon to hopefully play in the snow. When we got there, it was indeed snowing and the girls had a great time, playing in the snow, building a snowman, and throwing snowballs at each other. They were oblivious to the fact I had crossed the road and was standing silently, praying to our great God who is bigger than all of our problems put together. I inwardly pleaded for some hope that things would get better, that life wouldn’t always be so hard, that I wouldn’t always be so tired, that my marriage wouldn’t always be strained. Behind me I could hear my beautiful girls giggling, as I told God I would
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re always hold on to Him, even if it was by a thread, I would always hold on.
As I lifted my eyes from the ground to the scene in front of me, I stood in awe of the beauty of God’s creation. There was something magical about the snow-laden treetops and the canvas of white which stretched along the sides of the road. My eyes traced the line of the road which curved in the distance. As with my life, I could only see so far ahead. I couldn’t see what was around the corner. At that moment, God silently spoke to me and said, “Hang in there”. All at once I had an incredible deep sense of hope, peace, comfort, and renewed strength. God gave me a beautiful ‘knowing’ that I would always be His child and He would always be my loving Father—and that He knew what was around the corner. I had tears in my eyes from the deepest sense of love that I have ever felt.
At that moment, God silently spoke to me and said, “Hang in there”. All at once I had an incredible deep sense of hope, peace, comfort, and renewed strength www.cen.edu.au
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As mums and dads, we can become overwhelmed by the unexpected nature of family life. We need to hang in there, because even if you can’t see what’s around the corner, God can. If you are struggling, lift your eyes from the ground and take hold of the hope you have in God and the good things that are around the corner and “Hang in there”.
Wendy Domingues has two children who attend Nepean Christian School, in Mulgoa NSW. She is passionate about encouraging people in the gifts and talents that God has given them. She loves seeing people happy and laughing. Wendy works at CEN and is currently personal assistant to Michelle Dempsey. Her biggest privilege is that of being a mother.
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By Erin Bennett & Janita Bratton
Mountain District Christian School
At Mountain District Christian School (MDCS), we nurture and develop our students' gifts and interests. We're passionate about educating our students from a biblical perspective, with the desire that they learn about God's world, their place in it, and how they can respond through service in their daily lives. So, “What does a Mountain District Christian School student look like?” This is the question we as a staff have been unpacking with our students this year. We wanted students to know and understand that we are God’s image-bearers, each uniquely gifted with a calling to be community engagers, sharing the hope of Christ. With this in mind, we launched a Community Day at the start of 2015 celebrating what an MDCS student looks like. For six months leading up to the day, we held several brainstorming sessions in teaching teams across primary and secondary sections of the school. Each time we met, our ideas were refined until we arrived at four questions encapsulating our vision for the students and their learning. With the vision set, we began to train our older students and gave them responsibility to lead the younger students at the Community Day, which we decided would be on the first day back at school. After all, what happens first, matters! 10 nurture March 2016
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As students settled into their first day of school, our principal posed the overarching question to all students: “What does an MDCS student look like?” He then explored this question focusing on, “Who are we?”, “What is our role?”, and “How do we respond?” This set the scene for what was to follow.
1. Who are we?
Our hope in investigating this question was that students would better develop a self-image of who they are in Christ which would lead to valuing each other as imagebearers of God. It has been exciting to see how different classes across the school have We split the students into approached the notion of who we are. Some multi-age groups across the wrestled with discerning the difference between school. Year 12 students led who God says they are and who the world says the younger ones; a student led they are. Others were challenged to look the presentation; we held team past their physical characteristics and games in a park and had lunch what they do to examine their This is an interesting question, as it moves with parents. It was a memorable identity in Jesus. our eyes away from ourselves and begins to way to launch the year. investigate how we operate in a community as we The Community Day exceeded search for truth, share our learning, and serve each expectations. A highlight of the day was other. For some, recognising that as a student, they the presentation of the students’ responses have an active role to play has produced some thoughtto what they thought an MDCS student looks provoking discussion. One class began unpacking this like. There were 3D models, pictures, plays, and question by participating in an obstacle course. One even movies. The involvement of all students was, student was blindfolded while another gave directions. in part, a credit to the VCE students who lead the Students then identified the role of the blindfolded multi-age groups in creating and presenting their idea. student, the role of the guide, and the role of the Responses from younger students, such as, “I learnt that rest of the class who watched. From there, they are not so scary” (a reference to older students), students were easily able to identify their were a testament to the care and sincere role as a friend, as a student, and as engagement of all our senior students. a team member. Finishing the Community Day with team initiative games and a picnic lunch in the park was a beautiful way to celebrate community and develop This question provokes action. After gifts, teamwork, leadership, and investigating who we are and what our trust. responsibilities are, we will zoom in to look at
2. What is our role?
3. How do we respond?
The rest of the year has been a practical response to what we have covered in spent unpacking the other three terms 1, 2, and 3. James 2:17 spurs us to action, “. . questions. At the beginning . faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is of each term a different dead”. Wrestling over ways to respond to what we have question has been introduced established throughout the year is important in raising in assembly and every second up students who seek justice and mercy and are week, in our class meeting time, beacons of hope to those around them. we have focused on the question We are excited by what we have seen so far and for that term with our students. are looking forward to seeing how responses to Interesting discussions have all of these questions encourage students sparked as teachers have worked to seek a path of serving God now with their students to investigate what and in their future. an MDCS student looks like.
Erin Bennett teaches Year 3/4 at Mountain District Christian School. In her spare time she loves hiking, kayaking, and exploring the outdoors with her friends.
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MOUNTAIN DISTRICT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL • Prep to Year 12 • Set in picturesque bushland near Monbulk in the Dandenong Ranges • Approx. 300 students
Janita Bratton is a Year 5/6 class teacher and deputy principal at Mountain District Christian School. She is married to Russell and enjoys gardening and spending time with family and friends.
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You & Me series
tweens
wattp by anna moore
science fiction, adventure, poetry, fan fiction, fantasy, non-fiction, romance, action,
classic,
mystery,
historical, Thriller, Humour, teen fiction, short story
What if you could publish your writing without ever having to enter the offices of Penguin or Bloomsbury? Imagine having the power to pen a different path for your favourite character or change the outcome of a classic text. You could write a happier childhood for Harry Potter where his parents didn’t die (The Philosopher’s Stone) or cure Hazel’s cancer (The Fault in our Stars). Wattpad is an app that allows writers to shape, change, or extend their favourite fiction or create new hybrids or fiction, as well as enabling readers to feast on fiction created by others. 12 nurture March 2016
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Watt about criticism? Writers receive ongoing feedback on their writing. This is a powerful element of Wattpad as the readers (and their feedback) are as ‘real’ as an actual author’s. The readers aren’t your friends, family, or teachers. Sometimes the comments on your work can be encouraging but most of the time it is critical. This can range from a gentle correction of your grammar to disheartening comments on the quality of your writing or sledging about the direction of your story. There is an option to report comments but negative comments are rarely removed unless they are threatening or contain bad language.
tpad Watt is it? The short story . . .
Wattpad enables anyone to become an author. Users can type their stories and instantly share them publicly online. Wattpad isn’t just for fanfiction—mystery, thriller, romance, or any type of genre can be published online through Wattpad. Wattpad is the ultimate reading and writing online community. It boasts 100 million stories to read with 40 million members—wattpadders. On Wattpad, users can read other people’s work and comment— giving them feedback, encouragement, and sometimes criticism. Wattpad is easy to use and has an attractive interface. It can be accessed on both a personal computer and devices. This makes it a very available (and free) personal library. Any chapter of a book you have started reading can be used without Internet connection too.
Watt about creativity? Wattpad is a great app to express your creativity. It provides would-be authors a taste of what it would be like to publish a real book. There is the option to upload covers for your ‘book’. You are also able to write advertising blurbs and notices to your followers marketing your new writing. You can attract a real audience, who ‘follow’ you as an author. You can receive acclaim through the Wattpad voting system. Popular authors can even win the ‘Wattys’ and have a fancy icon attached to their cover (think Publishing Grammys or Nobel Prize for Online Literature). www.cen.edu.au
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Watt about content concerns?
There are many entertaining stories on Wattpad but some are badly written and contain inappropriate language and content. There is no filter on what is published or monitoring regarding the appropriate reading age of published work. I enjoyed Wattpad and was very careful to only choose to read works that were ‘clean’, however, I frequently stumbled across content that disturbed me. Even the recommended 13+ age limit would not be appropriate for some of the content I encountered. Writers can classify their writing as ‘mature’ but (in my experience) this feature is rarely used. Readers can get invested in characters and their journey when the plot can become unexpectedly sexual or violent. Any avid reader knows how difficult it is to put down a book that you have become attached to. I faced this very real temptation many times when I was reading Wattpad. I ultimately decided to delete the app rather than have to abruptly stop reading or read content I later regretted.
Watt about copyright? Many books on Wattpad are beautifully written. Descriptions are vivid and the plots are gripping. These books risk being stolen and published in someone else’s name. (Which I have said would be a huge compliment, but my mum has pointed out that I won’t enjoy any of the credit.)
Watt’s the verdict? Due to the unfiltered nature of Wattpad, this app could be dangerous for users who do not have rigid self-control and a keen sense of what is an appropriate literary diet. As a writer, positive feedback can be intoxicating and negative comments, destructive. We can’t ‘unread’ what our eyes have accidently consumed. For me, I decided that—at this stage in my life—the risk of encountering toxic writing on Wattpad outweighed the many aspects of this app that I enjoyed. I hit ‘delete’.
Anna Moore attends Nepean Christian School. If she is not curled up in her favorite chair with her nose in a book, she is scribbling notes for her next novel. She is committed to living out her whole life—including the tween years—in a way that brings glory to God.
Wattpad followers can private message each other and can post comments on your page for everyone to see. This poses potential internet safety and child protection issues. It also means people can be very hurtful without warning or consequence. nurture March 2016 13
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news CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NATIONAL
From Michelle Dempsey, CEO I wonder if you had the chance to ‘get away from it all’ in the holidays? We camped in a tent that could have come out of the Bible and enjoyed wind, rain, and sunshine in southern Victoria. Being outdoors, immersed in God’s magnificent creation is such good food for the soul. It is my prayer that this year we would continue to work ‘stronger together’ as parents, teachers, board members, students, office staff, grounds staff, friends, and family as we seek to further the restoration of God’s Kingdom through faithful service in Christian education. I’m excited! There have been a number of changes across our schools and many are welcoming new principals to the helm. It’s a big deal for a new principal to start and everyone is keen to ensure that he or she is the ‘right fit’ for the school. Can I encourage you to pray for the leaders who have taken up the challenge to serve in your community? Pray for wisdom, understanding, and grace. Our principals and other executive leaders will be gathering at our 2016 Executives Conference in March. This is a wonderful opportunity for fellowship, networking, and growth. This year back in the National Office we have a couple of changes, including the appointment of Anne Blair-Hickman to the role of office manager. Anne’s name is familiar to you as she is currently the editor of this wonderful magazine. Don’t worry, Anne will continue on as editor, but has added another three days of work on to her time in the office to manage it for us. Have a great start to the year.
Cheers, Michelle
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NEW PRINCIPALS: • Matt Patterson (previously Rivergum College, SA) appointed to Mid North Christian College, SA. • Gregg Smith (Tyndale Christian School, SA) appointed to Rivergum College, SA • Adrian Bosker (previously Calvin Christian School, Primary, TAS) appointed to Launceston Christian School, TAS. • Petrina Essex (previously Calvin Christian School, Primary, TAS) appointed to Northern Christian School, TAS. • Keith Roberts (previously Brindabella Christian College, ACT) appointed to Channel Christian School, TAS • Erik Hofsink (previously Launceston Christian School) appointed to Emmaus Christian School, ACT • Ian Shaw (previously Nepean Christian School, NSW) appointed to Kuyper Christian School, NSW • Dan Clarke (Strathalbyn Christian College, WA) appointed to Annandale Christian College, QLD • Mike Vos (previously Nhulunbuy Christian College, NT) appointed as Interim Principal to Devonport Christian School, TAS • David Gleeson (previously Maranatha Christian School, VIC) appointed to Melton Christian College, VIC • Brett Munro (previously QLD school Toowoomba ) appointed to Glenvale Christian School • John Clark (previously Queanbeyan High School ) appointed to Deniliquin Christian School • Chad Schmidt (currently Donvale Christian College) appointed to Devonport Christian School We also note that the following schools have announced the following changes for 2016: • Mr Ross Grace, principal of Donvale Christian College will be leaving and taking up the role of principal of Heathdale Christian College in Victoria from 3rd term. • Mr Doug Peck from Plenty Valley Christian College will be finishing up after 25 years of service as principal to PVCC at the end of the year. • Mr Rob Bray will be concluding his time as principal of Chairo Christian School at the end of this year.
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growingfaith.com.au/store
SHOP
CH R I S T I A N CAMPS First faith commitment / conversion
Top 5 activities in coming to faith
59%
% most significant in helping come to faith 18%
Church
17%
Religious Youth ed/Scripture group
11%
17%
Church camp
Sunday school
5th camps
Ahead of... For 1 in 10, Church camps were Evangelistic event Confirmation the most significant in coming School Christian group Small group to faith. This is ahead of... Church outreach Introductory series Mission group 15-29 year olds This figure rises to 3 in 10 for 15-29 year olds. Church camps are the 3rd most significant for this generation (ahead of Sunday school & small groups)
Top 5 most influencial in faith shaping (15-29 yr olds) 66%
Mother
57%
Father
3
rd
Minister
28%
Youth leader
19%
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47% That’s nearly half!
2x
Church attendance weekly
2x
Devotional practice daily
3x
Importance of God in life most important
2x
Leadership ministry role
14% 8%
Impact of Christian camps
57% “Strengthened faith” “Made Bible College / other decision” “Responded to ministry / mission call”
YET... 2 in 3 church goers have not attended a camp in the last 2 years!
Peers/ friends
For the full report or more information on planning your next camp visit christianvenues.org.au/impact
www.cen.edu.au
Camp attendance results in...
camps
After parents, the top 3 influencers are inherent in the Christian camp experience
36%
Of those who have attended a camp, conference or spiritual retreat, it was very important to the first faith commitment / conversion for...
Source: ABS, NCLS, McCrindle BROUGHT TO YOU BY
INFOGRAPHIC BY
POWERED BY
christianvenues.org.au
mccrindle.com.au
researchvisualisation.com
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As
is common, over the Christmas break we spent a substantial amount of time at our local shopping centre. One Thursday evening while we were looking for one of the many gifts for our family, we noticed two people dressed as elves on stilts. No doubt they were part of the Christmas marketing the centre had adopted to direct us towards the Santa photos. Instantly, my daughter hid behind me trying to avoid them coming towards us. When they reached us they exclaimed that they were Santa’s helpers looking for good boys and girls. They asked me if I had been good, to which I replied positively, and I was given a green sticker. They pronounced my daughter as a good girl and she was given a green sticker. However, my son was told he had been naughty this year and was given a red sticker.
We start to see our worth through the eyes of others and not through God’s eyes. Thankfully, my son is old enough that he did not take it to heart, but he was a bit annoyed that they had made such a judgement about him without knowing him at all. It reminded us of the well-loved picture book, You Are Special by Max Lucado. This is the story of a community of little wooden people who measure the successes of others by giving positive or negative stickers— stars if you are a good wooden person or dots if you are bad. Punchinello is disheartened as he doesn’t have any stars, only dots. He cares so much about what the others think of him
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and how he will earn their approval, or stars, until he meets Eli, the woodcarver, who helps him see that it doesn’t matter whether he has dots or stars. Eli says, “You are special because I made you. And I don’t make mistakes.” This strange moment in the shopping centre became an opportunity to discuss how special we are as children of God.
In reality we all measure our own successes against those of others. Our stars are likes on Facebook or compliments on our beautiful house or attractive new clothes. The stars for our kids are similar, invitations to birthday parties, merit certificates, or sporting trophies. We start to see our worth through the eyes of others and not through God’s eyes. This is particularly pertinent at Christmas time when we are so consumed with appearances and possessions. My husband and I find this is a particularly difficult time for our primaryaged children, when materialism rears its ugly head. We have found them comparing the presents others are given with their own. Or after a play at a friend’s house, saying, “I wish we had a pool like they do”. Or, “How come our house isn’t as big as theirs?” As the holidays end and school looms, anxieties about their academic strengths rise once again to the surface. “What if I don’t move up a reading group?”, or “How come we have to learn times tables? Everyone else is better than me.” The playground can be a difficult place for children as they compare themselves with others. Children can be blunt and your kids may find others give them many ‘dots’ and those dots may stick, sometimes staying with them for many years. Max Lucado uses the metaphor of Eli the woodcarver to represent our heavenly Father.
measure
How do we
by Gabrielle Smith
www.cen.edu.au
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God says, “Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think" Romans 12:2 God, our Creator, is referred to in the Bible as the potter who moulds and shapes us into the people we need to be to fulfil His purposes. Romans 9:20-21 says, “But who are you, a mere human, to question God? Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ Or has the potter no right over the clay, to make from the same lump one piece of pottery for special purposes and some for common use?” Time spent with the woodcarver, or for us The Potter, allows us to see ourselves as those formed by Him. We should not question the way we were made or the gifts that we do or don’t have. In Lucado’s book the time Punchinello spends with his creator helps him to care less about the stickers and subsequently they cease to stick. Eli says, “The stickers only stick if they matter to you. The more you trust my love, the less you care about the stickers.” God says, “Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2). That is my new year’s resolution for myself and my children.
Reference Lucado, M . (1997). You are special. Illinois: Good News Publishers.
Gabrielle has taught as a secondary English teacher at Covenant Christian School for six years. She is married to Lincoln and Mum to Cole and Macy who now attend the same school. She is passionate about pastoral care—serving as an assistant for Year 7 in 2016.
our worth? www.cen.edu.au
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Can you remember that awkward moment when your child asked you where they came from? Or when they became embarrassed at the site of you in your underwear, and squirmed if they saw someone kiss in a movie! The big question is always, “When should I start talking about sexuality?”. One thing for sure is that it’s better for us to have the talk with our children BEFORE they learn about it from their peers or from cultural story-telling. My prayer is that my children will understand what sex is about in the context of God’s good design for sex.
10 guidelines for talking to your children about sex 1. BELIEFS BEFORE BIOLOGY.
4. DON'T THINK OF IT AS 'THE TALK'. It’s not one talk that you tick off as done then put your feet up and relax. It needs to be frequent and ongoing.
5. HONOUR YOUR CHILD'S QUESTIONS. No matter how awkward the question (or unsavoury) give a response in such a way that doesn’t mean that they will be less willing to raise all things with you in the future.
In all of your discussions, take the opportunity to talk about God’s design and purpose for sex. Avoid the temptation, in your awkwardness, of going straight to mechanics and function.
6. LOOK FOR TEACHABLE OPPORTUNITIES.
2. BE HONEST. If you are feeling a little
7. NON FACE-TO-FACE ACTIVITIES. One of the benefits of car conversations is that you are not face-to-face. Washing up together or walking round the block etc. can be helpful in easing the awkwardness.
uncomfortable about the discussion, it can be helpful to be honest and acknowledge your uncomfortableness.
3. BE PROACTIVE. Don’t wait for your child to ask the questions. Plan when you are going to do it and follow through. Stay ahead of the sexuality education that may unfold in the ‘playground’. 18 nurture March 2016
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Sometimes the best discussions happen ‘on the run’. When opportunities come, grab them. One of the best I have found is when things come on the radio in the car (news reports or song lyrics etc.).
to know about menstruation and girls need to know about wet dreams etc. They will hear about these things and it’s best that you have been the one to introduce them.
9. MUMS AND DADS INVOLVED. Just as you talk about both genders, both parents should be able to feely speak about gender issues. Of course there is a level of detail that dads are best suited to talk to sons about, and mums to daughters, but for the more general issues, both should be talking freely. This is then tricky for single parents or where the other parent does not share the same Christian faith—is there a trusted adult friend you can call upon?
10. PRAY. Pray for your children. Pray for the discussions that you will have with them. Pray with them as part of the discussions—pray with thanksgiving and celebration about sexuality, gender, and family.
8. TALK ABOUT BOTH GENDERS. Don’t just limit your discussion about ‘boy issues’ for your sons and vice versa. Boys need www.cen.edu.au
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T
ou o t g alkin ch
10 things your children should know about sexuality
y t i l a u x e b s o a t u ildren by Chris Parker
Sex is far more about self-sacrifice than it is about the relief of biological or psychological urges. This is a significantly different message to what is told by our culture—point this out to them.
5. SEX IS LINKED TO CHILDREN, PARENTING, AND FAMILY. Sex between a male and a 1. SEX IS GOOD. It’s part of God’s good design but it’s not ultimate—even though our culture pushes this message.
2. SEX HAS DESIGN BOUNDARIES. Our culture shouts that consent is the only boundary. The Bible reveals God’s good design for sex as being within a marriage between man and woman— this is where ultimate sexual freedom is to be found.
3. TALK ABOUT SEX. Teach your children that it’s OK to talk about sex. Why not? Sex is good. However, it should always be done in a way that gives it the dignity, respect, and honour that it deserves as a beautiful thing designed by God (often sex-talk by teenagers is far from edifying).
4. SEX IS RELATIONAL. By its design, it is intimately and profoundly relational. www.cen.edu.au
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female always carries the potential to produce a family and two parents! This is God’s design and therefore sex should only occur in the context where this can be embraced—marriage.
6. SEX AND SEXUALITY DOES NOT DEFINE YOU. There is no doubt that God has created us to be sexual beings. However, this part of who we are is only one part of many. Our sexuality is far from our primary identity. This is also an extremely counter-cultural message.
7. CELIBACY IS OK. Not having sex for parts, or all, of your life is fine. Celibacy has never killed anyone, has never harmed anyone, or even reduced anyone’s potential to live a richly fulfilling life!
8. YOU ARE MORE THAN YOUR BODY. Significantly more. Our culture often suggests otherwise. God has designed you as a whole person. So don’t think
of yourself as anything less. Don’t let yourself be treated as anything less.
9. OTHER PEOPLE ARE NOT OBJECTS. Online games, social media, music videos, advertising, etc. often don’t give the full story about other people. All humans are designed and made in the image and likeness of God and should be thought of with the dignity that comes with that— they are not objects for our amusement, ego, lusts, or service.
10. YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE IS TO BRING GLORY TO GOD. This includes the expression of your sexuality.
Chris is passionate about helping children to see the world through the gospel of the Lord Jesus. He is currently a lecturer and speaker with the National Institute for Christian Education and on the executive team of CEN. Chris and his wife, Coco, live in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. They have two children and a growing collection of ukuleles.
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g Movie ratin s I by Anne Blair-Hickman
As accessibility to watching movies widens through Netflix and other streaming services, our children are potentially exposed to messages, themes, and alternative stories which can impact their view of the world, especially if watched unsupervised (which is easier for our children to do with the popularity of portable devices these days). As parents, we are typically guided by the movie classifications such as G, PG, and M ratings. However, even with viewer classifications, there are important things to note. The United States classification of movies is slightly different to Australia. Both countries have G and PG ratings, but instead of having an MA15+ or M rating for children over 15 years old, they have PG-13 and R ratings. The PG-13 rating states “PG-13 (parents strongly cautioned) – some material may be inappropriate for children under 13”. It’s easy to wash over the words “strongly cautioned”, but we should take heed.
you would have squirmed in your seat as foul language and sexual content interjected throughout the movie. Even my kids were shocked at various scenes. We all agreed that these exceeded “The content is mild in impact” descriptor. Here are two websites which help parents limit the unexpected surprises when watching movies with their families: childrenandmedia.org.au/movie-reviews/ commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews AUSTRALIA AND US MOVIE CLASSIFICATIONS GUIDE Country
Australia
Age 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 G MA15+ R18+ PG M X18+ R18
US
G PG
PG-13
R
NC-17
We are all different, and have varying degrees of what is acceptable and not acceptable It’s easy to be blindly guided by the so-called ‘experts’ such as the Classification Board. These people have made judgements as to whether the content is mild in impact based on their worldview. We are all different, and have varying degrees of what is acceptable and not acceptable, of what should be deemed as “mild in impact” or “moderate in impact”. I recently watched the movie Pixels with my family. The Classification Board in Australia rated the movie as PG, which states “The content is mild in impact”. If you have already watched this movie, I’m sure
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h
Glucose, Honey, Invert sugar, Lactose, Malt syrup, Maltose, Maple syrup, Molasses, Panocha, Rice syrup, Sorghum syrup, Sucrose, Treacle
Agave nectar, Barley malt, Beet sugar,
health tip As a mother of a child with Type 1 diabetes, I’v e become much more aware of sugar in all of its forms and how it affects the body. People think kids with Type 1 diabetes got it because they ate too much sugar or are unhealthy. This is simply untrue. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that affects the pancreas. It means your pancreas does not produce any insulin anymore. Insulin is needed to allow glucose to enter our cells and give us energy. Without it, the glucose just floats around in our system and makes us very sick—and can be fatal. People with Type 1 diabetes can eat everything that everyone else eats, they just need to give themselves enough insulin by way of injection or a pump to cover for the carbohydrates in that food and constantly monitor what level their blood sugar is.
‘Low in sugar’ snack ideas for kids lunchboxes: * Popcorn * Corn on the cob * Muffins * Hommus * Cheese & Crackers
www.cen.edu.au
* Apples * Pretzels * Cherry tomatoes * Celery * Cucumber * Strawberries
How many teaspoons of sugar in: • 1 can of Coke = 9.5 teaspoons • 1 orange = 6 teaspoons • 1 apple = 6 teaspoons • 1 banana = 4.5 teaspoons • 1 peach = 3.5 teaspoons • 1 Snickers bar = 7.5 teaspoons • 1 small bag Skittles = 11.5 teaspoons • 1 fresh corn on the cob = 1.5 teaspoons • 1 7-Eleven large cola Slurpee = 22.5 teaspoons • 1 McDonald’s medium chocolate shake = 28 teaspoons
Type 2 diabetes and teens with A little sugar each day as is different. A Type 2 diabetes part of a healthy diet is OK. Sugar person with it still use diet, should be less than 10% of the total produces insulin exercise, and but the body medicine to energy intake each day. That means if you doesn’t respond improve their have a 600ml bottle of soft drink, you to it normally. blood sugar will have had more than your daily Glucose is less levels. allowance already as it will able to enter the As our culture cells and supply contain between 12 and 15 becomes busier energy, causing and processed teaspoons of sugar. blood sugar to rise, food is so readily making the pancreas available, sugar is produce even more affecting us and our insulin. Over time the pancreas children more than it ever has. can wear out from working overtime to We are as a nation more overweight, produce more insulin and may no longer have an increased diagnosis of Type 2 be able to produce enough insulin to diabetes, and show an increase in tooth keep blood sugar levels normal. Kids decay. nurture March 2016 21
Blackstrap molasses, Caramel, Buttered syrup, Carob syrup, Corn syrup, Dextrose, Crystalline fructose, Dextran, Ethyl maltol,
some Other names for sugar: Cane juice crystals,
Evaporated Fruit juice, Diatase, Fructose, cane juice, Fruit juice concentrate, Galactose, Golden syrup,
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STAR WARS FUN FACTS 1. The sound of the TIE fighter engines is actually the sound of an elephant call mixed with the sounds of a car driving on wet pavement. 2. Many of the buildings constructed to be used in shots of Tatooine are still standing in Tunisia. In fact, some of them are still used by locals. 3. Luke Skywalker was originally going to be named Luke Starkiller, and retained the name up until the film began shooting. Luckily, the name was never mentioned, so it was changed to Skywalker with little effort. 4. The Jawa language is based on a sped-up version of the Zulu language. www.buzzfeed.com/awesomer/factsyou-probably-didnt-know-about-thestar-wars-movies#.dslBvaN0z
Q: How many Sith Lords does it take to change a lightbulb? A: None, because they prefer it a little on the dark side
www.cen.edu.au
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Here are a couple of our favourite entries from 2o15
Name: Holly Nichols Age: 15 School: Richmond Christian College I took this photo in my Aunty’s garden. It represents how life is never static—we all change and grow with grace. Life is short and fleeting and we are all vulnerable and delicate. We are all beautiful in God’s eyes.
Name: Grace Domingues Age: 12 School: Nepean Christian School Category: Single Entry This photo was taken out of the window of the car as we were passing Hen and Chicken Bay, which is near my Pa’s house. I took this picture because I loved the reflection of the buildings and the trees and the sky on the water. This photo reflects God’s beauty, as His creation can be seen everywhere, on the land and in the sea.
For details of the Nurture 2o16 Photo Competition, go to cen.edu.au/ photographic_competition
2o15
PHOTO
COMPETITION
Beauty, Brokenness, Building-up
Circulation 9,000 ISSN 0312-2778
Design: Taninka Visuals Email: tanya@taninka.com.au
Editor: Anne Blair-Hickman
Cover image: istockphoto
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
Subscription rates - for four issues per year: Single subscriptions: $28.00 (incl. GST) CEN schools bulk subscriptions: $15.00 (incl. GST) Bulk subscriptions: $24.00 (incl. GST) Overseas rates: AUS$35.00
Advertising, circulation, and subscriptions: Anne Blair-Hickman, anne.blair-hickman@cen.edu.au Printer: Signs Publishing
www.cen.edu.au
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Publisher: Christian Education National Ltd.
Copyright: All material appearing in Nurture is copyright. It may be reproduced in part for study or training purposes subject to an inclusion of an acknowledgement of the source and with permission of the publisher. Publications committee: Managing Editor: Chris Parker Editor: Anne Blair-Hickman Committee: Margaret Aitchison, Neil Pierson, Amy Moore. Editorial policy: 1. To challenge Christian parents to a fuller and deeper responsibility towards the training and education of their children.
2. To bring before the Christian community the compelling claims of Christ-centred education which supports parents in this task. The opinions expressed in editorials, articles, reviews, letters, and advertising are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of Christian Education National Ltd. Letters to the editor are invited: letters may be edited to meet editorial requirements. All advertising/ editorial copy may be edited, condensed, or refused for publication. Anonymous contributions will not be published.
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