Leadership News
Learn to Love Properly
“Relationships, even with people we like, permanently and precariously live on the precipice of disintegration. They are only possible in the context of love, which in turn can only be sustained in the context of another relationship – with the triune God.”
Aaron B. Franzen an associate professor of sociology at Hope College recently wrote a blog in which he stated that “Relationships, even with people we like, permanently and precariously live on the precipice of disintegration. They are only possible in the context of love, which in turn can only be sustained in the context of another relationship – with the triune God.”
To provide some context to this statement Aaron believes that we create fabrications of people and we use these fabricated constructs when we communicate and interact with them. The problem is that these fabrications are wrong and leads us relate to others as objects rather than people, which causes problems.
To explore this concept Aaron used his experience of the COVID lockdowns to explain how his own picture of a friend changed. He shared that, being separated for a long time in combination with complications communicating Aaron fabricated a version of his friend that did not fully exist in real life.
Aaron describes a similar process that happens when people comment online. Aaron argues that often those who are commenting on an online post have fabricated a perception (a distorted perception) of the person and respond (often personally) to the person rather than responding to the content of the post itself. They assume they know the person. It’s a subtle distinction but one that I think is worth consideration.
Interestingly Aaron notes that “We quickly notice when others distort who we are but seem stubbornly unable to clearly recognize the tendency within ourselves to do the same to them. The challenge is that it is very hard to disconfirm warped perceptions of others.”
This observation provided the bases for the underlying problem. Nobody likes it when people have a distorted picture of them and they respond accordingly. It is this reality, in which we find the clear and unequivocal call to love others and the subsequent challenge to not just love others, but to love them properly.
The problem for us is that as we seek to love our neighbour, much of the time this conversion of people to objectified objects is invisible. Particularly with those we do not know or those we do not like. The truth is that we must strive to find a way to see persons as created in the image of God and not the lazy objectified fractal of a person we so often see.
The good news is that there is good news. The capacity to express a love to others in its completeness can be achieved and at the risk of being cliched, the answers is Jesus. We need Jesus Christ to reshape the way we see, conceptualise and respond to others.
This reshaping can only be found through repentance and the subsequent renewal of our identity in and through Jesus Christ. Without the transformation found in Christ our predisposition toward the objectification of others can never be fully corrected. And we are worse for it.
Blessings,
Mr Andrew Manning, Principal
Staff News
Welcomes
We would like to warmly welcome Mr Colin Leung to the Administration team as Finance Controller and Mr James Inglis our new Senior Science Technician.
Farewells
Open Day will be the final day for Mr Ben Williams, our Administration Manager. Ben started at the College in late 2014 and has served faithfully, originally as the Community Development Officer, moving to HR and Administration Manager, and a valued member of the College Senior Leadership Team.
Ben brought his wealth of experience and his sense of humour, often the unknown instigator of cheeky signs around the office. Ben has proven to be a faithful worker, a trustworthy colleague and a good friend. We will miss him very much, but know that God has called him to his new role in Queensland, and will continue to bless him and his family as they follow the Lord into this new adventure.
Open Day
You are cordially invited to share Our annual Open Day which will be held this Saturday 6 May from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. It is a wonderful opportunity to invite people you know to experience what a Christian Education at the College could look like for their family. We hope to see you there.
Cross Country
The Whole school Cross Country carnival will be held next Tuesday 9 May. Come and support your children, or even join with them for a run around the course. Please see all the details in the relevant school newsletter sections.
Whole School Assembly
Last Monday 1 May we held our first Whole School Assembly for Term 2. Miss Laura Scouller and Miss Paris Farr were presented with a Certificate of Achievement in recognition of the official certification awarded from the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
We love having families join us for our Whole School Assemblies. The next one will be Monday 29 May at 9am in the K-Block Gym.
My Christian School Website
Bayside Christian College values the genuine faith of its staff. However, the Australian Law Reform Commission has released a consultation paper which would prevent schools like ours from choosing staff for their active lived faith. My Christian Schools website has been launched in association with the Australian Association of Christian Schools because it's time they heard from some actual parents—like you!
If you value the contribution of Christian staff and teachers, this is your opportunity to have your voice heard. Please visit MyChristianSchool.au and send a message to your MP about the difference Christian teachers and staff make in our school.
Blessings,
Mrs Toni Steinbergs, DeputyPrincipal
College Fee Payments
Half-Yearly and Term 3 Fee Payments are due on or before Friday 12 May. Please ensure your payment is received by the due date. Fees form an integral part of managing budgets and cash flow. If your circumstances change or you wish to alter your current payment arrangement, please contact the Finance Manager at the earliest opportunity.
Mrs Helen Spink, Finance Manager
Current Vacancies
Human Resources Officer
Bayside Christian College is seeking to appoint a suitably skilled and experienced Human Resources Officer for an immediate start.
The role is permanent part-time, with a time fraction of 0.4 FTE, 15.2 hours per week during school terms, to be worked over two-three days per week.
Learning Assistants
Bayside Christian College is seeking to appoint Learning Assistants (also known as Teacher Aides) to fill a number of part-time (one to five days per week during school hours) vacancies in our Primary School. The role of Learning Assistants is to support the inclusion of students with a range of needs into school activities.