Here is an edited version of my video presentation at Thanksgiving this year. In words on a page, it expresses my deep gratitude and my ongoing thankfulness for all the love extended to me as part of our community; it describes the community’s heart as lovers of Jesus, followers in his way.

For these moments, and for those of your own that you have experienced as part of our community, praise God and give him the all the glory and honour.

Here are my six examples:

1. Staff and parents talk together regularly as an important part of our shared partnership – that is, to nurture every child who attends this school so that they know and understand what it is to bear God’s image.

One of our staff leaders recently summed up the tension of the student journey to adulthood while at school with the following powerful statement:

“As staff together, we are reminded by God in our prayer times together, that He knew these students before they were in their mum’s womb and that they are made in the image of Christ. We are reminded that each one of them has a part to play in the body of Christ and that all have been bought with a price.

These young people at times have the confidence of giants and within a second can feel fragile and isolated. Our role is to educate them to see the world through a biblical lens that equips them to be in the world but not of the world; one that teaches them to recognise their value and identity in Christ, to know they are made for a purpose.”

The freedom to define Christian education this way,

That’s why I’ve loved working at Donvale Christian College.

2. On numerous occasions over the last nine and a half years, I’ve found myself outside our Prep classrooms, enjoying the crispness of a cold Melbourne winter morning. Often, I’m talking with a Prep mum or dad.

That is never a deterrent for the young Prep boy or girl who will walk up to me, full of confidence, and tug on the corner of my long, warm coat. They are always beaming as they get my attention:

“Mr Argall, Mr Argall, I prayed for you this morning.”

“Thanks you so much, you’re a legend. Bless you,” I reply.

“No, no, you don’t understand,” they say insistently. “I prayed for YOU . . . OUT LOUD!” – always with a cheeky grin, as they emphasize those last three words.

Seeing all our students, from youngest to oldest, growing as disciples of Jesus;

That’s why I’ve loved working at Donvale Christian College.

3. Last week, Mary, my second child and sometime on-air radio host on Christian radio station in both Australia and before that North America, gave me a big bear hug. “I can comfortably say that, in all the jobs you’ve had, I’ve never seen you so happy as you’ve been at Donvale,” she says.

Kris, my wife of 37 years, quietly nods in agreement.

And then she says – “your experience with your colleagues, your work with your Boards, the way you speak so glowingly of the way the students are at DCC, not to mention your excitement when you meet up with other Christian school principals – this has been an exceptionally special season for you."

My loved ones can see it!

That's why I’ve loved working at Donvale Christian College.

4. Music concerts, plays and musicals – the anticipation, execution and memories energise our Primary and Secondary School communities every single year.

This is an area of school life where student leadership shines brightly! Consider these words of wisdom from one of our captains recently:

“Ultimately our desire is, by making joyful expressions of worship through our creativity, that you will be reminded of and pointed towards the wonderfully creative and joy-inspiring God that we worship and honour.

He gave us these gifts — we point you, as our audience, back to Him through what we do with those gifts.”

Continually publicly focusing on God as our Creator and the giver of life and all the blessings.

That’s why I’ve loved working at Donvale Christian College.

5. I remember a few years back when one of our best sportsmen was injured badly at lunchtime, playing 3 on 3 with his mates. They had to stop the game straight away.

What happened next was remarkable, and yet it was normal for our students.

Two friends went to his care and spoke words of comfort to him. Another two got help. The crowd nearby, having witnessed the accident, form themselves into a series of huddles and begin praying for the student, his injury, and his recovery.

No adult had arrived, but the group of boys and girls, none older than 15, spontaneously made the decision to hand over a very difficult situation to God.

Witnessing this kind of authentic expression of faith time and time again,

That’s why I’ve loved working at Donvale Christian College.

6. The Cross on the Hill is a significant and important gathering point for the Donvale Christian College community. A place for gathered prayer; a place where some come for personal reflection and communion with God.

The highest point in our community – local indigenous community leaders tell me that this is where the Woiworrung clan would have gathered 20000 years ago to plan their next crops and to make sure their clan members were safe from those around them that they weren’t sure about.

The Cross is a very real reminder we are here, in this place, because Jesus died for us – each and every one of us – so that our relationship with God could be fully restored at a time unknown to us, at the time of the new creation, when Jesus returns to earth.

It calls all of us – all 1600+ students, all 2000+ parents, all 300+ staff, all 10000+ former students and their families to a life together that points the onlooker to the glory of God. We are called to do life together, in God’s strength, each and every day.

The privilege to be part of a flourishing Christian community like ours,

That’s why I’ve loved working at Donvale Christian College.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

God’s peace be with you all, now and always.

Shalom.

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