The Herald

From the Principal

Where Are They Now? 

I feel humbled to stand on the shoulders of the Principals that have gone before me. There have been some amazing leaders at LCS, who have ensured our core values and mission statements of our school were in the forefront of their minds during the time of their leadership. As a result I have inherited a school with a strong Biblical foundation and a community that celebrates and centres around Christian education. Recently, past Principals Adrian Bosker and Erik Hofsink, and past Board Chairman Andrew Goelst have acquired new positions that ensure their influence and passion in Christian Education continue, and will make an impact for generations to come. Below I would like to share what they will be up to in the coming year. 

Adrian Bosker

Last year, I had the pleasure of working alongside Adrian in Term 4 as he finished up his time as Principal. After a well-deserved break and trip around our great country, it is wonderful to see Adrian back in our school community. He attends Parents in Community meetings, referees' basketball, he recently came along to the FunRun+5k event, and just this past week went on the Maria Island camp with his wife Lucy as volunteers. This is a wonderful testament to his heart and love for LCS. Adrian has also taken on the role as Tasmania's State Executive Officer (SEO) of Christian Education National (CEN). Christian Education National is a network of six member associations and ten schools in Tasmania who actively support one another in the provision of Biblically-based Christian education. CEN works together to support and encourage our members by providing services to assist schools to be Christ-centred educational communities. Tasmania - Christian Education National (cen.edu.au)

Erik Hofsink

Erik was our Principal from 2004-1015 and went on to serve Emmaus Christian School in Canberra in the same capacity. It was a real pleasure to attend the Science & Engineering Challenge in Sydney, last month, and not only see Erik supporting Emmaus - but to also see him take a bit of time to catch up with our staff and students. In 2024 we are excited to share that Erik has been appointed to Executive Director of Associated Christian Schools. We provide coherent, well-validated representation, advocacy and support through round table interaction, member engagement, national and international collaboration, strategic thinking and research. 

As a well-known and respected learning and research organisation, not only within Australia but internationally, we seek collegiality and collaboration for the common good, while actively promoting Christian education as exemplary education. ACS Website About | Associated Christian Schools

Andrew Goelst

I had the pleasure of having dinner with Andrew the other night, and I am so thankful for his friendship and the many years of service he has dedicated to LCS. Andrew served as the Chair of our school board for nine years and is currently Vice-Chair. Andrew now serves as Board Chair on the National CEN Board, and we are delighted that he can serve CEN in this capacity. CEN member schools include remote rural schools, large metropolitan schools, multicampus schools, trade training centres, and incorporated school systems. Our schools comprise of over 25,000 students from families that are choosing to partner with their Christian school. Schools that are committed to demonstrating a vibrant biblical faith, which permeates every aspect of learning, community life, policy, and practice in its associations and schools. Home - Christian Education National (cen.edu.au)

 

2024 Timetable Changes

Parents, here is some more information in relation to the rationale for the recent communication in regard to the 2024 timetable changes that were communicated last week. This information is more relevant to the changes to Secondary School students: 

  1. Longer class periods lead to more variety of lesson activities, and this support the diverse learning strengths of students.
  2. Less periods in the day means a less frenetic day – better for student and teacher wellbeing overall.
  3. For teachers to have a full hour off when not teaching hopefully will lead to more productive work, actually get a coffee and get something done in 60 minutes rather than 38 minutes which seemed a little short.
  4. Better alignment with the Coop schools.
  5. Maintaining a reasonable lunch start time has an impact on the length of periods. 
  6. Being limited by our start and end times of the day (busses etc), we chose a time frame for lessons that neatly fit (as neatly as possible).
  7. Arts teachers and Sports coaches are very excited about the longer lunch time slot to have practices or rehearsals that can set up, practice and pack up during lunch time and not seem totally rushed.

Stuart Kent