From the Principal
Getting to Know Mr Kent
In this issue, we continue to get to know our Principal, Stuart Kent. This Herald, we had some help from some of our senior students, and from some of our youngest (very inquisitive) students.
What makes a good teacher?
Matilda Shorter, Year 11
There are so many elements that I think link to good teaching, but what makes a good teacher is someone who genuinely cares about children. I’ve often heard people say “I’m a Maths teacher, I’m a Science teacher, or I’m a Kindergarten teacher”, actually, you’re a teacher of children. And as a teacher of children you are an expert in a subject, but caring for kids has to be the core of what I think makes a good teacher. From that care comes lots of other things, like expertise. Teachers have to know their stuff: how kids learn, what they’re learning – they have to know Chemistry and English, but that’s never more important than knowing the children that you teach. I think a good teacher is someone who builds relationship and has knowledge and has the balance of those two things right. I often think “what does a kid want in a teacher?” And whilst that changes from age to age, at the core, it is to know they’re cared for, by someone who knows them, and someone who can give them skills, dispositions, knowledge, to equip them for the future.
Why are you passionate about Christian Education?
Erin Ross, Year 12
Christian Education enables us to do that relationship building with a central understanding of faith. If you have an understanding of a Biblical worldview, a Biblical perspective, if you have a rock that you build everything on that is unchangeable, it means that you don’t just sway with the wind of the latest ideas that come into the world. And what it enables both teachers, students and families is to have clarity around what we stand for, what we are doing, and what success looks like. Not every school does that, and in some ways it’s so watered down. I’m passionate about sharing the message of the gospel, and equipping young people to be able to share the message. Our job is to model that, so those around us will give it deep thought and be in an environment that will expose us to the central ideas of what the Bible talks about. I shared with the leadership team that I didn’t realise how much I missed being in Christian Schools. At LCS I can pray with someone in my leadership team, I can pray for you, and I know teachers probably pray with you – that is awesome! My prayer is we are going to be able to keep doing that - but that to me is what you’re going to remember. I look back on my time at school, and I don’t remember a lot of History lessons or Maths lessons, I remember relationships, and if you can do that in the umbrella of Christian Education I think that’s really important.
What did you eat for breakfast?
Nancee Willis, Kindergarten
What did I eat for breakfast today? I didn’t have breakfast today. Do you want to know what I had for breakfast yesterday? I always have coffee. Coffee is my favourite drink, when it comes to hot drinks, and I had a bowl of Just Right cereal. What did you have for breakfast?
Nancee: Well, ummm, I think I had toast.
Toast. Toast is awesome. With vegemite?
Nancee: Yep!
That’s great!
What’s your favourite superhero?
Jack Murfet, Kindergarten
Probably one you have never heard of. There was a cartoon when I was growing up called Phantom. And the Phantom wore a uniform of purple and black. He lived in a cave, he was a crime fighter. He would come out and try and do good things, and he would try to save people. But he didn’t have super powers, he was a little bit more like Batman. He had some pretty cool equipment that he used to use. So when I was growing up I would have to say the Phantom, but in my older life, do you guys know what my last name is? Kent. Is there any superhero that has Kent in their name? Clark Kent. Do you know who that is? Superman.
Do you like horses?
Imani Nicholson, Kindergarten
You know, I didn’t grow up in the countryside, I grew up in cities. But my wife is from the countryside, and she had some horses in her childhood. I love horses, but do you want a big secret? I’m allergic to horses. When I touch a horse or go near a horse I get bumps all over me. So I love them to look at, I think they’re beautiful animals. They’re strong and tall. You know horses can do a lot of work. So I love horses but I have to love them from a distance. My favourite type of horse is the one they call an appaloosa, which has different colours like brown, black and white. Do you like horses?
Imani: Yes, I love horses. My brother is only two, and I am double the amount, I’m five.
That’s great! Do you like horses Jack?
Jack: No.
We look forward to learning more about Mr Kent in our next issue, as he continues to be interviewed by our students.