Principal
Mrs Fiona McAuliffe
Why do we do what we do in a Lutheran school?
In our Strategic Plan, on our website (GNLC_Strategic_Plan_Brochure_FA_Web.pdf (kxcdn.com), we have looked at what makes us unique as a Lutheran college:
Lutheran Schools are communities:
- Of worship and service, sharing and living the good news of Jesus Christ
- Which acknowledge God as Creator and join in the ongoing creation and care of the world and all people
- That recognise that God has intentionally created each person and that each person is uniquely gifted to live in relationship with God and others
- Where grace abounds. While recognising the brokenness of humanity they reflect the unconditional love of the father, revealed through the saving work of his son, Jesus.
- That are open to the influence of the Holy Spirit, who invites and equips for a life of worship, learning and service
- That value learning as God’s gift to people for their wonder, growth, and to inspire them to respond to the needs of the world
- Of hope, nurtured by the promises of God’s word, love and forgiveness, which empower staff and students to embrace the future with confidence
Martin Luther, who inspired the formation of the Lutheran Church over 500 years ago, always emphasised the importance of preparing children for effective and productive lives in the community, “informing and developing the mind and intellect in order to produce good citizens” (Zweck 1988: 140).
Lutheran education has also been driven by the belief that educational opportunities nurtured by Christian values should be available for all. Education is one of God’s gifts for all people, regardless of whether they respond in faith to God or not.
For me, the simplest understanding of all this is that in a Lutheran school our children are a gift to be nurtured through our core values (Grace, Respect, Integrity and Courage). And education is a gift we all treasure.
Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me.