Wise words with...

Culture

Years 9 and 10 returned from camp on Wednesday afternoon. I was delighted to hear nothing but positive comments from both staff and students. The effort of the staff in designing the camp was stellar but also was the attitude of the students. Teachers can work super hard in creating an excellent learning experience but without a positive mindset from students, the experience can fall flat. The Stage 5 camp experience is testament to a wonderful culture at Nowra Christian School.

Culture is dynamic. It is ever-changing, slippery. It is shaped by small events, by interactions between people, by what every party brings to the table. Every comment, every action by staff, by students, by parents, shapes the culture of a school. It’s never perfect, there is always room to improve. But it is so important. Culture is a key component of what shapes our worldview. And for our students, as they are developing their worldview, we want the culture of Nowra Christian School to be absolutely brilliant. As students graduate from NCS, we want them to possess outstanding characters such that as they go on to the next phase of their lives, they contribute significantly to society, they thrive in their environment, and they are a blessing to those around them. Culture will contribute to that.

We have strategies in place to examine and constantly be improving our culture. You will hear more about them later in the term. Obviously, a key component of culture at Nowra Christian School comes from our Christian roots. And some of you may be thinking how does a Christian suit me or my children when I have alternate theological beliefs. Next fortnight, I will attempt to answer that question. Rest assured, I believe that Nowra Christian School is an excellent place for a wide spectrum of the local community, regardless of their theological beliefs but, more of that next week.

For now, let me encourage us all, well done to staff and students on Stage 5 camp, and let us be constantly thinking about how we can be contributing to building the culture of Nowra Christian School by our actions, by our words and by our mindsets.