From the Executive Principal

From the Executive Principal

Dear Emmaus families and friends,

I warmly welcome you back to Term 3. I pray this holiday period has been blessed for you and your family.

Respecting parent values and choice

During the end of Term 2, I had the privilege of visiting six Christian schools on New Zealand's North Island with 13 other Christian school principals from across Australia.

It was a valuable networking opportunity as we sought to learn from each other and strengthen our Christian ties 'either side of the ditch' (or "dutch", according to our NZ friends)!

There are many distinctly Christian schools across New Zealand, similar to Emmaus, that have undertaken various innovative approaches to curriculum development, pedagogy, building design, Indigenous reconciliation, and, in particular, something they call “Special Character” Integrated schools. 

The New Zealand educational system has a third category called Integrated Schools, in addition to public and private schools. I will not try to explain here what took me two weeks of discussion to understand myself; however, to briefly summarise, Integrated Schools must have, as a condition of their registration, as required by the NZ Government, a distinct “Special Character” that represents the choice of parents who enrol their children and authentically retain this “Special Character” in all they do. 

The NZ Government regularly audits integrated schools to ensure they uphold their particular “Special Character” (and, in turn, the choice and rights of parents who have enrolled at the school). If they deviate from this “Special Character,” they are in trouble with the government.

Being “Distinctly Christian” is an example of a “Special Character” for an Integrated School in New Zealand. As such, the NZ Government requires Christian Schools (yes – required!) to employ Christian staff, teach a Christian-based curriculum and uphold biblical values and beliefs in all they do! 

In turn, the NZ Government is respecting parents' right to be guaranteed an education for their children that aligns with their family values and, ultimately, their choice and rights as parents! 

I will let you contrast this position yourself to the current political climate we are experiencing in Australia I have previously written to you about www.mychristianschool.au 

Please continue to pray and advocate in this important space to retain what our friends 'across the dutch’ are being guaranteed by their government.

Upon arriving at Bethlehem College, a “Christian Special Character” school of 2000 students in Tauranga NZ, we were warmly greeted at the front gate by their student leaders undertaking a traditional welcome to us as visitors to their school (aka – a ‘Haka’ of sorts!). 

New Zealand regards itself as a 'bi-cultural' country where the blend of cultures is mutually respectful and authentic – but more about this at another time!

South Plympton Building update

If you observe the west end of the South Plympton building, you may notice a substantial difference from that of Term 2!

Throughout the school holidays, the "Ascension Days" went ahead, and all of the second-level concrete panels, including the internal steel structure and roof construction, were installed. The internal core of the structure is now waiting for assembly (hidden from view at the moment within the building itself).

The massive scale of this building is only now becoming evident (which is actually the smallest of the three stages planned over the next few years!). 

CSA (Christian Schools Australia) State Conference

On Monday it was a blessing for our almost 200 Emmaus staff to join 1,500 staff from Christian Schools across South Australia at Futures Church in Paradise. 

It was an awesome time of collective praise and worship, followed by wonderful Christian professional development. Keynote speakers addressed "The Cultural Compass: What's shaping our identity" and "Understanding our Formation in the Light of the Biblical story," which both solidified our current understanding and encouraged us to share and be examples of the story of truth to the young people we serve. 

It was an encouraging and uplifting time spent in unity with CSA schools, launching us afresh into Term 3. 

Blessings,

Andrew Linke

Executive Principal