Chaplain's Chat

Out of necessity there has been a renewed focus on the partnership between teachers and parents over these last few weeks. We have been working together, grappling with new technology and juggling changed routines so that learning could continue. As parents I am sure there have been many moments when you have enjoyed seeing your children learn and marvelling at the many skills and abilities they have. This is a privilege we as teachers see each day. I am sure each have also had their own measure of challenges to overcome. However, these young people are a gift from God, first to you and also to us. Each person needing to be noticed, loved and encouraged as they grow to make their own mark in the world.

Together and with Jesus, the students, families and teachers make up our community. A learning community, in partnership together, to enable these young people to acquire and nurture a vision of a flourishing life. This is wonderfully captured in our school mission and core values. As a school community our connections go further. There is our connection to the Anglican Church, our affiliations with Independent Schools through the AIS and governance through the state and national government.

In the sense of culture and ethos we are also connected with other Anglican schools. In the last 15 years in Australia there has been much effort and scholarship put into exploring the distinctive contribution of Anglican schooling.

Most recently, “In May 2018, The Reverend Dr Daniel Heischman, Executive Director of the National Association of Episcopal Schools in the USA, facilitated a gathering of over sixty school principals, chaplains, bishops and representatives of member schools of Anglican Schools Australia (ASA). The purpose of the discussion was to reach a common ground in how we “describe, experience and ultimately understand the distinctive culture and ethos of Anglican schools”.”

Below is a student friendly summary of what it means to be an Anglican school.

If you would like to read the full paper ‘Enhancing our Anglican identity’ by the Reverend Dr Daniel Heischman it can be found below.

Let us continue in partnership together encouraging our students to use their gifts, skills and abilities to go into God’s world as people of Honour and Excellence.

Tim Bowles

School Chaplain