Editorial

Before the Industrial Revolution, life in the Western world was largely rural. There were no large cities as we know them today, and most families lived and worked on farms. Wealthy families could afford private tutors for their children, while those with fewer resources passed down skills through family trades or apprenticeships. With the arrival of the Industrial Revolution, families began migrating to cities for work. As parents entered the workforce, children who weren’t sent to work at a young age needed supervision - leading to the development of schools. These early schools often grouped up to 50 students in a single classroom, focusing strictly on the “three Rs”: readin’, ‘riting, and ‘rithmetic. 

The environment was highly controlled, and children were expected to conform to a rigid educational model. This industrial-style approach to schooling has persisted for over 200 years, though it has been stretched to its limits in the past two decades.

Today’s students are no longer required to fit the model of the industrial education system. The model needs to be changed and individualised to fit the child. That is not a bad thing. 

As society becomes more diverse and complex, schools are expected to do far more than teach academic content. They now help children develop life skills, learn to live respectfully with others, and prepare to contribute meaningfully to the economy—all while aligning with government agendas. 

The push for formal schooling for three-year-olds, such as five half-days a week, reflects a government belief that parents are not able to prepare their children for the future. However, these assumptions are often based on data from the least functional families, not a representative cross-section. 

Teachers, meanwhile, are under increasing time pressure, with more diverse educational, social and support responsibilities that often used to be parent responsibilities. And they are still expected to teach a more and more complex curriculum. 

At Plenty Valley Christian College, we believe that God designed families to raise children. Scripture, particularly Deuteronomy 6 and 11, clearly places the responsibility for teaching and nurturing children on parents. 

As Christian parents, you have been entrusted with a sacred calling—to nurture, guide, and teach your children in the ways of the Lord. In a world that increasingly seeks to shift that responsibility to institutions, it’s more important than ever to stand firm in your God-given role. Scripture reminds us that children are a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3), they are the future, and raising them in faith, love, and truth is both a privilege and a profound responsibility. 

At Plenty Valley Christian College, we are here to walk alongside you, not to replace you. Stay engaged, be prayerful, and trust that your influence—rooted in God’s wisdom—will shape your children far more deeply than any institutional curriculum ever could.

John Metclafe

Executive Principal