The Herald

From the Principal

Growing Together: Nurturing Our School's Heart Through Unity

My childhood home was a wonderful place to grow up. Well, most of the time! I'm not sure my sisters would always agree, and yet I am confident that all three of us are grateful for our Christian upbringing. Looking back, one of the most powerful gifts I received was learning how to navigate disagreements with grace. 

 

My dad had a saying I heard often: 

 

"The strength of our relationships isn't in how well we agree, 

but in how well we disagree." 

 

That simple idea has truly shaped me—in my family life and in my role as a leader at our school. I've come to see that leaning into tough conversations and different opinions doesn't have to create division. In fact, when we do it with care, it can actually deepen our unity.

 

Just a few days ago, I saw this principle come to life in a remarkable way at our school. Our leadership team, along with select board members and our strategic planning committee, dedicated an entire day to thoughtfully and prayerfully revise our school's core values. We knew this was a weighty task, as these values would guide the spiritual and educational journey for every current and future student at our school. The day felt like a real-world expression of a scripture that guides so much of our work: Ephesians 4:13, which clearly calls us to grow "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ."

Journeying Toward Maturity and Unity Together

This beautiful verse from Ephesians offers a profound vision for our school community.

First, it speaks of "unity in the faith." This isn't about everyone seeing eye-to-eye on every single detail, but about a shared, heartfelt commitment to the person and work of Jesus Christ. It’s a unity of purpose and a spiritual bond that connects us all. 

 

Second, it highlights "knowledge of the Son of God." This isn't just about what we learn in a textbook; it's about a deep, personal, and life-changing relationship with Jesus. It’s about knowing Him so well that our lives can't help but reflect His love.

 

Finally, the verse sets a wonderful goal: to "mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ." This is the ultimate hope of a Christian education—not just to raise up good students, but to nurture young men and women who are growing more and more like Jesus in their character, compassion, and wisdom. This is a journey we are all on together as a school community, supporting and encouraging one another along the way.

The Values Workshop: A Living Example

The day we spent together on our school's values was a beautiful testament to both disagreeing well and living out this scripture. The room was filled with people from different backgrounds, each bringing their unique experiences, perspectives, and traditions—teachers, administrators, parents, and board members. We came together with one shared desire: to find a set of core values that would best serve our community and honour God.

 

The conversation wasn't always easy, and it wasn’t meant to be. We intentionally created a space for open, honest discussion where every voice could be heard. There were moments of strong opinions and different priorities, but this wasn’t a problem—it was a blessing. The passionate, heartfelt dialogue we shared is a sign of a healthy, vibrant, and deeply engaged community that is committed to disagreeing well and intentionally building unity.

Rest and Recharge!

 

As this term draws to a close and our students take a break from studies, my prayer is that you are able to take time to rest, recharge, and engage in activities that bring you joy. Take a moment to have a look at the rest of the Herald to see all the events and milestones of the term that's been, an update on Build 2025 including a very special announcement on its name, and a word from our SLC.

 

In Christ,

 

Stuart Kent

Principal

Launceston Christian School

 

Mr Kent's Recommended Reading