Editorial

We come to the end of Term 3. I am not sure how many people actually read the last newsletter of the term but like all the others, it is worth a flick through to discover the things you are interested in. 

It has been another remarkably busy term for all year levels and I want to commend our staff who show their care for our students in many ways. We have all heard how busy teachers are and this is acknowledged by successive governments, who all declare they should reduce the load on teachers and school staff but continue to increase the paperwork and compliance load. They do this because they want schools to be their point of monitoring and shaping children to meet their economic and ideological aspirations for Australia.  

It has always been this way since the Victorian government first took control of schools in 1872 putting an end to the church taking the initiative to establish and educate the children of colony since the late 1700s. Christian schools as we know them, were first established by European immigrants who escaped to Australia post WWII. In the 60s we saw the growth of Christian schools in a time when freedom of thought was valued and encouraged. Over time governments saw the economic advantage of parent run and funded schools and have been, by and large, supportive. 

Governments are no longer sure that thinking too differently from their ideology is a good idea. And some have even suggested that the thinking in all religious schools may even be damaging to children. So, we see Christian schools, at best, targeted for being hypocrites, in the media for our mistakes and unfortunate incidents. We know these happen in all schools, usually more often, but it just looks worse in a Christian school. At worse, our schools hard working committed staff are characterised as hateful places and people who target and condemn students and teachers for being different. And that is just not true. 

The reason this happens is because the press and government mostly hear the negative stories. Government ministers’ offices often do not contain Christian staff but do contain staff who are not supporters of Christian schools. So, the stories they hear are from those staffers’ point of view and that shapes their understanding. 

If we don’t get the positive message out there, the overarching narrative is that Christian schools are bad and they need more strict government controls. This is what we currently see. 

What can you do about it? Tell the positive stories and weigh up the negative ones to see if they are valid (we do sometimes get it wrong). You can join a political party, any one of them will be good, and you can become a ministerial advisor or journalist. 

Or you can visit the My Christian School website to read some of the positive stories from parents and staff. You can also use it to easily write to your local member to let them know how much you value Plenty Valley Christian College.  

Late this year or early next year the Australian government will pass legislation designed to restrict what Christian schools can and can’t do. It could also, intentionally, support us to continue to be a real Christian school if the members hear some of the vast number of positive stories that come from Christian schools. Your action will make a difference. 

Let me wish you a lovely break with beautiful Victorian spring weather to be outdoors in God’s creation. That will allow students and staff to relax and recreate, as God intended, ready for the next busy term. I will be telling your children that holidays give them the opportunity to do something extra and nice for their parents. I hope that happens too. 

Yours in Christ’s Service  

John Metcalfe  

Principal