Wise words with...

Our new school values

You will recall that our community was surveyed recently regarding the values that we would like to see Nowra Christian School adopt as our school Values. The purpose was not to replace our current values of Community, Care and Character but rather we are reclassifying those as the Anchors which we hold to as a school. 

NCS will always be a place where our community cares for each other, and we have no desire to lose that from our documents which define us. Rather, by adopting a number of values, we are filling out what character traits, or values, we want our community to be known by and what we want to be teaching to our students. Of course, these character traits are not an exclusive list, but they give some tangible key words for our students to identify with. After surveying the board, staff, parents and students, the survey results have come back and I am pleased to announce that the values for NCS are the following:

• Humility
• Integrity
• Kindness
• Perseverance
• Respect
• Gratitude

These are values which we should all hold as being of importance, regardless of our backgrounds. I make the case that each of these values is a character trait that was inherent in Jesus and as we look to Jesus to determine how to act, it is worthwhile spending a brief amount of time now to see how these values were a very part of Jesus essence.

I would like to write briefly about each of these values, focussing in particular on how they are fitting values for a Christian School.

Humility

As God who became man, Jesus humbled himself, going to death on the cross to redeem people from their slavery to sin. In the same way, when we practice humility, we put other people’s needs first rather than promoting ourselves and so build a community that has everybody’s best interest at heart.

Integrity

Despite being tempted in every way and suffering for his actions, Jesus displayed his integrity by remaining obedient to his heavenly Father. He exhorted his followers not to be concerned by the opinion of others but to concern themselves with truth and righteousness.

Kindness

Jesus displayed his kindness through his compassion for those in unfortunate situations. In his compassion he urged them towards righteousness. Seeing all people as made in the image of God, we seek the very best for each person and for the community.

Perseverance

Enduring great hardship, Jesus did not flinch from the task that was at hand for him. Rather, he persevered, despite great hardship. The Bible teaches that it is perseverance that will produce the character that we desire so much.

Respect

All people are made in the image of God. Jesus saw value in all people, regardless of their economic, religious, or societal status, treating people with respect whom others would treat with derision. Even when we disagree, as God’s image-bearers, we seek to treat everybody with respect.

Gratitude

We see Jesus being thankful to God the Father and in response to Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf, it is appropriate that as the beneficiaries of new life we are thankful to God for all he has done. Indeed, every good thing is a blessing from God and so are grateful as children of God.

I will fill these out in more detail in future Bytes articles and as a staff we will consider in the new year how we are going to embody, teach and foster these values in the lives of the members of our school.

Have a wonderful and safe Christmas break.