In Memory of Ruth Nicholds

Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

It was with great sadness that we recently heard of the passing to eternal glory of Donvale Christian College’s second Principal, Ruth Nicholds, on 30 July this year.  As has become a norm in these pandemic times, only a very small number of family and close friends could attend her funeral in person.  As a College community, we deeply grieve the loss of one of our significant leaders in our 45-year history.

If there were a verse that speaks most directly to Ruth’s posture, as she joined our community midway through 1982, it would come from the Sermon on the Mount:

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 

Matthew 5:9 

Ruth felt deeply called; she answered the invitation from the Board of the day with humility and a hope-filled disposition.  Photos from the early 1980s capture Ruth’s face beaming, as she stands in company with students, staff and parents alike.  Her desire to rally our community to unity in Christ and see the potential for growth and development was contagious, and her three and a half years as Principal were marked by expertise, vision and a practical attention to detail, a rare combination God provided our community with as we forged forward as a growing Primary and emerging Secondary school.

When Ruth arrived at Donvale Christian School (as we were known in those days) students who wished to continue secondary studies into Years 11 and 12 were forced to finish their last years elsewhere. To her, this was not a satisfactory situation and Ruth set out to rectify this.  Five students, Cheryl, Mia, Grant, Tim P and Tim V, formed our first ever Year 12 class, in 1985. 

That these five could complete their schooling at Donvale was, in no small part, due to Ruth’s indomitable spirit in making it all work – she gathered parent support, Board endorsement and student enthusiasm and pursued this significant and bold move. An extra double portable classroom, access to some extra classes at the nearby Mitcham High School, and a collaborative and cooperative spirit between staff, parents and students meant that the foundation was well laid, and we have grown our senior years program continually since these modest beginnings. 

Ruth was a kind and generous person. She arrived as an outsider (she was the principal of a government girls high school immediately before joining us) – but was very much one of us almost immediately.  Her heart beat with a love for her Lord Jesus, and she expressed this continually in all she endeavoured to do – she was a real Micah 6:8 woman – acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with our God.

Ruth Nicholds will be missed deeply by those in our College community who were touched by her warmth and generosity of spirit.  As a College community, we honour her for the way she walked amongst us, for the legacy she left of a full complement of Prep-Year 12 programs, and for the forward-looking vision for a school unified in Christ, thriving in close community connectedness that Ruth called us to consider.

We exult in the knowledge that Ruth is now with her Lord and heavenly Father; we look forward to that time when we will join her again, in fellowship together.