The “Christian School” Story

Intentionally visiting the past to intend the future

Why “Christian” School ?

• Most of the schools are non-denominational in nature and hence the word “Christian” is used as an inclusive description.

• It is not intended to imply that other schools are not Christian.

In the course of telling this story the fundamental concept or vision

of these schools will emerge

The context

In the 60s and early 70s there were

• Traditional denominational schools(most notably Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian and Adventist)

• State schools that were becoming increasingly and pervasively secular, (in the non-religious sense).

• Most evangelical/ “bible based” people supported the state system

Judges 2 : 8 syndrome

After that whole generation (Joshua’s peers) had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up who neither knew the Lord or what he had done for Israel.

The foundational truths and the story had not been told and so they ‘lost the plot’.

People saw something like this happening to their children.

Lateral thinking pioneers

Case studies:

• Athalie Chapman

• Dutch Reformed immigrants

• Middleton Grange School founders

Athalie Chapman

• “These are for the school”

• “The Friendly Room”

• Seeking help

• Prospect House

Relevant Reformed principles

• The sovereignty of God in all of life including education.

• The privilege and responsibility of education of children is with family, not church or state.

• Parents vowed (at baptism) to nurture their children in the faith.

• Churches expected to promote Christian schools controlled by communities of families

Reformed community initiatives

Contacted other evangelical communities: response: What’s wrong with the local state school?Private schools are for the rich Running schools would be too expensive and a time

consuming distraction

Schools on SaturdayAssociations to promote the idea

e.g. Parent controlled Christian School AssociationAssoc for the promotion of Christian Schools

Middleton Grange School

• Gideon’s prayer and Bible study in 1963• Interdenominational school concept all

committed Christians, Biblically based, 1st class ‘academically’

• Businessmen and professionals respected in their own churches – incl Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Open Brethren, Salvation Army.

• Began 1964 with 60 students

MGS growth

• 1960s: growth in numbers primary about 250 + secondary 1 level up each yr to 1970

• 1960s and 1970s: growth of the ideas:e.g. no chaplin because it is non-denominational

- instead all staff were in “ministry” e.g. curriculum - every subject is effected by a Biblical Christian “worldview”, but how?

“Spiritual principles committee”e.g. ‘The Grange’ hostele.g. Open Parent Home Fellowship

Turning point: around 1976

• Accelerated Christian Education

• NZ Association for Christian Schools

• Reformed community initiated schools

ACE

• Ps Rob Wheeler observations of ACE in USA• Dr Donald Howard tour of NZ in 1976• Some caught the vision – saw ACE as a way for

non-professional teaches to conduct school.• First schools started in 1977• In 7 years over 20 schools were operating

mostly by Pentecostal churches.

NZACS

• MGS initiative – Sept 1976• NZ Association FOR Christian Schools• Jan 1977 five members• Annual 2 day meetings• By 1983 about 25 members• Curriculum development?

Various imported curricula becoming available but not really fitting the NZ scene. So should NZACS develop curriculum?

• “It became more and more obvious to those involved, that a ‘package deal’ curriculum is not the answer, no matter how well suited to NZ requirements. Number one criteria is a teacher with a mind change from humanistic teaching and training to a sensitivity to what God desires education to be. ......... It is to such teachers that we feel free to release the materials we have been working on and we would see great and exciting things happen: a new era in Christian education.”

Thus the emphasis on professional development emerged.

NZACS conferences

• These began in 1986• Annual general conferences where the

emphasis was on the distinctive philosophy of Christian education and sharing of practical ways to implement curriculum and school organisation. They progressively grew into quite large enthusiastic gatherings.

1990s• By 1990 over 50 schools involved.

Each school had its distinctive nature.e.g. schools based at a church (often Pentecostal) using ACE or

modified state curriculum,Schools run by associations of parents (often initiated by a

Reformed community),Non-denominational schools (like MGS) with broader appeal were

emerging

• NZACS Regional principals’, sporting and arts, and professional development events

• ACE and other groupings events

1990s: growth

• More new schools e.g. in mid 90s 14 homeschool clusters or schools began

using ACE

• Growth of existing schoolse.g. schools like Bethlehem College grew from 100 in 1988 to approaching 1500 in 2000The movement saw an annual 10% growth from 1995 to 2004

• Development of Christian teacher education

1990s: Statement of Vision

• In the mid 90s the movement sought to empower one another with increased synergy. A ‘manifesto’ or Statement of Vision was developed as a unifying platform.

1990s: Integration

The 1990s saw a move to schools becoming integrated. This was due to financial ‘necessity’.MGS negotiated 100% tagged staff. This was a breakthrough.Controversial in the movement.

a few withdrew from the NZACSmany worked together to help each other successfully

integrate

By end of 1999 well over half of the now over 80 schools had integrated.

2000s

• Government policy was the main cause of- no more integrations- slowing of the annual 10% growth

• Some schools both integrated and private still grew dramatically

e.g. KingsWay School (about 200 in 1998 to about 1250 in 2013) ,Elim Christian College (about 80 in 1997 to over 1000 in 2014)

2000s: cooperation

• NZACS conferences:national (or north/south) general have

grown to large events e.g. this yrs in Chch closed off at over 350 registrations

national leadershipregional leaders and PD gatherings

2000s: cooperation

• Other effective organisations in the movement.

e.g.ACEIndependent Christian SchoolsSDA schools NZ Christian Proprietors TrustChristian Schools Network

Common themes of Success

• A passionate purpose or vision• A transformative curriculum• A definite plan• Disciplined and united teamwork• Inter/non-denominational ethos

Handing on the Vision

It must be intentional and regular • Revisit the vision

as articulated by the founders

• Review the vision to communicate in the present

• Promote the vision in all the school community

• Reinvent the programme to match the present context