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“For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.”
Hebrews 13:14
In the last couple of days, I was reading an article which referred to 2020 in the shape of Hebrews 13:14. In its simplest meaning, the author was referring to the idea that 2020 will pass and that there are better things to come. I’m sure this idea resonates with many of us. Certainly, there are parents who are dealing with job losses, families trying to cope with being apart and simply the lack of freedom that we use to take for granted.
In comparison to the rest of the world, I feel blessed to be here, so I do need to remind myself to count my blessings. Whether we compare ourselves to America, Europe or even Victoria-Australia, we must always try to put things into God’s perspective. Jesus said that His yoke is light and easy. Perhaps the yoke we place upon ourselves is the most burdensome of all.
This morning in Chapel I celebrated the progress that our Senior School has made around Academic Achievements. In spite of Covid-19 and a few other significant challenges, our Senior students are well on track to achieving pleasing outcomes. Year 13’s in particular are significantly out-performing our expectations. A large number will almost certainly leave LAC with an Excellence endorsement and University entrance.
The way in which we have navigated Covid as a school community is to be applauded. It also suggests to me that the level of resilience is healthy. Even if it has been an exhausting process for each of us. Enjoy the holidays and take heart.
LAC Strategic Plan
A Strategic Plan states what is important and in what direction we wish to go. In the simplest sense, what do we want LAC to look like in three years? This includes keeping those things which are fundamental to who we are, but also identifying those areas we which to embrace. For the Board of Trustees to be able to put a Strategic Plan together, it has wisely decided on collecting parent, student and staff voice.
The staff voice has already been collected through the use of Professional Learning Groups, which LAC staff are involved with regularly. Student voice is currently being collected by our Board of Trustees Student Representative Chrysolite Gali, who will be officially replaced on the 19th of November 2020, by Lucas Talamaivao. Parents can anticipate a survey in the coming weeks, which will be overseen by the Board of Trustees parent representatives. They include Stephanie Horne, Robyn van Klink, Julene Duerksen-Kapao and Nilo Miado.
This will be a great opportunity for parents to confirm what is important to them and signal to the BOT the direction they would like LAC to go in. Once all voices are collected, the BOT will spend time developing its Strategic Plan. It is from that Strategic Plan that myself and the Senior Leadership Team will develop future Annual Plans for the next three years.
Longburn Primary - Technology Classes
Longburn Primary School has asked Longburn Adventist College whether it would like teach Technology to its Year 7 and 8 students in 2021. This is because LAC enjoys a wide range of specialist teachers for its Year 7 and 8’s. These include hospitality, building construction, art, music, amongst other subject areas. The LAC Board of Trustees has agreed to this request and we are now in the process of formulating what this would look like in 2021. What we do know is that having more students in our school will allow us to offer a wider range of subject options for our own Year 7 and 8 students. Some of the initial conversations have included areas like photography and also languages.
The ability to offer a wider range of subject areas is an exciting step forward. As it allows our teachers to facilitate learning in areas they were previously unable to, and offering students more choice.
There is also another school which has shown interest in such a venture, so it is certainly an exciting time.
Tree Planting |
