They saw that God was calling them to share their founding vision: “ To provide a Christian educational community as a centre of teaching, learning and serving excellence founded on biblically based beliefs, values and behaviour.” (Pacific Group of Christian Schools) They responded to the school and its community, “We share your commitment to grow as a Christian community committed to Christian education.” The interim principal, Mr Neville Pollard, helped the staff and students learn what such a committed community should look like, as part of the Pacific Group of Christian Schools. When Dr Tina Lamont, the first permanent Principal, arrived at what is now Pacific Coast Christian School (PCCS), she picked up on this commitment and soon the staff were focusing on service. What sort of service? It was community wide, supporting students, families, the community and each other. The Verse It was out of this emerging heart of service that God prompted the community to turn to Micah 6:8: The LORD God has told us what is right and what He demands: “See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.” (CEV) For the teachers and staff, this is how the vision has grown. Their concern is to teach their students regardless of the students’ circumstance - they want to know their students as whole people, and they want to meet their needs as best they can with the resources they have, centring on doing their best before God. Life Together for Staff What did this mean for the staff who were rebuilding the school from the inside out? Dr Tina Lamont strongly believed that each person, whether they be student, family or staff - all mattered. From the beginning, Dr Lamont took the time to get to know every student and their family, and that pattern is now part of the fabric of the school. She also encouraged the staff to review what it meant to be a Christian teacher. This meant reviewing what they were teaching and how they were teaching. Under her guidance, the teaching team developed excellent learning initiatives for their students. Over time, the principalship passed to others and now to James van Gelderen. Student capability steadily improved. Continuing Dr Lamont’s style, partnerships between school and home are strongly encouraged. Partnerships of the school and local churches and of the school and local Indigenous leaders have also become a natural part of how PCCS functions. This was the start of PCCS becoming more than just a place to ‘get a good education’. It also grew to be a place where people belonged. The Pattern of Service and Missions From the beginning of PCCS, there has been a strong commitment to developing the spirit of 1 Peter 4:10-11: “ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” The Northern Rivers region of New South Wales boasts stunning natural beauty, but its communities also face significant challenges. From the beginning, Dr Lamont encouraged the staff to understand the challenges. Service began in the classroom, inspiring teachers to go the extra mile to meet the students’ needs with the resources at hand. Some staff members from PHCS moved up to help us, bringing valuable experience and the PHCS vision of service and missions. They encouraged our staff and students to share their God-given gifts, expertise and talents. Practical 15
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