Rationale

Bethel Christian School is a Christian Community School seeking to fulfil the Biblical commandment to bring children up in the way of the Lord. The school cannot achieve this alone. We need to actively seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the support of the Body of Christ in this important role.

In our school, Jesus Christ, is in control. Our motto is 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ‘Sanctified in spirit, soul and body". This means teaching students from a Christ-focused viewpoint so that students see the world from the Biblical perspective. Because of this, we are conscious of His presence in all aspects of the learning and teaching process. We believe the Bible is God’s Word and our lessons rely on that fact. The education process is also related to the needs of the pupils as individuals, as well as the wider society for which they must be equipped to become a contributing member.

As a Christian Community School we are aware of the witness we make in the community. It is important that each member of the staff be a committed co-worker in the Gospel, acknowledging Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Aims

We believe that the central aim of education in all aspects, (home, church and community) is to train the whole person. This is to be accomplished through instructions, example, correction and experience, in the light of the teaching of God’s Word. All of this must be accomplished with an awareness of the context of society, toward the gaining of perceptive, understanding and judgement, leading to acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and leading to spiritual maturity.

1. The school endeavours to provide excellence in academic, spiritual, moral and physical development, so that students develop into well-balanced people, able to make correct and productive life choices and so become valuable members of their community.
2. In conjunction with parents, church and community groups the school aims to train the whole person to be an effective and positive contributor to society. This training is in accordance with God's Word and is provided by instruction, example, correction and experience in a Christian context.
3. The school aims to provide students with the understanding that they are special in God's sight and that He has a purpose and fulfilment for each of their lives, and has gifted each of them with individual talents and abilities.
4. The school aims to help students discover a greater appreciation for the world He created and learn how to live responsibly as a part of it.

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Objectives

1. To ensure that each child is given opportunity to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and progresses to Christian maturity, so that he/she may attain a deeper commitment and become an effective witness for the Lord.

2. To emphasise the individuality of the student and to assist each child in properly responding to him/herself and to others; to develop self-confidence; to recognise God-given talents and abilities in creativity, goal setting, communication and academics.

3. To make positive and productive life choices and become a valuable member of society. The school aims to provide students with the understanding that they are special before God and that He has a purpose and plan for each of their lives.

 

In order to facilitate the Aims and Objectives of the school we have in place special features of conduct, organization and curriculum. These are -

1. The provision of a disciplined and personal learning environment

2. Implementation of the Board of Studies approved courses of study, with emphasis on courses that are relevant to students needs

3. Membership with Christian Community Schools Ltd. which provides curriculum and other valuable school support services.

4. Employment of adequately qualified and Christian oriented teaching personnel.

5. Emphasis on the God-given individuality of each student so as to encourage and develop their talents and abilities.

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We believe in the education of the whole person - spirit, soul and body, through instructions, example and experience, in the light of the teaching of God’s Word.

Our approach to teaching recognises the individuality of each person and the value of each individual to our Heavenly Father. Physical, cognitive, spiritual, emotional and social needs of each child have to be considered as we endeavour to develop all areas without diminishing the academic area of teaching. Teachers have an obligation to the student to assist in each area of development at the appropriate level. Christ-focused teaching must have Biblical principles reflected in all areas of teaching.

Because the starting point of true education is what God has revealed, the process of education must

involve instruction. This should not be viewed as a restrictive statement, but rather as a liberating one for it provides the student with a framework in which to place knowledge, concepts, information and skills by which he/she can judge the validity of the instruction in relation to the whole.

Example is a vital part of learning. Especially in a Christian School environment it is important to remember that values are learned more readily from models than from precepts. Experience is an important part of learning. The Bible shows that from the earliest time people had not only to acknowledge Truth, but do live by it. If children were only to learn what they could discover for themselves, their education would be very limited. Our role as educators is to guide and direct the student in the learning process.

3. In the Light of God’s Word and in the Context of Society.

The Bible and Truth contained therein is vital to the education process. However, we live in a pluralistic society and it is therefore important for children to be aware of the beliefs of other people who do not accept the Bible nor its Truth. Thus, though we teach from a Creationist point of view, our children will need to be instructed in the evolutionary point of view. The majority of textbooks and educational programs available on Creation are based on Evolution. For this reason our students need to receive instruction in the strengths and weaknesses of alternate views.

Students need to be taught tolerance of those who hold different views from themselves and to accept divergence of views within the classroom as well as society. However, it is vital that they understand clearly the reasons why Christians, Orthodox Jews and Muslims believe in a created world.

Problems exist in the world. Students need to accept and face this fact. The teacher will need to teach students Biblical views and concepts while encouraging students to understand the concepts of wrongdoing and the warnings of scriptures to keep oneself from sharing in wrongdoing. (Eph. 5:11-12) The teacher will need to be discriminating about choice of materials to be studied in light of the Word of God and Christian instruction.

Because the goal of Christian education is to lead students to Christian commitment and maturity, the teacher must view the student from a Biblical perspective -

Each student is growing. This growth will be in various areas, but especially in understanding and judgement. This will develop through a range of experiences based on their understanding of the Bible.

Each student is a loving person. Love of God, self, and others are essential components in true growth. An understanding of God’s Love, and acceptance of the value of oneself, must be conveyed through the love of God expressed through the teaching staff.

Each student is a serving person. Growth is shown in the Bible as community maturity displayed in unselfishness and selflessness. A willingness to serve others over self-service, and co-operation rather that competition, are goals of maturity to be sought in the student’s life.

Today’s society has drifted away from the value of community. If education results in the creation of a elite class of refined, knowledgeable, skilful and wealthy human beings, isolated from community, then education has failed. The goal of education is to produce a contributing member of society. For the Christian this means the Christian community - the local community of believers, of the Church. However, the Church also must become an effective part of the wider community embracing, local, City, State, Country and the World community. This process will involve, among other things, the preparation of the student for public examination enabling them to be contributing members of the Australian society; teaching them to respect and tolerate people of other religions, nationalities and/or ethnic groups using State curricula so that there are common bases for education; understanding differences in the religious beliefs of people; and being involved in activities that reach into the community.