FROM THE PRINCIPAL


Dear Friends, Welcome back to school!


We have had a great, enthusiastic and very busy commencement to the term and look forward to a rewarding and fulfilling Term 2.


SERVICE At St Andrews Christian College we believe that we are created to serve Jesus and each other.


God designed us to serve so that we are able to make a positive contribution to His Kingdom, despite our sinfulness.


“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10


Our purpose here on earth is to bring good to God’s world and we do this by using the gifts and talents God has given us to serve Him and others.


“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve


others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10


Our gifts and talents are not for our own benefit, but to bless God and others. They are for God’s glory, not ours.


We are born with talents, we build our skills, but spiritual gifts as recorded in the New Testament (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 4) are a gift given to us by the Holy Spirit.


For some people, ‘service’ comes naturally, but for others it can be quite difficult. For this reason we need to be intentional about our service (as well as being open to spontaneous acts) and plan events. Many people don’t think they have anything to offer, but the Bible says we are all designed with something to give.


We are all made in God’s image but uniquely made as different individuals and our uniqueness helps us to do things others cannot do.


I see my position here at St Andrews Christian College as one of service and I am here to serve God and the community of St Andrews. God has given me different gifts and talents to equip me to do His work here and even though I lean on God to guide me, I cannot lead effectively without the help and assistance of all the staff (and many parents!) here at St Andrews. There are many things I am not able to do or qualified to do, so I rely on all the staff as the body of Christ equipped in their own special ways/gifts and talents to contribute and build this wonderful community.


SERVICE AT ST ANDREWS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE Service begins by focussing on God and each class at St Andrews will be involved in some type of service in the College and in the community.


We are also involved in serving our Christian sisters and brothers overseas in building a relationship with


2 St Andrews Christian College Newsletter


Tata School in Vanuatu and in a planned Mission Trip for students (Year 10 – 12) in September this year to Southern India, where we will be working in schools set up by OM (Operation Mobilisation) for the Dalat children (Untouchable Caste).


Incidentally, in our desire to bless God and others we will all be richer from our acts of service. Students will be extended in their reliance on God (building their faith); they will perhaps learn what they are good at (discover their gifts and talents) and begin to learn their ‘purpose-in-life’.


VANUATU I recently travelled to Vanuatu to connect with the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu (PCV) who are taking over 91 schools from the Government.


The purpose of my visit was to:


 Meet with Education Directors of PCV to discuss future training in Christian Education.


 Run Professional Development Sessions with teachers and principals in different schools on Christian Education.


 Find a possible sister school that St Andrews Christian College can encourage and bless.


Praise God for many wonderful outcomes, which include:


 Able to plan for training of teachers in Christian Education for 2013 with Education Director of PCV (Vanuatu) and held discussions with Education Directors about training untrained teachers, particularly in the light of the PCV (Vanuatu) taking over 91 schools from the Government. Training has already commenced with some of these teachers in Untrained Teacher Workshops being run by educationalists from Australia.


 Gave 3 workshops to teachers in 2 different schools on Christian Education and teaching pedagogy


 Connected with a needy school, to commence the building of a relationship with this school (Tata School)


 Encouraged various teachers, principals and members of PCV  Planned for a possible return visit


What this means for us at St Andrews Christian College: On presenting the pictures and story of Tata School, all staff are keen to build a relationship with Tata School to particularly encourage them in Christian Education.


Our students have already commenced fundraising to buy 2 needed water tanks for the school.


I will lead a mission trip (approx 10 days) to Tata School next year (June/ July) for interested staff, parents, Board members and students.


Please see me if you are interested in this venture. I will be showing pictures of Tata School at the PFA meeting in June.


Pray for God’s guidance for the College as we continue to learn how to serve for His glory and for His purposes.


Yours for the Kingdom, Catriona


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