FAQs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Check through some of the most common questions raised regarding our curriculum, enrolment process, extracurricular activities, and more. Still have a question? Fill in the form to the right and we will be in touch.

How is GCCS governed?

GCCS is owned by the John Calvin Christian School Society, which elects a Board of Directors each year.

GCCS runs something like a co-op or credit union. The parents are “clients” who can become members of the organization that owns the school. At the Spring General Meeting, the members elect a Board of Directors. The Board hires qualified professionals to run the day-to-day operations. The Board meets monthly, appoints committees, and works to ensure that the school is being run according to its policies.

Parents who are members are involved in school operations through committees which oversee finances, program, human resources, promotion, facilities, fundraising, etc. Other daily volunteering opportunities do not require a parent to be a member. This can include volunteering in the classroom, on playground supervision, driving on class trips, etc. as schedules permit. We expect parents who are in regular contact with students to obtain criminal reference checks.

Is GCCS associated with any church?

GCCS is an independent school. Our families attend over 30 different churches in Guelph and the surrounding area. Several churches include our school as a “home mission” item in their budgets, for which we are very grateful. But our Board is member-selected, not appointed by any of the churches with which we have contact.

What kind of Christian activities and teachings do you follow?

We are a Christian school, and all students take part in a number of religious activities. These include, but are not limited to:

classroom prayers that are spoken aloud by the teacher and/or the students
regular lessons, projects and tests aimed at developing and assessing both Old and New Testament knowledge
frequent whole-school chapels which involve singing songs of Christian worship, prayers, and listening to speakers give lessons about Christian living
memory work of Bible passages that are assigned and tested weekly
integration of Christian philosophy into the entire curriculum

Some elements of the Christian worldview mesh easily with the secular outlook found in public schools, such as the importance of respecting others and taking personal responsibility. Some elements, however, may run counter to prevailing secular assumptions. To the extent these issues arise in the context of the school’s curriculum, it is important to understand that we affirm Christian, rather than secular, viewpoints.

There is more that unites Christians than divides them. Our teachers do not make prescriptive statements on topics such as distinct forms of sacraments, e.g., baptism, or communion, or eschatology.

What is your discipline policy?

Because we emphasize character-building, Christian values and mutual respect in all aspects of our program, we have found that punitive disciplinary measures are required very rarely. We place considerable importance on building a warm, caring community through restorative practices. Parents who visit the school can see for themselves the positive atmosphere at GCCS.

If discipline problems arise, we have three key words in our policy: respect, restitution and reconciliation. Misbehaviours are categorized as either minor or major. A minor misbehaviour will be documented in the office, the student will have to meet with anyone who was affected by his/her actions and restore that relationship (this may involve a consequence like a recess time-out), and parents will be informed. Any damage will be repaid or restored. If there are no further problems in the next 10 weeks, the documentation is destroyed. Our goal is to have healthy citizens.

A major misbehaviour such as assault would result in automatic suspension. The student would have to meet with those affected by his/her actions before being re-admitted to restore a damaged relationship. The steps would progress to longer suspensions, and then expulsion would be considered.

If you have concerns about particular situations or needs, please contact the principal to discuss.

How do you select teachers?

A Human Resource sub-committee, appointed by the Board of Directors, interviews candidates and makes recommendations to the Board which offers the contracts. We advertise for teachers online through Christian Education websites and through social media. All our teachers share a personal faith in Jesus Christ, and hold either an Ontario Teaching Certificate or a Bachelor of Christian Education. Teachers also have their Christian School Teacher Certificate or are working towards completing it.

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What curriculum do you use?

The members of the faculty and the administration are responsible for the curriculum at GCCS although input and feedback are welcomed from the other members of the school community. This process involves consultation with outside resources including other Christian school, our Christian school associations, and also reviewing the Ontario curriculum to ensure that our curriculum meets or exceeds those expectations. Some of our curriculum materials for various subjects and grades are purchased while others are created by the members of our faculty.

How does your program compare to the public schools?

Our school exists because we believe that parents are the primary educators of children and have a God-given responsibility to educate according to God’s standards. Therefore we have implemented a program based on our priorities and worldview, rather than simply adopting the priorities of government officials and secular authorities.

Our school’s educational philosophy is that true learning starts with the acknowledgement that God exists, and that His word defines true knowledge. We study to uncover and apply the wonders of His creation as a way of serving Him, and our fellow creatures. We recognize the importance of intellectual growth, skills formation and character development as integral to the growth of children. Our program covers all the basic academic elements of public schools, such as reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies and physical education, and we have enriched it with Christian material to ensure that our children receive a truly Christian education.

While we operate independently of government, we do consider government initiatives and adapt innovations that are compatible with our philosophy. We monitor the quality of our program through the use of standardized tests like Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments. These tests show that our program is well ahead of national averages. We also get positive feedback from the high schools that our graduates attend.

How are parent concerns addressed?

If a person in the school community, a parent or a staff member, has a complaint about an employee of the school, or a volunteer, or a committee or Board member, that involves serious allegations of abuse, illegal activity, unethical or immoral behaviour they should immediately contact the principal and/or the Chair of the Board of Directors.

If the concerns are not of that nature and severity, then the complainant should go through the following process:

In the spirit of Matthew 18:15, go first to the perceived offender to seek clarification and understanding.
If that first step does not bring resolution and restoration, and the complaint is against a teacher or volunteer, the complainant should approach the principal who will facilitate a process to bring resolution and restoration through restorative practices. If the complaint is against the principal, the complaint should be put in writing and sent to the Vice-Chair of the Human Resources Committee. That Vice-Chair will arrange for a meeting of the complainant and the principal in order to conduct an informal restorative circle.
If resolution and restoration are still not achieved, the principal will convene a meeting with the complainant and the perceived offender with the additional involvement of the Human Resources Committee. If the complaint is against the principal and the informal restorative circle does not bring resolution and restoration, the Vice Chair of the Human Resources Committee with arrange a formal restorative circle with a trained facilitator.

If a person in the school community, a parent or a staff member, has a complaint about a policy or procedure at the school, they should go through the following process:

The complainant should go first to the Chair of the appropriate committee to begin the process of resolution.
If the first step does not bring resolution and restoration, the complainant should ask the Chair or Vice-Chair of the Human Resources Committee to arrange for and attend a meeting of the complainant and the other committee chair in order to conduct an informal restorative circle.
If the informal restorative circle does not bring resolution and restoration, the Chair or Vice-Chair of the Human Resources Committee will arrange a formal restorative circle with a trained facilitator.

The outcome of any complaint that reaches the Human Resources Committee shall be reported to the Executive of the Board of Directors by either the Chair or Vice-Chair of the committee.

The Chairperson of the Board reserves the right to report appropriate complaints to the appropriate authorities (eg. Child and Family Services) is that is deemed necessary.

Does the school provide transportation?

A parent committee has arranged for busing in combination with Woodland Christian High School. The committee tries to arrange a route that is convenient to all the participating families. There is an additional fee for busing. Please contact the school if you require more information about bus routes or would like to indicate an interest in using bus transportation.

Does your school have a uniform?

At GCCS we do not have a uniform but do have a dress code for students.

Attitudes are often reflected in dress. We encourage neat and modest attire. Some details of our dress code include:

Minimal holes or tears
Tops must meet bottoms
Underwear should be covered, e.g. straps and waistbands
Shorts must provide full coverage (no short shorts)
No spaghetti straps, thick tank top straps (think lasagna, not spaghetti)
No offensive ads or slogans
No hats or hoods in class
Shoes must be worn indoors at all times

The school allows each student to have two pairs of footwear at the school during the school day. One pair for outdoor use and one pair to be worn indoors. The indoor shoes should be applicable for physical education classes. Only one pair of shoes should be left at school at the end of the day in order to respect space and safety.

Swim wear is appropriate for some school activities. The same principles should apply, i.e. neat and modest, tops should meet bottoms, etc.

What extra-curricular activities do you offer?

Gym, music and art are part of our regular program. At the Grade 7 and 8 levels, music involves band instruction. Extra-curricular activities vary from year to year, but typically involve Junior and Senior Choirs, and Concert Band. We also have had Drama Club, and Battle of the Books Club. Our sports teams compete in tournaments with other Christian schools in cross-country running, soccer, volleyball, hockey, basketball, baseball and track and field. Class trips take place at all levels. Younger grades go to popular attractions like the African Lion Safari and the Metro Zoo. Upper grades do a cycling trip in the Niagara Falls region, a class trip to Ottawa and other challenging outings.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How is GCCS governed?

Is GCCS associated with any church?

What kind of Christian activities and teachings do you follow?

What is your discipline policy?

How do you select teachers?

Any Questions?
Ask Us!!

We would love to hear from you if need any help

What curriculum do you use?

How does your program compare to the public schools?

How are parent concerns addressed?

Does the school provide transportation?

Does your school have a uniform?

What extra-curricular activities do you offer?

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Any Questions? Ask Us!!

We would love to hear from you if need any help

About Us

Quick Link

Useful Links

School Time

Pledging to GCCS

Any Questions?
Ask Us!!