Our staff core value, “Integrating our Christian faith into all aspects of learning” is one that closely aligns with another one, “making Christ the centre of everything we do.”
To use the analogy of baptism, where some schools, practice a “sprinkling” form of integrating faith, we aim for more of “immersion.” We want students not just to encounter God in chapels and devotions and Bible class – but really through the full curricum and throughout each day.
We hope that students will understand that engaging in learning activities – whether that be solving equations, performing experiments, writing an essay, reading a novel, or developing their artistic, musical, or athletic abilities – can be an act of worship, as it draw them deeper into an understanding and experience of God and His creation.
Over the past couple of years we’ve been implementing the Teaching for Transformation (TfT) framework. At the beginning of each school year our teachers create and share their deep hope for the school year. These are posted on or near classroom doors so to be visible and remembered throughout the year. Many teachers also invite students to develop and share deep hopes they have for the year. During the year, teachers develop a story line/story board which shows connections made between the learning and the learners and God’s story. We want students to understand that like Moses, Abraham, Esther, and the disciples, we are all a part of God’s story and He invites us to be active participants in how that story enfolds.
Another component of TfT are the 10 Throughlines which are discipleship habits and practices and also lenses through which we can explore and see God’s world.
We learned about all ten – God Worshipping, Idolatry Discerning, Creation Enjoying, Beauty Creating, Order Discovering, Justice Seeking, Servant Working, Earth Keeping, Community Building, and Image Reflecting – in our chapels last year. The continued use of the throughlines in our classes can help the integration of faith be more seamless and it also allows for deeper learning and understanding to take place.
Through it all, we want to follow the words of Psalm 78:4, “We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.”