Winning Hearts and Minds for Christ One School s Journey

What is a Christian School? Meriden isn t: a parent-controlled Christian School a member of the Christian School Association a school where the curriculum is restricted so that certain issues such as contraception or evolution or violence etc are banned. Meriden aims to honour God and His son, Jesus Christ.

Meriden Senior School

Junior School

Some Impressive Facilities

Meriden s Starting Position Commenced in 1897 Day and boarding school for girls Independent Anglican school Support for the Christian faith was dependent on the principal of the time The School eventually became more closely linked with the traditions of the Anglican Church

The School s position in 2007 An Anglican School which acknowledged and practised many of the traditions of the Anglican Church. The School had a hard-working Chaplain, and a relatively active student work in the Senior School. However, the overall Christian ministry of the School seemed to be localised and inconsistent across the campuses.

A Christ-honouring School There must be a School Council that is made up of only Bible-believing people who are active in an evangelical protestant church.

A Christ-honouring School cont. There must be a School Council that is made up of only Bible-believing people who are active in an evangelical protestant church. The School community must pray.

A Christ-honouring School cont. There must be a School Council that is made up of only Bible-believing people who are active in an evangelical protestant church. The School community must pray. The School must have a critical mass of Christian teachers, particularly in key subject areas: PDHPE, English and the Principal of course. There needs to be a Chaplain.

A Christ-honouring School cont. The Christian work at the School must be a priority in the timetable, in rooming, in staff allocations, in the School s symbolism.

5. A Christ-honouring School cont. The Christian work at the School must be a priority in the timetable, in rooming, in staff allocations, in the School s symbolism. Christian values must be evident throughout the School.

A Christ-honouring School cont. The Christian work at the School must be a priority in the timetable, in rooming, in staff allocations, in the School s symbolism. Christian values must be evident throughout the School. Christian students must be taught leadership skills.

A Christ-honouring School cont. The School must be doing an effective job in the classroom, offering a high-quality education.

A Christ-honouring School cont. The School must be doing an effective job in the classroom, offering a high-quality education A Christian perspective must be given regarding key curricular issues in a liberal education.

Meriden s Journey All the School Council members are now Biblebelieving Christians who attend evangelical protestant, mostly Anglican, Churches. They regularly pray for the School.

Meriden s Journey cont. All the School Council members are now Biblebelieving Christians who attend evangelical protestant, mostly Anglican, Churches. They regularly pray for the School. The School prays.

Chaplain

Assistant Chaplain

Meriden s Journey cont. The Christian ministry was made a priority in the infrastructure of the School.

Meriden s Journey cont. The Christian ministry was made a priority in the infrastructure of the School. Christ is honoured in the language and symbolism of the School.

Meriden s Journey cont. The Christian ministry was made a priority in the infrastructure of the School. Christ is honoured in the language and symbolism of the School. Leadership training in their faith is provided to the older girls.

Leadership Training

Leadership

Ex-students

Leadership Training

Joint Student Christian Camp

Junior School Leadership

An Effective Teaching and Learning Framework for Christian Schools should: bring together everything that is important in a school be based on current educational research have the Christian faith as its clear foundation give structure and purpose to PD be easily understood and make sense.

Meriden s Journey cont. The Christian ministry was made a priority in the infrastructure of the School. Christ is honoured in the ethos and symbolism of the School. Leadership training in their faith is provided to the older girls. A teaching-learning framework was written the Fidelis Model

The Fidelis Model It can be applied broadly to all students, PK Year 12 It is compatible with the Australian curriculum The terminology has a common understanding and is, therefore, easily communicated It is based on current research and strategies of best practice in education It acknowledges a student s holistic learning, inside and outside the classroom It supports a school ethos of individual attention to each student within a positive, Christian school community.

The Fidelis Model Inspiring Young Minds Nurturing Spirited Hearts Equipping Life-long Learners Developing Global Citizens Building Strong Faith

The Fidelis Model Christian Foundations: Building Strong Faith Knowledge and Understanding: Inspiring Young Minds Learning Practices: Equipping Life-Long Learners Capabilities: Developing Global Citizens Attitudes and Values: Nurturing Spirited Hearts.

Christian Foundations: Building Strong Faith Faithfulness Hope Love Grace

Knowledge and Understanding: Inspiring Young Minds Learning Environment Curriculum Design Classroom Learning

Learning Practices: Equipping Life-Long Learners Skilled Communicators Resourceful Learners Flexible Thinkers

Skilled Communicators

Citizenship: Developing Global Citizens Global Outlook Leadership Sustainability

Global Outlook

Leadership

Sustainability

Attitudes and Values: Nurturing Spirited Hearts Valuing of Self and Others Cultivating Resilience and Reflection Practising Generous Participation

Practising Generous Participation

Valuing of Self and Others

A Christ-honouring School There must be a School Council that is made up of only Bible-believing people who are active in an evangelical protestant church. The School community must pray. The School must have a critical mass of Christian teachers, particularly in key subject areas: PDHPE, English and the Principal of course. There needs to be a Chaplain.

A Christ-honouring School The Christian work at the School must be a priority in the timetable, in rooming, in staff allocations, in the School s symbolism. Christian values must be evident throughout the School. Christian students must be taught leadership skills.

A Christ-honouring School The School must be doing an effective job in the classroom, offering a high-quality education A Christian perspective must be given regarding key curricular issues in a liberal education.