Middle School The Way We See It 2011
Reviewing the Vision, Motto and Mission A Middle School Perspective Our Vision (Or What we want the School to be! ) The purpose of Wyong Christian Community School (WCCS) is to provide a Christian educational community founded on Biblically based beliefs, values and behaviour. We do this to equip young people to be responsible and responsive disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Motto Our Excellence for His Glory Our Emblem A Lighthouse Mission Statement We want Wyong Christian Community School to be a Lighthouse in the Wyong Shire. On the shores of treacherous oceans, a Lighthouse protects, guides, shines a light into the darkness and in doing so gives comfort and welcomes to safe harbours. In the same way, our vision will be achieved through projects initiated and managed across five areas: 1. A Whole-Child Focus every child is important (Protect) 2. Staff Development every teacher outstanding, every lesson critical, a vital and valuable resource (Guide and Shine) 3. Parent and Community Partnerships every relationship valued (Welcome and Comfort) 4. Campus Improvement every resource excellent (Shines) 5. Godly Governance and Administration every decision God-honouring (Shines) Our Guiding Scriptures I do this in order that they may be filled with courage and may be drawn together in love, and so have the full wealth of assurance which true understanding brings. In this way they will know God's secret, which is Christ himself. He is the key that opens all the hidden treasures of God's wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2-3) Instead, by speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ, who is the head. (Ephesians 4:15) Our Core Values Values arise from belief and are the means by which we decide what is or worth and importance in our lives. The following biblically-based values have been identified that we believe are essential in developing Christ-like character. These values are for special focus and reinforcement in learning within Middle School. Love Trust Excellence Community Mission Empowerment The Gospel Honour Leadership Responsibility Grace Commitment Freedom Integrity
Unpacking the Vision Statement The following statements help unpack and articulate the characteristics of what it means to live out or to put legs on our Vision Statement. These lists are not definitive and will hopefully be a work in progress. They are designed to help paint a picture of the culture that is Wyong Christian Community School, a Christian educational community founded on Biblically based beliefs, values and behaviour. Delivering a Christian Education at WCCS Middle School means: 1.1 Glorifying and enjoying God in ALL things (academic pursuits, relationships & facilities) 1.2 Recognising that God is the source of all knowledge and purpose and has created the world to be enjoyed and explored (John10:10) 1.3 Recognising that all learning has social and moral dimensions 1.4 Respecting individuals and diverse ways of learning 1.5 Recognising, valuing and strengthening the partnership between the parents and the school in the education of the young person. 1.6 Providing support for the students with learning difficulties, gifts and talents 1.7 Encouraging students and teachers in lifelong learning 1.8 Recognising and rewarding student achievement and outstanding staff professional practice 1.9 Encouraging staff in their own development and in their understanding and practise of Christian education 1.10 Training and development of staff to be at the forefront of knowledge and skills in the required disciplines, pedagogies and operations of the School 1.11 To provide opportunities for staff to innovate in their professional practice 1.12 Developing and supporting a comprehensive and coherent plan for the professional development and accountability of all staff that reflects the needs and priorities of the School 1.13 Promoting the concept of personal best as an offering to God (Our Excellence for His Glory) (Philippians 4:8) 1.14 Developing facilities and resources that assist the delivery of quality teaching and learning 1.15 Continually reviewing and improving systems and processes that support the development of quality Christian education
to equip young people to be responsible and responsive disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ at WCCS Middle School means: 2.1Encouraging all students to explore, discern, choose and to follow obediently the Lord Jesus Christ 2.2Encourage all people to serve one another in love and in obedience to Christ s command to love your neighbour / to love your enemy as yourselves (Matthew 5:43) 2.3Valuing and honouring every relationship 2.4Helping equip students to be successful members of the community 2.5Providing opportunities for the students to engage in mission and service 2.6Promoting a level of alignment and trust between the expectations of parents and other key stakeholders and the vision and programs of the school 2.7Promoting a high level of alignment between the values, beliefs and attitudes about life and learning held by the School and the members of the School community 2.8Encouraging parents and other stakeholders to passionately advocate for and promote the vision and programs of the School 2.9Providing opportunities for parents and others in the community who are supportive to the School ethos to engage and partner with the educational program of the School 2.10 Developing strong networks with political, civil, Church and other community leaders and organisations, particularly Wyong Baptist Church 2.11 Developing a lifestyle that advocates, promotes and acts on God s concerns for justice and right living
founded on Biblically based beliefs, values and behaviour at WCCS Middle School means: 3.1 Being deeply informed by a Biblical theology and worldview, and empowered to live this out through the working of the Holy Spirit. 3.2 Developing and equipping people to live by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, in obedience to His commands to love the Lord God with all your heart, soul and mind and strength, and to love not only your neighbour as yourself, but your enemies as well 3.3 Applying Biblical principles and precepts to contemporary issues 3.4 Explaining and applying the gospel message that Jesus Christ, through his incarnation, life, death, resurrection and ascension, is both the Lord and Christ 3.5 Promoting the study of the Bible as the written Word of God, all authoritative and inerrant sound for all human endeavour, thought and practice 3.6 Encouraging learners to acknowledge that all their gifts, talents and abilities are given by God and are to be used for His Glory 3.7 Integrating the Christian faith across all areas of teaching and learning 3.8 Understanding that effective critical and creative thinking are founded on Biblically based values, beliefs and behaviours 3.9 Seeking to provide each member of the School community with the opportunity to develop a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ 3.10 Valuing and fostering the experience of God s presence and its expression through personal development and the fruit of the Holy Spirit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control 3.11 Staffing the School with people committed to living worshipfully under the Lordship of God 3.12 Faithfully honouring and fulfilling government and other legislative requirements to enable WCCS to continue being an accredited educational institution 3.13 Ensuring all policies and procedures are fair and transparent
Unpacking Our Mission Statement Our Vision will be achieved through projects initiated and managed across these five main areas: 1 A WHOLE-CHILD FOCUS EVERY CHILD IS IMPORTANT (PROTECT) Studies indicate that leading Schools have a clear focus on educating the whole student. WCCS MS has a clearly defined set of values and beliefs, with high expectations and student well-bring as a priority. MS is committed to implementing a range of practices to personalise learning for all students, build their self esteem and provide them with broad experiences that can assist them with their future. Middle School is committed to instilling a belief in each student that they can achieve at high levels in academic, spiritual and other endeavours. 2 STAFF DEVELOPMENT EVERY TEACHER OUTSTANDING, EVERY LESSON CRITICAL, A VITAL AND VALUABLE RESOURCE (GUIDE AND SHINE) There is a wealth of information and evidence that indicates that the quality of teachers has a significant and measurable effect on student achievement. Simply put, the quality of schools will never exceed the quality of their staff. WCCS MS is committed to: hiring the right staff, developing staff into effective instructors and practitioners, putting in place systems and targeted support to ensure that every child is able to benefit from excellent instruction and helping staff enjoy professional satisfaction and fulfillment whilst teaching in MS. 3 PARENT AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS EVERY RELATIONSHIP VALUED (WELCOME AND COMFORT) Social Capital is a phrase used to refer to the strength of formal and informal partnerships and networks involving the school community. All individuals, agencies, organizations and institutions have that potential to support and in some small way, be supported by the School. In particular, WCCS MS recognizes the very important and special role parents (and grandparents) and adherents have in Christian education and the education of their children in the development of a well-rounded Christian educational community. 4 CAMPUS IMPROVEMENT EVERY RESOURCE EXCELLENT (SHINES) MS is committed to establishing outstanding single gender, co-educational, comprehensive School campus with facilities and programs that makes possible the delivery of quality education and assist students to become responsible and responsive disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. 5 GODLY GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION EVERY DECISION GOD-HONOURING (SHINES) Strong governance systems enable Schools to harness their social capital and align this resource with their intellectual, spiritual and financial capital to support progress towards transformation. MS is committed to applying Biblical principles with transparent accountability in all spheres of its operations. Our Excellence for His Glory!
Every teacher outstanding Every child important Every lesson critical Every resource excellent Delivering a quality Christian educational community founded on Biblically based beliefs, values and behaviour equipping young people to be responsible and responsive disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ with Truth and Wisdom in Christ Every relationship valued Every decision God-honouring Grateful Acknowledgments 1. Caldwell B. And Harris J. (2008). Why Not the Best Schools? Australia. Acer Press. 2. McKinsey report (2007). How the World s Best Schools Come Out on Top. London. McKinsey and Company 3. Bartlett D. and Campey P. (2008). Community Governance. Gosford, Resolve Consulting. 4. Collins J. (2001). Good To Great. USA Collins Business