Faith Development

PROCEDURE

In keeping with its Special Character, our school will:

1. Provide a Spiritual environment that actively challenges children to develop a personal relationship with Christ.

2. Provide an orderly, planned school environment along with learning experiences that give opportunity for all children to achieve to their maximum potential.

3. Foster intellectual curiosity that will motivate children to want to explore and learn.

4. Encourage children to become decision makers and problem solvers - having the ability to resolve issues for themselves.

5. Develop technological skills that will enable them to adapt and change to meet the ever changing demands of a technological world.

6. Foster an environment where children can “be themselves” without fear of ridicule and discrimination, encouraging the development of positive interpersonal relationship skills.

7. Encourage responsibility and respect for the world community resulting in service to others and in caring for their environment.

DEVELOPMENT OF FAITH AND LEARNING

There should be no dichotomy between sacred and secular in the life of a Christian. The character of God, as revealed to us in the Bible, is the centre and source of all topics studied.

DAILY WORSHIP

This is a special time of learning and sharing. A 10-15 minute devotional sets the tone for the day.

VARIETY OF PRAYER EXPERIENCES

Teachers are required to incorporate prayer throughout the day, inviting students to put forward prayer requests and give each child opportunity and encouragement to pray. This could include keeping a class Prayer Journal, so requests and answers may be recorded.

BIBLE STUDIES

The School Chaplain conducts voluntary Bible studies at the School for senior students.

CHAPLAIN

The role of the Chaplain is to complement that of the teaching staff. Specific tasks performed by the Chaplain will depend on the individual skills and interests of the Chaplain, along with the changing needs of the student body. These tasks may include:

• Involvement in School programmes

• Conducting Bible studies at appropriate times

• Involvement in Worship and assemblies

• Visitation to homes of students when required

• Spending time at School interacting with students to build up relationships

• Promote evangelistic potential of School to local Church

• Be available for pastoral care

READING MATERIAL

The School will select appropriate library and reading books, which promote quality Christian reading material and fit with our School's Special Character. Students are also encouraged to be discerning about the things they read, watch and listen to.

FORMAL BIBLE LESSONS

Each day classes spend 30 minutes studying Bible as a subject. It is given equal status with the other Essential Learning Areas. All aspects of the Bible Curriculum are taught from a strong Seventh-day Adventist perspective. This is done by presenting scriptural evidence to the students and encouraging them to make choices according to the inspired Word of God. The Encounter Bible Curriculum is used throughout the school and is the basis for all Bible teaching for formal Bible Lessons.

WEEK OF WORSHIP

Each year the School sets aside a week in the school programme, which is designed to focus the attention on spiritual matters. A guest speaker may be invited for the week or a theme chosen and a variety of speakers used. Each child uses this week to facilitate a commitment to Christ, by being providing with appropriate opportunities for decision making.

SCHOOL CHURCH SERVICE

At least once a year the School as a whole prepares and conducts the main Worship service of the local Church. Every student is involved in the programme so all parents, including non Seventh-day Adventists, attend Church that day. This provides an opportunity for students to develop confidence in singing, speaking and leading out in Worship.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES

We want to foster a love of service in the lives of our students. Service Projects will occur depending on needs and may include any of the following:

• Prayer Partners

• Visits to retirement homes

• Operation Christmas Child

• Random Acts of Kindness

• Food Bank

• Letter boxing - goodwill notes

• 40 Hour Famine

• ADRA fund raising projects

• Social evenings at school for all parents and pupils

• Create programmes to involve parents

SINGING

Singing is an important part of spiritual development as it helps to internalise many concepts and values. It is also used in this school as a way of memorising scripture. Children are encouraged to view singing as an important part of Worship. 

COMBINED CHAPEL

Once a week the first period of the day is set aside for Worship and, during this time, the School Chaplain or a guest speaker will speak to the students.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

Students are taught the principles of praying for others and encouraged to see it as a ministry. Staff are encouraged to pray for a specific child each day in Staff Worship. The week before, parents may receive an invitation to join the staff in prayer either at School or in their home for their child.

REDEMPTIVE DISCIPLINE

Some of the most important lessons students learn about God and how He deals with sin and sinners can be learned by the way their parents and teachers handle discipline.

The purpose of discipline is not merely behaviour modification. We endeavour to take and pray with each child to help them to see the wrong they have done, admit it and exhibit true repentance. This will promote self-discipline and lasting changes in behaviour.

CONCLUSION

Christian growth is a life long process.  As an individual's picture of God develops so does their consciousness of a need to accept Him as Saviour and Lord and a desire to live a life pleasing to God. This is the primary focus and aim of the school.

Many of the aspects above are now included in our Discipleship Pathways Framework Document which is below:

Outreach to Families

The first point of outreach is achieved through the Proprietors' Representative visit. They outline beliefs of the Church – this is usually completed by the Pastor/Chaplain.

Once the child is attending the school, they are in a class where the Bible is the centrepiece of the curriculum. Emphasis on developing vibrant personal faith with all its spiritual and practical facets and implications by:

• • • Values Project – children are encouraged to demonstrate and incorporate the appropriate value in their actions and speech

    • Bible emphasis in every subject

    • Combined Worship as well as Class Worship

    • Visiting speakers for Worship – along with visits from the Church Pastor

    • Week of Worship

    • Singing and incidental discussions on spiritual things

    • School Chaplain is at school once a week to play with children and to be available for pastoral care

    • Children pray at every combined meeting

    • Special prayer sessions when the need arises

Children are asked to make a commitment to follow Christ through out their time at our school by:

• • Discussions during Worship sessions

  • During class time

  • During Week of Worship

  • Commitment to Community Service projects

  • Church and Sabbath School attendance opportunities

  • Adventurers/Pathfinders

  • Junior and Big Camp

  • Students are encouraged to participate in Church social activities and participate in Church services during the year. The children also sing and perform at a variety of Invercargill Rest Homes, including Bainfield Park.

The mission of the SDA Church is also followed by:

1. Publishing social events from the local Invercargil Adventist Church n the fortnightly newsletter

2. Encouraging SDA families to develop friendships with non-SDA families

3. Any Parental interest in attending the Seventh-day Adventist Church is referred to the Church Pastor or a Church Elder for Bible study classes and/or Baptism