Jaylene Fergus has a Bachelor of Music degree with a major in both ‘Performance’ and ‘Music Education’. For all inquiries regarding piano or vocal tuition please phone Jaylene Fergus 0401032440 or email fergusjaylene@gmail.com
I would like to start with words from a modern-day psalm from Christian Band, Social Club Misfits if I may…
Jesus Christ was indeed a misfitHe was so uncomfortable with the state and condition of this worldThat He got up off the right hand side of the Father… And He descended to earth and …And as a result He died because of His discomfortWhich was yours and my sinsJesus Christ was a misfit and at the end of His life they crucified HimThey crucified Him on a crossJesus died as a result of His discomfort
Wavemasters
Professor Darren Iselin, in his article, “There arose a generation that did not remember: The challenge of maintaining distinctively Christian institutional cultures in an era of change”, reports that religious organisations go through three phases in their life: The Pioneer Phase, The Midlife Phase and the Maturity and Potential Decline Phase. Iselin warns of the potential decline of a religious educational institution as they become “prisoners of social systems” (p.18) who focus more on survival and being relevant competition than the original vision of a distinctive, unapologetic, centred Christian education. A misfit education, an uncomfortable one if you allow me the embellishment. It then becomes paramount that Richmond Christian College heed this warning, despite the discomfort and difficulty that may ensue...
2019 saw RCC renew its strategic direction to ensure it remains wholly committed to a distinctively Christian education for Ballina. The renewed direction operationalises our vision to be Christ-centred, biblically based, academically rigorous and culturally relevant through deliberately seeking to bring Kingdom Engagement now through a focus on five schooling pillars: Student, Teachers, Place, Community and Governance.
In celebrating our distinctive education in 2019 I could share with you the developments we made in our facilities to be competitive with other schools in our area, and we must celebrate: the launch of our Tech shed; the virtual completion of stage two of the Performing Arts precinct – the MPC stage and open, multiple learning spaces of the MPC (Stage 1 being our excellent music room with break out studios and recording equipment); and phase 1 of the outdoor chapel completely funded by the SRC. Whilst all these things are brilliant, if they are the focus of our celebration, then we are falling victim to the social systems that Iselin warned us of.
For 2019, we must celebrate and be thankful for the multiple opportunities we presented to our students, our families and our community to grow as disciples of Christ.
For example…
1. I am thankful for the launch of the Academic Excellence program in the secondary school afforded students the opportunity to leave their comfort zones, and proactively engage with politics. Through a service-learning model the students gained a grant of around $3K to sow into the school environment. Simultaneously, in the primary and secondary schools staff continued to provide focused learning for students in class to address their strengths and weaknesses; to grow and improve in character and knowledge.
2. I am grateful for the school leadership program that afforded students from Year 2 to grow in understanding of what it is to lead and serve as Christ did. The result is a student body who serves their local, national and global communities.
3. I am thankful for the moments we are able to offer our students that provides them an opportunity to influence others for good. To watch our sporting teams represent the school with distinction, or our performing arts students challenge mainstream ‘truths’ and face their fears as they perform at CAPA nights is powerful. Ultimately though, seeing our HSC students submit art that glorifies their Maker and confronts the markers with truth is a pinnacle moment in their education.
4. I am proud of the way our staff, parents and grandparents were able to interact with each other through the launch of Relate@RCC. It was a privilege to see the sharing of the Good News of Christ and our community supporting each other.
5. I appreciate the way that staff purposefully embed Christ into everyday teaching to create opportunities and experiences that promote foundational gospel truths in everyday learning. They ensure all our students recognise and encounter the Truth of Christ; growing in their understanding that God is real and He is with us always, not just in Bible, chapel or when we pray in the morning.
6. I am grateful that we are a school who is able to train and release staff to other areas of Australia to have further positive impact on Christian education in this country. I am thankful for the staff God has given us, and while we are sad to see some go, I am excited about the staff and Board members God has provided us with to continue to sow into the distinctive, educative environment we are creating here as we purposefully engage with God’s Kingdom now and seek renewal through education.
Whilst out physical development and promotion of facilities is important, it must be done in service of the grander vision – our desire to be Christ centred, biblically based, academically rigorous and culturally relevant and seizing the opportunities for student development that come encounters with Truth, mercy, hope, grace and created purpose. These are the distinctive learning opportunities we provide that we are proud of, opportunities that define learning the RCC way.
2019 saw a number of challenges come our way, often. It was truly an unexpected journey, though I feel it may be only a warmup for this year and the years to come. It is our passion that in 2020 and beyond we continue to seek to provide renewal through education as we learn the RCC way. It is critical we heed the warning given in Iselin’s research to not capitulate to the line of decline that the majority of Christian Education services have followed, but rather purposefully understand who we are; who God created us to be for Ballina and continue to offer our distinctive education that creates students who know Jesus his hope and purpose.
So thank you to our parents who continue to support us, thank you to our Board members who perpetually sacrifice for us, thank you to this staff who relentlessly serve and thank you to our God whose passionate pursuit of his people provides us with the faith to see and live a renewed life for Him and for others.
God commands us to Love him with our heart and soul and mind and to rely on Him for all our needs. He is the author and perfecter of our faith and in Him all things are possible. It is on these truths that we continue to embrace and fight for our opportunity to educate our children according to God’s truth.
Good tidings,
Jonno.
