Operated by Illawarra Christian Education
(02) 4239 5200

Governance

The proprietor, Illawarra Association for Christian Parent-Controlled Education, known as Illawarra Christian Education, operates:
  • Illawarra Christian School
  • Illawarra Christian School Prep
  • Calderwood Christian School
  • Calderwood Prep

Philosophy

Illawarra Christian Education schools are based on the concept that the education of children is primarily a parental responsibility and not simply the responsibility of the State (Deuteronomy 6:4-7).  Our schools are an extension of the Christian home, with home and school working in partnership in the education of the child, as detailed in our Vision and Mission Statements and Educational Creed.

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Illawarra Christian Education’s aims may be summarised as follows:

  • To provide a Christ-centred Bible-based education
  • To teach children to think Christianly
  • To assist children to make the best possible use of their God-given gifts and abilities
  • To involve parents, actively, in the education of their children, by their participation in the day to day activities of the school and in its general operation
  • To maintain consistency in training and teaching between home and school, while preparing the children to be Christ’s disciples in the world

Illawarra Christian Education seeks to train the whole person, for the purpose of fulfilling their God-given destiny, to know and love God, and to serve Him in the context of family, church and society.

At Illawarra Christian Education, the way we seek to operate our schools is not something prescribed by Scripture but is our response to Scripture.

Biblical basis for Christian schooling

  1. All things are to be done for the glory of God
  2. Education should be Christ-Centred
  3. Education is a parental responsibility – not a state or teacher responsibility
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  1. All things are to be done for the glory of God

Christians are called to do all things to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31  So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

This takes the form of complete dedication and service to God.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5  Hear, O Israel:  The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

  1. Education should be Christ-Centred

A Knowledge apart from God is false knowledge.

Romans 1:28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

Potential for the renewal of the mind is part of the gospel grace.

Romans 12:2  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

B True knowledge begins and ends with Christ

2 Corinthians 10:5.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Colossians 1:16-17  For by him all things were created:  things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Ephesians 1:10 …. to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be the glory for ever!  Amen.

  1. Education is a parental responsibility – not a state or teacher responsibility

The Bible lays down distinct areas of responsibility to various institutions:

A The church is to preach and teach the Word of God and to administer the sacraments, for the edification of believers.

Ephesians 4:11-12  It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

It is also to evangelise.

Matthew 28:19  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

B The State has been given authority by God to govern and, in particular, to maintain law and order in a fallen world.

Romans 13:1-7  Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities……………

C Parents are responsible for the education of their children.

Parents are to be diligent in teaching their children.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up………….

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Ephesians 6:4  Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

The fifth commandment assumes the parents’ authority over their children.

Exodus 20:12  “Honour your father and your mother,……………….

Children are to heed their parents.

Proverbs 1:8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

D The teacher functions as an extension of the parents’ authority. The Bible gives no mandate to the teacher in his/her own right. However, in the Parent Control model, parents and teachers function in partnership, for the godly education and upbringing of each child.

Operating within our structure

We believe that parents as individuals will be required to answer before God with regard to the training of their children.  Our model of education provides for this responsibility to be shared with the teaching staff which has been delegated authority through the Association, composed of Christian parents.  Parents and teachers work in partnership as they provide for the spiritual, emotional, social, intellectual and physical well being of the child.

Our model provides parents (through membership of the Association) with the capacity to directly influence their children’s education.

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Our structure seeks to protect the rights of parents in discharging their individual responsibilities and, at the same time, clearly lay down the basis for maintaining the relationships that bind us together

In order for the Association to function, members must be prepared to submit their individualism to the considered will of the group as a whole.  It would indeed be idealistic to expect that as a community we could come to one mind in all matters.  The potential for disagreement must be recognised and some individuals may need to make the choice between accepting a corporate decision or forfeiting membership of the Association.

Roles within the structure

The Association
The Association is a group of like-minded Christian people who have joined together to ensure that their goals of providing Christian Education are met.  When the Association meets together, it is the prime decision making body of the school.  The Constitution, particularly the Educational Creed, provides the framework for the operation of the Association and its members.

Purpose of the School Association

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The Association, which elects the Board, may:

  • Develop and approve policy
  • Take recommendations to the Board
  • Seek explanations of Board directions
  • Direct the Board

Decisions are arrived at by a majority vote of financial members.

Members of the Association have a responsibility to act in Christ-like manner towards one another.  They should give due consideration to the well being of the whole community.  Members ought always to pursue right relationships with one another.  The framework for dealing with any issue of concern is set out in the Resolution of Issues Policy.

Christian families wishing to join the Association can do so by completing this form and returning it to the school Business Centre.

Individual members and parents

Parents can exercise their God-given responsibility by becoming members of the Association and thereby contributing to policy, school governance and the development of Biblically based curriculum.

A member/parent does not have individual authority to affect change but may bring matters of concern to the attention of the relevant people.

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Association members should exercise responsibility by:

  • Attending Association meetings, voting on matters raised in a reasoned way, and bringing before the Association matters of concern
  • Nominating and electing Board members
  • Being available for election as Board members, task force members and/or subcommittee members
  • Promptly paying Association membership fees and completing the recommitment document.

Parents and Association members should exercise responsibility by:

  • Adhering to the Creed and Constitution
  • Being actively involved in the life of the school – participating in school functions, attending working bees, assisting teachers etc.
  • Bringing matters of interest and concern to the attention of Board members
  • Positively embracing Association and Board decisions
  • Upholding the authority of the teacher and actively developing a supportive relationship between parent and teacher
  • Making payments of school fees in accordance with the School Fees Schedule.

Members of the Board

Board members are charged with the responsibility of managing the Association’s affairs.

Board members must ensure that their stewardship responsibility is first and foremost to the Association and they ought not act as individuals in Association matters.

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The Board represents the Association.  It is responsible for:

  • The election of the Board Chairperson
  • The development of the strategic plan which determines the practical outworking of our model of education
  • Financial oversight of the Association
  • Membership of the Association
  • The establishment of subcommittees to support special projects and initiatives
  • Governance of each school including:
    • The oversight of curriculum and courses of study
    • The development of policy

Board members ought to be careful when expressing their personal opinions that they are not misunderstood to be expressing a decision of the Association/Board.

Executive Principal

The Executive Principal is an employee of the Association and is appointed by the Board.  The Executive Principal is an authority in education and as such is an advisor to the Board. It is the Executive Principal’s responsibility to implement the Strategic Plan. To achieve this, the Executive Principal is responsible for the employment of all staff and the oversight of all operational issues.

Matters of dispute

All matters of dispute within the school community should be addressed promptly, with a view to reconciliation. They should not become matters for idle talk or rumour.  In specific issues that are not able to be readily resolved the procedure outlined in the Resolution of Issues Policy should be followed carefully.

It is most unlikely that we would all agree on all matters all the time.  However, if we act toward one another in an attitude of loving concern, and follow the principles laid down for us in the Bible, the life of the community will be enhanced.  The Constitution and the Creed leave no room for broken fellowship between members.

In summary

Partnership based on trust and communication is the principle which defines relationships within our school.  Each sector of the school community needs to trust the other, and to communicate concerns and encouragement as they share, in partnership, the God-given task of bringing up children in the fear and nurture of our Lord.

At Illawarra Christian Education we humbly recognise God’s continual and plentiful provision. We praise Him for the many blessings that we have received and give thanks for the faithful people who have contributed to the working out of the vision for Christian Education in the Illawarra.  We seek always to maintain our focus on Christ as we work together in harmony to continue His work in our school.

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