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Presbyterian Church Schools' Resource Office Newsletter
July 2018
Kia ora tatou
I am writing to you from my new office in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton) where I have a lovely space to work from based at the Waikato Anglican Diocese Office (with thanks to Anne van Gend of the Anglican Schools' Office for facilitating that connection).
My husband and I moved here in early June so that Brian can take up the role of Medical Director at Hospice Waikato and we are enjoying getting to know Hamilton.
I am finding that there is a certain vulnerability to 'being new'. It's easy to get lost, even with Google Maps, and it takes a while to learn about the 'go to' places for food, shopping, entertainment and well, just about everything really!
Being new feels awkward and somewhat uncomfortable as we find out about our new community, discover places of belonging and lean on other people's support to help us 'settle in'. A few people have gone out of their way to make us feel welcome, to open their homes and to invite us along to things that are happening. We are very grateful!
It has reminded me of the important work done in our schools of offering hospitality and a continually welcoming stance for students and staff alike as a key expression of the Christian ethos of our schools. It is not difficult work, but it does require intention and energy, noticing and drawing in those who for whatever reason are vulnerable, awkward or uncomfortable. As Malcolm Gordon's song Pioneers of Hope written for the Presbyterian schools' network puts it:
This is a place of belonging, manaakitanga to you.
Help us to hold the door open, and our hearts and our minds open too.
May it be so for you in your school as you begin Term Three
Sharon Ross Ensor
Director
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Presbyterian Church Schools' Conference
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Registrations for this year's conference close on Friday July 27th.
The conference is being held at John McGlashan College, Maori Hill, Dunedin on August 9 and 10.
Our theme is: Heart and Soul | Wairua me te Whatu Manawa, Reflecting on our Presbyterian schools' passionate commitment to whole-hearted education.
We are looking forward to some very interesting presenters joining us, the opportunity to meet together and strengthen our network and to the conference dinner which is being held at Knox College with Judge Michael Crosbie as the guest speaker.
For information about the conference and to register online go to: http://presschools.org.nz/conference/
We are running a Year 12 Student Gathering alongside the conference again this year, in partnership with Presbyterian Support. The Student Gathering will be held at Knox College and has the theme of Poverty and Wellbeing. We look forward to the students joining us for the conference dinner and again on Friday morning when they will tell us about what they have been learning at the Student Gathering.
The New Zealand Association of Religious Education Teachers and School Chaplains (NZARETSC) conference is being held at Knox College on August 6-8. For more information you can contact Dr Jennifer Macleod: jmacleod@columbacollege.school.nz
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MARK Illustrated Gospel Project: led by Malcolm Gordon of the Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership, the Illustrated Gospel Project has published a second volume, reflecting on the gospel of Mark through a collaborative collection of contemporary art, music, poetry, creative prayer and reflections, all through the lens of Aotearoa. The Illustrated Gospel Project resources are available in printed form (which each Chaplain will be given a copy of at the conference) and online at www.illustratedgospel.org (click on the menu bar for The Illustrated Gospel Project to find the resources for Mark) The featured image is called Faith in Action by Rebecca Lona, reflecting on Mark 2:1-12
The Bible Project's video The Image of God (about 6 minutes long) explores what it means to be 'made in the image of God' as revealed by Jesus Christ. Related content and other resources are also included.
The Bible Project web-site is well worth a look. It has a library of short movies, with related content and resources, which explore the books of the Bible, the great themes within it and the connection with Jesus.
New Zealand Christians in Science. Have a look at their web-site www.nzcis.org which has interesting resources, including short videos, on the intersect between science and faith. On July 26th Prof Murray Rae speaks at the University of Otago on The Doctrine of Creation and Why it Matters for Science. There is also a winter series running during August at Auckland University's McLaurin Chapel on God and Suffering. More information on both of those events can be found here.
The 'science and faith intersect' is something which the Anglican and Presbyterian schools' offices plan to collaborate on in 2018 and 2019 to draw together resources and curriculum for our schools.
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Middle School Theology pilot
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We are in the final six months of the two year pilot phase for this curriculum which has been co-ordinated by Anne van Gend of the Anglican Schools' Office. Feedback from those taking part in the pilot has been very useful in helping to adjust and shape the curriculum so that it works well for schools in our networks.
A recent addition to the curriculum is, what is currently being called, Theology-lite which offers shorter and fewer lessons for a number of units. This is for those teachers who have found the length and depth of material difficult to get through in the time they have available.
The Theology course allows for external assessment from the Theology Department at the University of Otago at Year 8 and 10. The assessment task, with certificates and badges awarded depending on the assessment grade achieved, will take place during Term Three.
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Kids Friendly 'Love Reaches Out' art and writing competition
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Entries for the annual art and writing competition for pre-school to Year 8 students, run by Kids Friendly in partnership with Presbyterian Support close on Friday 27th July. Cheryl from Kids Friendly advises that entries can also be submitted in person by those coming to the NZARETSC conference. Contact Cheryl directly cheryl@kidsfriendly.org.nz to let her know if you are planning to do this.
This year's theme is Caring for our World | Te tiaki i to tatou Tai Ao and information including an entry form can be found here.
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- Rev Roxy Gahegan has resigned from her role as Chaplain at St Cuthbert's College. We wish Roxy well in her next ministry venture.
- Juliette Hayes, Principal at Columba College, resigned at the end of April and will be pursuing her doctoral studies full-time. Jenness Riethmaier is the Acting Principal until the end of this year and we look forward to welcoming Jenness to the network at our conference in August.
- Roxy and Juliette were both members of the Resource Office Advisory Group and their support and input was much appreciated. We need two new members for the Advisory Group, which meets by teleconference once a term for 30-60 minutes each time. The Advisory Group, a small group of Principals and Chaplains from our schools, offers support and feedback to the Director of the Resource Office. Please let Sharon know churchschools@presbyterian.org.nz if you would like to put your name forward for this.
- The Presbyterian Schools' Resource Office is now based at the Anglican Diocese Office in Hamilton. The new postal address is: PO Box 21, Hamilton 3240. Phone: 07 857 0431. All other contact details remain the same.
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The New Zealand Association for Philosophy Teachers is holding its annual conference on 27-28 September in Wellington. The conference theme is Philosophy Education and Citizenship: Advancing the public intellectual good.
More information and conference registration can be found here.
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Presbyterian Church Schools’ Resource Office on Facebook
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Follow us on Facebook and ‘like us’. I post stories, events, news, photos and other information about what is happening in our Presbyterian church schools on a regular basis to encourage a sense of connection amongst our schools. You can view our Facebook page here.
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