The Functions of the NZ Association for Christian Schools

The NZACS is an association to foster the establishment and the well being of Christian schools in NZ.

The membership consists of

• Christian schools including Christian teacher training establishments
• Organisations which serve Christian education
• Individuals who are involved in Christian schools

There are currently about 60 full member schools and about another 25 with whom the association has occasional contact.

Each member of the association pays annual subscription fees. These fees enable the association to achieve the maintenance of a network for the mutual encouragement of Christian schools.

This is achieved by:

• The members of the Executive and the paid Secretary familiarising themselves with the member schools and organisations so that they can refer requests for help to an appropriate member of the association.
• Producing a directory of the membership to facilitate contact and communication between the membership. This is also found on the association’s website.
• Regular circulars to principals and/or all staff members which
  • inform of the events of the association,
  • provide a prayer diary for mutual prayer support in the association,
  • contain some articles of interest and help,
  • contain notices of situations vacant,
  • copies of the Christian Teachers Journal and of Nurture from Australia to full member schools.
  • inform the membership of political events which impact Christian schools.
• Conducting regular conferences which provide an opportunity for
  • fellowship between staff and board members and other workers,
  • the presentation of papers and workshops to mutually help one another, and
  • keynote speakers to help understand and fulfil the task of Christian schooling.

Although the conference fees provide most of the funds for the conferences, they would not occur without the administrative support and networking of the association.

• Appointing and supporting regional coordinators to facilitate activities for mutual encouragement and support more locally. These include such activities as combined sports and social events, NCEA moderation, combined science intensives for senior students, combined professional development times, principals’ meetings and board member seminars as requested.
• Providing advice and contacts to groups seeking to establish Christian schools.
• Providing advice and services such as mediation as requested by member schools experiencing difficulties.
• Assisting Christian teacher education institutes to contact teachers in Christian schools and provide inservice courses as professional development and upgrading of qualifications. We also help graduates find positions in Christian schools.
• Supporting research into Christian schooling in NZ.
• Making from time to time submissions to governmental committees or commissions, lobbying or meeting government personnel as required to promote decisions which help the members of the association.
• The association’s website is www.christianschools.org.nz
  It provides:
  • easy access to details about Christian schools and support organisations,
  • links to support organisations and international Christian school organisations
  • information about events in the Christian schools calendar,
  • information about situations vacant and teaching jobs sought,
  • lists of suitable resource people for principal appraisals and special character audits
  • lists of reading materials about Christian education
  • sample resources such as curriculum documents, trust deeds, various administration documents such as health and safety documents, appraisal procedures etc., accessed by password by full members of the association

The Christian school movement in NZ is currently experiencing significant growth. A contributing factor to this growth is the services provided by this association. These services are in increasing demand.

Download the Functions of the NZ Association for Christian Schools Paper in MS Word format