OPERATIONAL PLAN 2009 – 2012
NZACS Operational Plan 2009 - 2012
Overview
Mission
“To further the interests of Christian schooling at all levels within New Zealand society.”
Vision
We exist as an association to:
1. Encourage, assist and advise those involved in the establishment and work of Christian schools.
2. Promote amongst all branches of the Christian community in New Zealand a clear understanding of the scriptural basis of the Christian educational task.
3. Pool information and share specialised skills and resources.
4. Make known the viewpoint of the Association with respect to issues of public concern of debate in education.
Guiding Principles
We believe:1. There is one God eternally existent in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit being the same in nature, equal in power and glory, and worthy of equal honour, obedience and worship.
2. This one God is Creator of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible, and sustains and rules over all His creation, including man, in perfect wisdom and power.
3. Man was created in the image of God and was given authority and responsibility to rule over Creation for the praise and delight of his Maker.
4. In the whole of his life man either serves God, or a substitute of his own imagination. Education therefore is never neutral, but unfolds in obedience or disobedience to the Lord.
5. Man, through unbelief and disobedience, has fallen into sin and brought God's wrath and curse upon himself and the rest of Creation. He is therefore separated from God and blinded to the goodness of God, and to the source, meaning and purpose of life.
6. Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, is the Mediator whom the Father sent to redeem and to reconcile the world to Himself, and the Lord to whom the Father has given all power and authority to give light and life to people lost in sin and death.
7. The substitutionary death and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ are the only ground of orgiveness of sin, of regeneration and of fellowship with God. God's purposes for our world will culminate with Christ's certain return.
8. The knowledge of God, of His Word and of Creation results from the work of the Holy Spirit in man's heart.
9. The education of children is the responsibility of parents under God who must ensure their training is in the nurture and admonition of God. Christian schools have the task of helping parents educate their children, and therefore employ Christian teachers who seek to shape their entire teaching practice on the basis of the Bible, call on children to exercise faith in Christ and seek to equip them with knowledge and skill that will enable them to honour and serve Him in all their work and endeavour.
Our Desire is:1. We affirm the sovereignty of God and the Lordship of Jesus Christ over all the universe. We recognise Him as the creator and sustainer of all things, and that all things exist for His glory. God alone gives meaning to everything. Knowing God is foundational to life and education, and His glory is the chief aim. In the whole of our lives we either serve God or a substitute of our own imagination. Therefore education is never neutral, but unfolds in obedience or disobedience to the Lord.
It is our desire that all Christians involved in education be increasingly diligent in distinguishing that which is based on Christ from that which is derived from human presuppositions.
2. We affirm the sufficiency of Scripture. It is authoritative in all matters and its principles are applicable to all issues. We believe there is no matter or issue which is merely ‘secular’. As we believe the content of curriculum should be Christ-centred rather than man or creation centred, the foundations of all curriculum should be the principles of the Word of God. Teachers should seek insight from Scripture as a foundation to all that is taught.
It is our desire that all Christian teachers commit time to review all their teaching practice in the light of biblical principles. Christian schools need to renew their commitment to pursue an increasingly biblical Christian approach to all of their curriculum, in the content and delivery of instruction, the structure of classes, administrative structures and policies, and their relationship to the community they serve.
3. We affirm that mankind was created by God, uniquely in His image, and is given dominion over Earth to populate and manage it, as responsible stewards, under God. The fulfilment of this task requires us to research the many ways each part of creation serves Him, discern the way we must personally serve Him, and develop the skills needed to fulfil this calling. This process we have come to associate with the concept of education.
It is our desire that Christians be trained to work from the basis of biblical truth, and thus be leaders in the research and technology which advances the wise management of this planet.
4. In our fallen state, marred by sin, we need to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit to become children of God and then mature in our new relationship with God. This includes the renewing of our minds. Thus, we believe the purpose of education is to lead children of God to maturity, and to equip them for serving God in His kingdom both in this age, and for eternity.
We sincerely desire that Christian educators align their practice to this goal of assisting students be strong in spirit and in godly character.
5. We believe that the education of children is essentially a parental right and responsibility. We do not believe that parents should necessarily be the sole agents of education, but that parents should be actively involved in choosing what their children should learn, and where, when and by whom they are instructed. Active administration of the education of their children should be an integral part of a parents way of life.
Our desire is that all Christian parents take up their responsibility to ensure their children are educated biblically, by personal instruction and, should they choose, by delegation to others who will teach them biblically.
6. We believe a day school is accountable to God to work in the service of parents, assisting them to fulfil their responsibility to educate their children, rather than be an instrument which absolves parents of their educational responsibility.
Our desire is that Christian schools devise strategies which recognise and give place to the family as the basic social structure in which a child lives and receives nurture and admonition.
7. We believe that tertiary or further education should involve the discipling of servants and leaders in the kingdom of God in the various vocations to which God has called them. Christians in all vocations should be actively involved in the training of others in their vocation within a thoroughly biblical framework.
We desire to see Christian tradespersons, professionals, and enterprise leaders seeking to mentor Christian disciples, and promoting the establishment of supporting Christian educational institutions such as tradeschools, business colleges, teachers’ colleges, law schools, medical and nursing schools, which teach from biblical foundations.
8. We believe the Church has a pivotal role in education. As the covenant community to which families belong, it can encourage and assist families to fulfil their responsibility to educate their children in the knowledge of the Lord. Its leadership can research and teach biblical principles underpinning the issues addressed in both general and vocational education. Such teaching would help remove the sacred/secular dichotomy prevalent in the thinking of many Christians. The church can impart to unbelievers and their families some understanding of biblical principles and can foster the launching of new Christian educational endeavours.
Our desire is to see all churches actively supporting the cause of Christian education.
9. We believe the Christian community in New Zealand must awaken to the need of and take seriously the biblical mandate to educate their children for service in God’s kingdom. Christian families, Churches and educational institutions must work together to foster biblical thinking and discernment in their children and young people. We want to see in our nation strong, biblical Christian leadership committed to bringing all areas of life under the control of Christ.
Unless Christians think biblically and are obedient to God’s Word, they become hidden in the culture around them, and as such are not ‘salt and light’. But if Christians are educated to think and act biblically in all of life, they can have a profound effect on society. The more Christians think the mind of Christ in all things:
• the more they may live out a Christ-like life style,
• the more they may display the rule of God in their public life,
• the more they may influence our institutions,
• the more they may attract others to the Lord,
• the more our society will experience in limited measure justice and peace, and
• the more God may be glorified eternally.
This statement is not a final creed but an expression of our developing understanding of the mind of God on these matters. The Scripture references presented as footnotes are not given as proof texts, but rather as representative of what the Bible says concerning these matters.
May we commit ourselves to pray fervently for one another, as we discern our personal responsibility to God in education.
NZACS Operational Plan 2009 - 2012
Operational Plan
“We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” Colossians 1:28
“From Him, the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:16
Objective 1 - To provide high quality support to member schools.
1.1 Facilitate and enhance mentoring schemes.
1.2 Ensure regional visits by secretary to the executive.
1.3 Provide frameworks for special character audits available to proprietors / boards.
1.4 Enhance contact with chairs and directors of Proprietors.
1.5 Address shortage of teachers trained in Christian education, especially in the south half of the country.
1.6 Facilitate assistance to schools with structural / management changes as schools grow and move into secondary.
1.7 Support for those integrated schools wishing to go for roll increases.
1.8 Facilitate access to administration and curriculum resources.
1.9 Provide means by which schools within the association can advertise positions and seek personnel.
1.10 Hold events which help Boards and Proprietors.
1.11 Provide links via the website to resources in areas such as; curriculum, leadership, finance and property, health and safety, educational law, MOE compliance, integration, strategic planning, ERO reviews and Performance Management.
Objective 2 - To encourage and facilitate the establishment of new Christian schools in New Zealand.
2.1 Promote the establishment of new Christian schools in areas that have no Christian schools at present.
2.2 Facilitate assistance and advice to steering groups looking at establishing new schools.
2.3 Seek to increase the availability of Christian schooling to Maori and Pacific Island communities.
2.4 Promote organisations that provide guidance in the understanding of Christian education.
2.5 Promote organisations that explain and assist the processes involved in establishment of new schools and integration.
Objective 3 - To provide teachers with professional development based on a Christian worldview.
3.1 Ensure that conferences and PD events utilise quality contributors and a wide range of professional and learning opportunities.
3.2 Promote Professional lending libraries specialising in Christian education and Christian worldview material related to education.
3.3 Promote inservice professional development courses provided by Christian Tertiary providers
Objective 4 To provide effective leadership development.
Objective 4 -
4.1 Ensure that leadership conferences utilise quality contributors and a wide range of professional and learning opportunities.
4.2 Promote leadership events and opportunities in the regions.
4.3 Offer integrated and independent schools in the association support or direct them to support in governance and management issues.
4.4 Offer support and guidance for new principals and senior leaders in member schools.
Objective 5 - Ensure the executive carries out all its duties in a responsible and accountable manner including undertaking an ongoing programme of self-review and planning.
5.1 Monitor and control expenditure in a prudent fashion in how it will meet its financial reporting and auditing responsibilities.
5.2 Consult widely with the membership on direction for the association.
5.3 Produce comprehensive strategic plans (3 – 5 years).
5.4 Produce annual plans that outline specific action plans.
5.5 Ensure the executive works effectively as a leadership team.
5.6 Encourage a wide representation at General Meetings of member schools in order to promote the welfare and mission of the Association.
5.7 Constantly evaluate and update the role of the Secretary/officer.
Objective 6 - To ensure all documentation and communications are of an excellent standard.
6.1 A comprehensive, professional Website that is regularly updated and enhanced.
6.2 Produce a regular newsletter to all member schools.
6.3 Utilise technologies effectively in order to facilitate efficient communication between members.
6.4 Publish promotional materials for distribution.
6.5 Undertake and support special publications e.g. A history of the Christian schools movement in New Zealand.
Objective 7 - To promote inter-school events for the benefit of students.
7.1 Support innovative programmes that promote unity and interaction e.g. PowerCom and Student Leaders conference
7.2 Promote and celebrate regional events involving students and special achievements of students from with member schools.
7.3 Promote and facil;itate student exchanges to international Christian schools.
Objective 8 - To promote mutual care of members for each others welfare.
8.1 Produce a prayer calendar for each term covering member schools and organisations and mission schools.
8.2 Hold national days of prayer– targeted and letting the local churches know what we are doing.
8.3 Communicate celebrations and anniversaries.
Objective 9 - To promote the Christian educational task amongst all branches of the Christian community.
9.1 Establish relationships with leaders within a wide variety of denominational bodies and streams
9.2 Encourage schools to honour local pastors/ministers.
9.3 Open our schools to Para-Church organisations and visiting groups.
9.4 Hold an annual Christian School’s week.
9.5 To consistently and persistently present the issues via Christian Media and Special national and regional events.
Objective 10 - Ensure strong networking with other educational facilitators and professional associations of similar nature.
10.1 Establishing and maintaining links with key people and groups nationally and globally.
10.2 Establish Memorandums of Agreement with key strategic groups.
10.3 Encourage teacher exchanges overseas and between schools.
10.4 Promote and celebrate sister school programmes.
10.5 Give direct assistance to Christian schools within the Asia / Pacific region.
10.6 Encourage sponsorships for overseas workers in Christian schools to Teacher training institutions in New Zealand.
….Objective 11 - Collect and distribute information that promotes critical thinking about the philosophy and working of Christian education
11.1 Produce bibliographies / recommended reading lists of print, non-print, and online materials.
11.2 Promote links at tertiary level between educational institutions and organisations in New Zealand and overseas.
11.3 Seek to invite experts in various capacities and fields to visit and contribute to conferences.
11.4 Promote and provide publications, research projects, conferences, profession and pastoral chat rooms and similar materials and means.
Objective 12 - Make known the viewpoint of the Association with respect to issues of public concern of debate in education.
12.1 Produce position papers on national issues deemed relevant to the interests of the Association and the church in line with our guiding principles.
12.2 Build up relationships with church, political and civic leaders in order to have a voice.
12.3 Carefully utilise the media to promote issues of import.
12.4 Make submissions to Parliamentary subcommittees and working groups on legislation that affect the association and our member schools.
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This Association 
