PACER
PACIFIC CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
PRESS
christ-like living, critical thinking and joyful service
February 2016
God at work O
ne of our local pastors recently shared that, each evening, he spends time with his elementary-aged children and asks the question: “Where did you see God at work today?” He explained that he is teaching his children that wherever they see goodness, truth, beauty, and self-giving love, they see God. As we take time to consider how God has been at work in the PCS community this school year, we tend to be drawn to successful events – many of which will be rightfully celebrated in this newsletter. We do give thanks for mission trips, successful fundraising efforts, and the varied accomplishments of individuals and teams, but our understanding of where God is at work requires us to look more deeply than at apparent successes or failures to see moments when individuals – or the community – grew in love and compassion. This is the quiet work of God in our hearts, making us more like Jesus. continued on page 2
Pacific Christian School “...nurturing students in Christ-like living, critical thinking, and joyful service to become faithful citizens in God’s world.”
ELEMENTARY CAMPUS 671 Agnes St. Victoria, BC V8Z 2E7 elementary@pacificchristian.ca SECONDARY CAMPUS 654 Agnes St. Victoria, BC V8Z 2E6 secondary@pacificchristian.ca Phone 250-479-4532 www.pacificchristian.ca
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At the secondary school, our theme this year is the fruit of the spirit, as described by Paul in his letter to the Galatian Christians. In Galatia, there were people who were preaching that Gentiles needed to conform to Jewish law first in order to become Christians. Paul’s letter denounces any requirement other than living in the grace of Christ (1:6). He describes what God’s spirit at work in people looks like – it is not judged based on the keeping of certain rules or traditions, but rather on the basis of the fruit that God’s spirit produces in a person’s life: love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (5:22). So where have we seen God at work this year? • In junior high students who have gone out of their way to offer genuine friendship and inclusion to their international classmates. • In individual members of our grad class who have responded with sensitivity to anxious classmates to help them feel at peace and included in all grad activities. • In players on school teams who have transitioned from being concerned about their own playing time and success, to joyfully celebrating their teammates’ efforts and achievements. • In Senior PE students who have gently welcomed and included students with special needs into their games. • In students who faithfully take the initiative to help organize food drives and care packages for those who are marginalized within the Greater Victoria community. • In World Religions students whose kind, thoughtful, and respectful engagement with people from different religious faiths have caused people in these communities to remark: “These students know God in such a beautiful way.” In these, and a myriad of other ways that are so easy to overlook, we see the evidence of God working in our community – and we give thanks for his grace and faithfulness! Sue McKerracher: PE / Christian Studies Lorna Herzog: Secondary Assistant Principal
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Equipping Future Generations Capital Campaign
n December, our community was challenged and encouraged by a fellow PCS family as they offered up a matching gift opportunity for the capital campaign. I am delighted to report that our community responded and as a result, just over $111,000 was raised in December.
As a board member, it is encouraging to see the PCS community rallying with prayers and finances to support a project that has been in the planning stages at the board level for several years. Thank you! As a campaign supporter, it is exciting to see a wide range of partners join in to help make the plans a reality. I’m looking forward to seeing how our collective support will allow us to continue equipping students. Thank you! As a PCS parent, it is thrilling to think about how my children will be blessed over their time at the school. The staff are clearly called into a ministry of education; the upgrades to the school will support them as they fulfil their calling. I know that the values that are encouraged at PCS, coupled with the skills and knowledge that my kids are learning, will set them up for a lifetime of “faithful citizenship.” My prayer is that we will all continue in prayer and support as we look forward to what God has in store for the future. Thank you for your role at PCS. Blessings as we journey together. Heidi Young-Thompson: Board chair, PCS alumni and parent.
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Be Still and Know
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s an elementary staff, we spend considerable time discussing what our school’s theme will be every year. Staff members reflect on various possibilities throughout the summer months and when we regroup at the end of August to make a final decision, we talk through each idea and identify the ways that we can make each theme come alive for our students. For 2015-16, we selected Psalm 46:10 – Be still and know that I am God. What a beautiful verse to focus on for an entire year. Be still! In our North American culture, this idea does not compute. We are so often busy rushing from one activity to another and if we have some downtime, we quickly pick up our personal devices and explore social media sites, play games or connect with others through email or text messaging. I know I have to be very intentional about ‘being still’ or it just doesn’t happen, and I would venture a guess that most of you reading this paragraph would nod in agreement. So, how do we teach our students to ‘be still?’ How do we encourage students to truly know who God is? How do we mentor students to be still long enough to know the heart of God, as well as acquire knowledge about Him? In a busy academic setting, this can be a challenge. Students have a lot to accomplish in a school day and quiet personal reflection in a group of twenty-five is not easy. However, staff members are making a concerted effort to help students connect with God through stillness. In one class, students are asked to sit still and reflect for a few minutes before morning prayer each day. In another class, students are encouraged to really listen to what God is saying to them through music. After a brainstorming session, a third class created a bulletin board display to help remind them how they can slow down within the day and focus on God. Another class paused to look and listen to the world around them while out on a field trip. They were able to acknowledge all that God has done and catch a glimpse of His majesty, as well as His power to create order and beauty. Of course, this is just a snippet of what is happening throughout the school on a daily basis. In every subject, students are being asked to focus on God’s work in that field of study or aspect of life. We want our students to ‘know that He is God’ and understand that all of life is under His direction and control. As one teacher recently stated, “We re-read our theme verse again and again as we discuss current events and the terrorism that is igniting fear in the world. The world is still in His hands.” Each one of us is called to live out that understanding each and every day. Blessings, Karen Erler: Elementary Assistant Principal
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We Came Away Changed
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ach year, PCS students in grade 12 have the opportunity to put faith into action in a very unique and meaningful way-they get to partner with God in forwarding His kingdom!
Yes, they have many opportunities throughout their school years to do this, but this opportunity is unique in that they get to bring, be and share the great news of Jesus Christ while serving joyfully! For over 15 years, students from PCS have been part of building homes for the people of Las Aves and Vicente Guerrero, Mexico. Each home brought joy and hope to families who could never afford to build a house, and, for many of our students, it was a life-changing experience. This past November, PCS students and staff had the privilege of travelling to Las Aves again, but this time we did something a little different. Instead of building houses for families, we were asked to build a church for the community – a place of worship and prayer where families could come together to celebrate, fellowship, sing and praise God from whom all their many blessings flow! It’s called Ministerio Dios De Gloria, which means God of Glory Ministry! Isn’t that what we hope for our children and ourselves--that our efforts, however small or large, will result in people glorifying God? It was a very different build this year. Typically, we work in three groups building three homes for three families. This year we worked alongside the community--literally! It was a wonderful example of how the love of God and the fellowship of Christ-followers transcends the barrier of culture and language as we serve joyfully together. We all came away changed! “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus!” Phil. 1:4-6 David O’Dell, Secondary Principal / Co-Superintendent
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Artist Statement
Pacer Press The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil Shaelyn
The assignment was to represent a tree of good and evil, like the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in Genesis. The top portion of my tree is a representation of good. The birds nest is a symbol of new life and hope in this world. The bottom half, or the roots of the tree, represent evil. Farther down into the roots and the dirt and the hands have lost all flesh, symbolizing death and the lack of humanity in evil acts. The contrast between the top and the bottom of the tree expresses how opposite good and evil are. They possess the power to completely change someone for better or for worse. The evil in the roots signifies that sometimes something might look perfectly fine, but if you dig a little deeper there is evil at the bottom. We must “turn away from evil and do good” (Psalm 34:14 NLT). “The LORD God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground – trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” Genesis 2:9 NLT
Life After Marjorie
Nature at Peace Justin
Unity Anna
Summer Alex
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Celebrate Art Grade 2B’s Leaf Art The following poem, written by Kathleen Higham, was used when the students talked about how God’s creation reminds us of Him.
The seasons change, come and go, But this is what I truly know When autumn leaves begin to fall I think of Him most of all.
Remembrance Day Poetry After learning about Canada’s war history in preparation for the Remembrance Day chapel that we led, students in 7C responded through poetry. Using their senses, they were asked to write a descriptive poem in any form. Since we cannot remember many of these war experiences, students were encouraged to try imagine how it would be to have to sacrifice so much through war in the past and today.
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On the Water Secondary School Sports Highlights: The PCS rowing program continued to “set the pace” of excellence as they were five-time CITY CHAMPIONS this year for all schools, regardless of size. They were recognized at an allschool pep rally that featured Olympian Silken Laumann as the guest speaker who challenged the student body to “use their imaginations in setting goals.” She presented the trophies to the team members and highlighted Coach VanBruggen’s rowing scull named after him for his deep contribution to rowing.
Sr. Boys’ Volleyball produced magical teamwork under the coaching of alumni Michael Welle and Jordan Campbell, along with twenty-five-year coach Mr. Ryan, in the AA final tournament, winning the Island Championships in a dramatic five-set win over Lambrick Park and placing 9th at Provincials.
Playing with heart and passion, the Sr. Girls’ Basketball team has won three tournaments and placed second in the Victoria Police Tournament. The team is 16-1 at press time.
Thank you for the support given by our coaching staff, school, and parent community! As the Athletic Director, I am proud that we can define success because we have high-calibre, caring coaches--sometimes three or four per team--who develop our student athletes’ skill and character through quality, Christ-centered mentorship.
John Stewart, Secondary School Athletic Director
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and the Court Middle School Sports Basketball PCS Middle School Basketball has now finished for the year as the playoffs wrapped up the last week of school before the Christmas break. Congratulations to both the Grade 6 and 7 teams who collectively finished the season very strong.
Volleyball As one season of play finishes, another begins. Volleyball is now in full swing with practices underway and games to start next week. Boys and girls in both grades 6 and 7 can look forward to another fun filled season. Volleyball is always a well-represented sport at PCS, where our teams are often found contending for the City Championships in March.
Blessings, Adam Price: PCS Middle School Athletics
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The Joy of Miracle on Main Street December 15th marked the musical début of “Miracle on Main St.” performed by our very own K-6 students. Today more and more communities are struggling with the word “Christmas.” Christ is continuing to be dropped in favour of “holiday” celebrations. This enlightening children’s musical reached directly at the heart of this matter, and from the voices of our students came the ultimate truth -- a Christmas without Jesus is like giving a present with no gift inside. It really was a joy seeing the students working so hard preparing for this musical!! We look forward to continually sharing the message of Christ through music! Kim Taal, Elementary Music Teacher
We also enjoyed a wonderful Kindergarten Christmas pageant in December. For a little ‘how-to’ video of the event please head to www.Vimeo.com/YourPCS/pageant
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Christmas The Other Group The Other Group from our PCS Music Department helped to share the joy of the Christmas season by making twenty-four appearances during December. The ensemble enjoyed singing for congregations at Saanich Baptist and The Victoria Christian Reformed Church, adding to the festive atmosphere at The Mustard Seed Community Christmas Dinner at The Armory, celebrating with the Seniors at Shannon Oaks and Berwick House Royal Oak, entertaining theatre goers with pre-show concerts at The Belfry and The McPherson Playhouse as well as performing full concerts in the Rotunda at The Parliament Buildings and at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Visits to St. Michael’s University School, The Canadian College of Performing Arts, Long and McQuade Music, The Victoria Public Market, Lansdowne Middle School, High Tea at The Empress Hotel and PCS Christmas Concerts rounded out the performance schedule. Watch a sample of our perfomance here: www.Vimeo.com/YourPCS/OtherGroup The Other Group performs with a goal of allowing God to use their musical gifts to not only entertain but to minister to our audiences. We feel blessed to be able to share in song and look forward to preparing for our spring performance season! Matthew Howe, Secondary Instructor: Music/Drama
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Looking Forward
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he Mercedes F 015 drives itself and Google has designed a car with no steering wheel! The 256 bit computer that I owned in the late 80s has been replaced with my smart phone which is a thousand times more powerful (not to mention more comfortable in my pocket). Bottom line, the world is a-changin’. It still spins once a day and travels around the sun once a year (a little slower this leap year) but the changes that are happening on our globe are accelerating at mind-boggling speeds.
Think of PCS fifty-five years ago and PCS fifty-five years from now. I won’t be around to see PCS in 2071 (unless they figure out a way to keep me alive at 115) but there is every chance that the majority of our current students will be picking up their grandkids who are being taught by people not yet born! Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place. Proverbs 16:3 (MSG)
It’s difficult to predict what education in the coming years will look like, but we do know that over the next two years, schools will be asked to move toward emphasizing personalized and inquiry-based learning. We’re also certain that technology will continue to influence the way education is delivered. Change is the norm in education and in the broader society. Our school will continue to adapt.
Although I believe that change is healthy, I firmly hope that some things don’t change. I hope my descendants will still rally around our current mission statement; that PCS will hold firm to its mandate of nurturing critical thinkers, Christ-like livers (you know what I mean) and faithful servers; that we will continue to be Christian not just as our middle name. We may not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future, and the Holder of our future allows us to make choices about the directions in which we head. May we, and those who follow us, choose well. John Slofstra: Secondary Assistant Principal / International Coordinator We wonder what Mr. Welle is telling this group of Secondary School Teachers. What do you think? Email your ideas to development@pacificchristian.ca to be entered into a draw for one of those great PCS mugs!