Christian Schools Calgary: AKCS Principal Points

Past Principal Points

Finishing Well & Prayer & Praise for the Summer

We are nearly there! It has been a very good year all around for AKCS with a wonderful sense of unity among the staff and students. Teachers, students, and parents have all worked hard to make this one of our best years ever. That doesn’t mean that we haven’t had our fair share of difficulties, most notably with the absence of Mrs. Matthews in grade three, but also with Miss Matiko’s broken leg, and now the death of Miss Burk’s mother. However, God has provided at every step of the way, and we are confident that our students in every grade are well prepared for next year.

Speaking of well prepared…. This weekend the Calgary Herald had a special section on the Fraser Institute’s evaluation of all the schools in the province. You will be pleased to know that Airdrie Koinonia was ranked 20^th in the province from 757 public, charter, and private schools based on achievement tests at the grade three and six level. I never like to make too much of one year’s showing, but the five year average is nearly as good at 27^th.

One interesting detail they provide is the education level of parents in the school. There is a clear correlation between the number of years of education of parents and the achievement of students. However, at AKCS the average (14.1 years) is actually lower than most of the schools in the top 60. This means our students are doing better than expected, and our scores cannot simply be attributed to “higher socio-economic status.” I think the good results are due to great teachers, wonderful kids, supportive parents, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

While a number of the top performing schools are private schools, many of these are “elite schools” with admissions tests for their students and very high tuition rates. A search for specifically Christian schools reveals that AKCS is the 3^rd highest ranked Christian school in the province, and well above the other Christian schools in the province. We thank the Lord for His blessings on our school. Let us continue to “Fix our eyes on Jesus” and “press forward to obtain the prize.”

Right now, we are in the midst of winding down our various courses. Teachers will be finishing units at different times and having culminating activities. In the upper grades students need to prepare for final exams. Even though the weather beckons all of us outside, we need to be diligent to “finish well.” The work that we do in the next few days will have a direct bearing on how well students are prepared for their finals and for next year. While there is obviously less new material introduced in June, the time and effort put into reviewing the year’s work is exceptionally important. I have asked teachers to ensure that they continue to make good use of every opportunity to teach, right up until the very last day. Please help by ensuring that your children continue to get to bed at their regular time and that they maintain their focus to the end. “It ain’t over till it’s over!”J

One of the final year-end events is our Awards Night at Bert Church Theatre, Thursday, June 20. This is an exciting time as we honor some of our exceptional students. Every year some students are not there to receive their reward simply because they didn’t think that they had earned one. (I myself listened one year to a description of a student about to receive a reward and was surprised to find out it was my own son!) Often there are pleasant surprises like this, but I would like us to take a different view of this night. Rather than coming because we think our child may receive an award, let us come together to honor those who do and celebrate with them as a school family. This is an evening to “rejoice with those who rejoice” and show “honour to whom honour is due.” If we approach it this way, it is one more opportunity to develop Christian character in our children, and that is the most important achievement of all.

Teaching in a Christian school puts one in the forefront of the battle for the hearts and minds of the next generation of young people. A Christian school, more than most institutions, is focused on making disciples. We are daily fulfilling the Great Commission within the walls and on the playgrounds of our school. It is exciting to watch the growth in our children as they learn to live and work together day in and day out. On the other hand, from time to time, I am reminded of the spiritual warfare which rages about every ministry which is actively pushing forward the boundaries of the Kingdom of God. This year has been very successful overall, but the work of preparing for next year is now in full swing. Much to pray about, but much to praise God about.

Please keep the school in your mind and heart over the summer.

Admissions—Pray for wisdom for the Admissions Committee as they interview new families. We need to ensure that every family will be supportive of the school's values, and that we enroll only children with whom we can be successful, and then into the right grade level.
Administrative Structure—With the growth of the school, it has become increasingly difficult to administer. It is time to add additional administrative time to the Elementary School. Mr. Hoffmann will take on the role of Elementary Program Coordinator, and Miss Hamm will become the Curriculum Coordinator and supervisor for the Teacher-Aides. We also need additional personnel to help with development and a capital campaign. Determining the right mix we need, and finding the right people to fill diverse needs is not easy.
Connie Matthews—Continue to pray for Connie as she undergoes the final round of treatments in the coming weeks. We praise God that the doctors have assured us that she will be able to resume her teaching duties in the fall.
Hiring of New Teachers—Praise God for bringing in the teachers we needed. We have hired a half-time grade six teacher (Miss Caro Smith) to enable Mr. Hoffmann to give time to administration and do some teaching in the senior high. We have also added a part-time French teacher (Mrs. Carol Holmes) to teach at the secondary level as Mrs. Ricks cuts back on her teaching load somewhat. With these changes, we will be able to cover our need for math & science at the secondary level without further hiring.
Land—We still do not have a deal, signed sealed and delivered. The arbitration process is supposed to be completed in July. Pray that God will enable us to bring this purchase to a satisfactory conclusion.
Space—We are running out of space. We will either need to add another classroom or hire yet more staff for the secondary school to teach classes that could be combined with other grades if space permitted.
Enrolments--We will have a record enrolment in the fall between 250 and 260. We praise God for the growing interest in our school, and also that as some families have moved away, we have been able to accommodate so many more who had been on the waiting list.

Brian Hazeltine, B.Ed., M.A.
Principal, Airdrie Koinonia Christian School