ED50200 Course

Last week was intense for me. For 2009 I have undertaken to teach an Avondale MA course entitled Value Issues and Moral Development in Education. Suddenly it was July 6-9 Winter School and time to deliver 16 hours of teaching to 18 discerning learners in just 4 days. This diverse group of learners included Australian housewives, Pacific Island administrators and teachers, and Australian and New Zealand teachers, all wanting to know more about teaching values. The experience was fun but at times rather scary.

This course, really an exploration of how to teach faith, is my passion. Last week our group went on a journey through what is entailed in learning and teaching faith, ideas, worldviews, values, morality, spirituality, social and emotional learning and character. I admire housewives who can simultaneously raise a family, home school their children and pursue knowledge with a passion. And I also respect Pacific island students with heavy workload demands working in a second language in a strange culture.

The week was most enriching for me. My class searched for clarity, sharpened my own concepts and challenged me in unexpected ways. In just 4 days the group bonded as each shared his or her own journey. As I now turn to mark assignments I feel the need to keep talking to the class to clarify things that were hazy, to keep myself learning, and to encourage this new “community of faith”.

I have always thought that although we do well as a system, we are not well enough informed collectively on how to specifically teach faith and values in subtle and sophisticated ways. More than ever I feel a need to produce practical ideas for teaching values and faith for our teachers. For me this is the moment to consult with my class and other classroom teachers in a bid to start the book I have been dreaming about. And it is time that we talked more about how to engage more effectively with our great calling.

Barry Hill
Director of Education
South Pacific Division


News about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific.

A Great Little Display

I thought I would milk the PNG Education Directors trip to Brisbane SDA Schools just one more week, if you don’t mind. Towards the end of the trip I saw a great little display that for me stood out in its simplicity. The room was a prep room and it was a piece of art work as you can see below.

It was with dye and painted pasta bits. I like it for a number of reasons. First it stood out, as should all of our displays in the classroom. Secondly, it was children’s work that was displayed. I get a little sad when I see great displays that consist of a poster, or some other work obviously done by a teacher but nothing of the students’ work up on the walls. They do enjoy seeing their work displayed. It helps them take ownership of their classroom and develops pride in doing their work. Thirdly, and I believe the most important, is that it promotes the special character message of the unit. I wish that every unit of learning that is done in our classrooms would have a special character message. To quote the great Graham Baird of Northpine Christian College fame “Special Character is the total environment of the school.” In other words it needs to be present and seen in every aspect of our school’s operations.

To give an example, we saw a very nice display of students’ self portraits strung across a classroom. The display was quite impressive in its own right. But what would have made it more so would have been a special character statement along the lines of “God has made each of us special” or unique or whatever. Now this begs the question as to whether this idea was even touched on in the lesson or unit. I would hope that it was, otherwise what difference has the lesson been than one that could have been taken down the road in a good State school.

Now I know that some will be tempted to say “But the difference is this teacher is a committed Adventist and I’ll guarantee that they had personal devotions this morning as they do every morning.” And yes that is part of special character, a very important part. But my argument is that we should be promoting our special character at every opportunity we can get and put it out there so that the message of God’s love and grace and who He is, is never missed in anything that is undertaken in our schools.

I know it takes time to develop such a culture. But it is worth striving for and creating in each of our schools. Now to be fair, this picture I’ve put up is not the only example we saw of special character being embedded in the instruction and displays in a classroom. There were many excellent examples in each school that we visited.So here is the challenge for you as Principals and to the others who get to read this blog. Take a visit to your classrooms – do a 4 minute walk through if you like! – and take time to focus on the displays. Ask yourself if each of them has some special character statement? If they don’t, then try to work out what a suitable one could be. That won’t be as easy as you think it will be, trust me. Now if it isn’t there, the next question to ask and seek information on, is whether it was ever taught as part of the unit or lesson? And if it wasn’t, could it have been, should it have been, considering we are an Adventist school?
These aren’t easy questions or answers to seek I know. But I can assure you that a huge impact is made on student lives as well as the community when each classroom consistently presents high quality displays that promote the special character of our system.

For those of you who are approaching holidays, I do hope you get to take some time out for rest and relaxation and family time as well. For those still looking forward to the holidays, don’t despair, they will arrive.

God bless you each as you continue to work with your learning communities.

Ken Weslake

Associate Director, Education,

SPD

News about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific.

Ragiampun School June 16

Last Wednesday afternoon the education directors of PNGUM (Joe Ponduk and Jim Yawane) and Morobe Mission (Lamech Sokoripa) took me to see two contrasting primary schools in Morobe Mission whose office is in Lae. One school, Ragiampun, was needy and poorly resourced while the other, Gabensis was comparatively well resourced. It was a fast ride in the mission van because the poor school, Ragiampun Adventist School was 150 kilometres from Lae.

First the students gave us flowers. For me it was a bamboo vase of magnolias thrust into my hands by a nervous girl. Then the school choir of all 200 Grade 1-5 students welcomed us in a well rehearsed a cappella number that summarised the occasion. Following the item the students sat patiently on the ground watching the mysterious party of dignitaries for the duration of the visit. After the speeches we posed for photos with staff, and inspected the classrooms. As you can see the rooms were bare, showing scarcely any books. Students sat on thin wooden slats attached to ancient desks, if they were lucky. Class 2 sat on the floor. There were at least chalk and boards, chalk covered with neat writing of maths tables, spelling and other matters.

I was moved by the support of school board members and parents who gathered, smiled continually and occasionally drew close to chat with us. One mother photographed the occasion, while a teacher sidled up and whispered “we really need readers”. They sure did. Then there was the table spread with their refreshments consisting of water melon, pineapple, raw peanuts, mandarins and coconut drinks. As we chatted and ate I had a feeling that beyond the ceremony we were all here cast together in a precious moment in time. Students, teachers, parents and board members had all gathered around the visitors in close community, in desperate need, and in high hope. It felt as if they were saying “we have done our best and now we are here together to honour you, and we are hoping you can do something for us”.

As students, teachers, parents and friends watched me intently I felt God watching through their eyes for I was here as the shepherd. Here I stood with 42 years of experience, with some resources, with the good will of hundreds of able teachers in the home unions behind me, and with an aching heart. If God had spoken aloud I am sure He would have said “Barry I brought you here for a purpose. Can you see it?”

Barry HillDirector of Education SPD

News about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific.

A Most Enjoyable Week.

One of the aspects of my work that I really love is the opportunity to take groups on tours, showcasing our Seventh-day Adventist Schools. I have done this on a number of occasions through New Zealand with a special character emphasis. Last week I had the privilege of hosting a week’s tour for 12 Education Directors from Papua New Guinea Union Mission and the Head of Teacher Training from Sonoma Adventist College, through South Queensland Conference, visiting 5 of their schools and dropping into NSW briefly to visit Tweed Valley College.

The contrasts between visitors and schools couldn’t have been greater. At one school one of the Directors said “I feel like I am in heaven when I visit this school.” Another followed by saying “I am just trying to see behind the high quality facilities and get a feel for the principles and soul that drives this school.”

Some of these men are responsible for looking after up to 20 schools in their missions with up to 4,000 students and that does not include the Elementary level which is equivalent to our Prep to Grade 2s. One Director shared that he had a sole charge school in his mission with 200 students! You are probably asking the same question that I did. “Why don’t they cap the roll?” And the answer always comes back, “Then who else will show them Jesus’ love?” In another school, the roll has climbed from 400 to 600 in just this year. No extra classrooms or teachers to handle the increase in that school and when I visited them last year they were already jammed in on inadequate furniture. And still in another school of 800+ primary students ie Grade 3 – 8, some have only just started meeting in a classroom this year. Up until now they have been seated under mango trees, or for the lucky ones under a ‘sort of’ marquee. So it was no wonder that they clicked their tongues and wagged their heads to see a class with 5 students running with 1 teacher – granted it was a special class that ran for 1 period each day, but a luxury nevertheless for these men.

So what did they see of special character? A pleasing amount I must say. From attractive entrance ways and foyers displaying open Bibles, Signs magazines and Steps to Christ for visitors to take away with them to classrooms with bright displays with a special character emphasis. They listened intently as Principals articulated their view of special character. Ideas that came out of that were “It has to be in the heart of each teacher or it doesn’t happen.” “It is the total environment of the school.” “It’s about leading each student to Christ.” It was gratifying to see and hear.

The men were especially impressed by the well developed chaplaincy programs that many schools were running. The range of activities that chaplains were engaged in to reach the students was very impressive. And while many were student focussed, we discovered a number who were staff focussed as well and one who emphasised being parent and family focussed with a couple of Bible studies operating.

One school was very focussed in their approach to special character. We all picked it up in the morning assembly but didn’t appreciate where it all fitted. We noticed that children receiving an award were encouraged to look the teacher in the eye when receiving the award. We discovered later that the whole school is focussed on a range of behaviours that exemplify special character in the life. The impact it was having on the student body was readily visible.

It was wonderful to hear of the lives of students being changed by the impact of a teacher’s life. They had never seen or heard of Weeks of Prayers being conducted for primary kids. That’s something that they will try and introduce back in PNG. The whole concept of chaplains is another idea they are keen to introduce. They’ll even resort to volunteers if the missions can’t find the budget to support their cause. And I suspect that that is just what will happen for many of them. The impact of well designed and attractive school signs was not lost on them either. Neither was the lack of the Seventh-day Adventist name in many of the schools. But after some discussion they could see the reasons for the lack. PNG is a different country to Australia when it comes to the standing of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the community you understand.

On the weekend we spent Sabbath afternoon visiting Mrs Melva McClintock at Victoria Point Retirement Village. A couple of the Directors had been closely associated with her and her late husband Wilfred at Sonoma College. What a beautiful reunion that was. And what stories. It is so true that often the biggest ratbags in the class rise to leadership positions in a community and in this group it was no different. Melva finished the visit by playing ‘Rock of Ages’ for us. I found it very moving, and thankfully mine weren’t the only eyes with tears when she had finished. On the way back a number of men in my Tarago said “I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for Mr and Mrs McClintock’s love and concern for me while at Sonoma.” The transforming power of a Christ committed life. It can’t be beaten.

I received an e-mail from Jim Yawane today thanking me again for a wonderful trip. He said that he and his Director at the Union were still talking about all that they had seen and had presented a full report to Presidents Council and they were delighted to hear of the trip. Just wait until they hear of the recommendations that these men have worded for them!

To the schools in South Queensland and Tweed Valley College, along with Tony and Royce, thank you again for such a great week of visiting. I can highly recommend it. As principals can I seriously encourage you to take time off and go visit your colleagues and ask them to brag about special character in their school. You will find it will give you ideas that will help each of you to develop this vital aspect in your school.

There is so much more to write about but this blog is long enough now and I know for the Aussie schools you have Queen’s birthday weekend waiting. Enjoy the weekend and the Sabbath.
God bless and thanks again for all the hard work you put into your school on a daily basis.

Ken Weslake, Associate Director Education, SPD

News about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific.

Out and About

This week I cannot help recording a few impressions of my last 12 days of my “work”. On May 17-18 I was fortunate to attend the first principals’ conference jointly planned and hosted by AUC and NZPUC. The event was entitled Hidden Springs. Tapping into God’s Reserves. It was well named. Over 110 administrators attended, and all accounts indicate that like me they really enjoyed the conference.

Key presenters included Ben Maxson (Spiritual Formation), Bailey Gillespie (Research in Adventist Schools), Colin Prentice (Leadership), and Lisa McInnes-Smith (Personal Motivation). All were very good. I also heard a “Strand Address” by Lanelle Cobbin and Nina Atcheson on the new Bible curriculum, and workshops by Rosalie McFarlane (Four Minute Walk Through) and Colin prentice (Teachers as Transformers). None of these sessions brought me any disappointment whatever.

There was a buzz about this conference. Not only was it refreshing spiritually and professionally, but it was fun meeting old friends again. The committee had worked well, so the overall planning was immaculate. Congratulations to AUC leadership, to all involved, and to Daryl Murdoch in particular.

From Surfers paradise I jetted off to Honiara to attend the annual TPUM Board of Education, and to help conduct education director meetings and visit schools. Unfortunately Tengon Taabuke the Education Director and President from Kiribati was boomeranged to Fiji because the Solomon Islands government is very strict about admitting travellers from Kiribati. However the 4 other visiting mission education directors survived the entry ordeal and were joined for the week by the 3 Solomon Island directors, Joseph Pitikia Principal of Fulton College, Alfred Liligeto a lecturer from USP, and Tony Hay the TPUM Education Director.

The Pacific culture can easily give visitors an inflated sense of their own importance. These meetings were marked by a grand welcome and farewell ceremony, and we also enjoyed addresses by two prominent education officials, Mylun Kuve an Adventist lady who is Permanent Secretary for Education, and Mr Aseri Suka, Director of Secondary Schooling for the Solomon Islands.

The 5 school visits brought us face to face with the needs of desperate schools. All are very poorly equipped. Our visits also impressed on us that while some teachers are very slack, most are very committed. Overall the hospitality and generosity of our school staff moved my heart. Any help we give these schools makes a real difference

Barry Hill

Director of Education SPD

News about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific.

Someone is Always Watching

Some of you will know that we have sold our house in Bonnells Bay and are in the process of downsizing, preparing for retirement is the plan. Don’t worry, it is still a few years off yet. In the process of settling the sale we had to get a building inspection and pest inspection as well. As it happened the two companies turned up at the same time and had worked with each other on many previous jobs. Both men who turned up were down-to-earth-good-Aussie-bloke types.
At some stage I must have said something to them about my work and being an Adventist, but I really don’t recall that we spent much time on that.

I subsequently hired them both to do a pre-purchase inspection on a property that we had placed an offer on. This was mainly because a decking had been added at the back of the house and it didn’t feel too safe to walk on. Turns out I was right.

In the course of finalising our accounts I thanked them both for their professional approach to the job and that it was a pleasure to deal with them, which it was and thought nothing more of it.
Imagine my surprise a couple of days later to receive a note from the building inspector thanking me for my prompt payment and to find the receipt attached and then this, “Having observed your position in the SDA education area I am interested in having my children attend one of your schools so therefore would like to know the fee scale.” The first four words took me by surprise. In fact I find them a bit frightening. Yes I ask each morning that God will guide my life and that it might reflect Him in some way, but I must confess that I often forget about it during the normal activities of the everyday.

Whether we are mindful of it or not, someone is always watching, forming opinions of who we are based mainly on our behaviour and interactions with them. I remember a number of years ago now, driving to school in a somewhat agitated state as I was running late and had to meet a guest speaker for our school assembly. The traffic was not obliging and I was somewhat harried. In the midst of it all someone else who was equally as harried cut me off by inches. Now it being before road rage was invented I remarked to my wife and kids that “he doesn’t realise how close he came to getting an airhornful and a special wave especially reserved for his type.” I was fuming. He got away from me and continued to drive like Jehu. Imagine my shock to find him getting out of his car as I drove into the school drive way. He was the guest speaker for assembly. I had one of those “I came so close to being undone!” moments. I chuckle even now as I try and figure out how I would have gotten out of that situation with any sense of respect intact.

I know that each of you is aware of the continual scrutiny that our schools are under. Sometimes our uniforms become a liability when certain students behave in certain ways when wearing them and of course the reverse is true. The best and cheapest form of advertising is done by your students and staff, when others see the quality in them that they want for their child. Take time to encourage them to be proud of your school, and to make the school a place to be proud of. Because you can be sure someone is always watching.

And to paraphrase Jesus “Let the light of your school and all who are in it, shine before everyone so that they may see all the good things that you do, and then glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Enjoy the rest of your week and God bless.

Ken Weslake,
Associate Director, Education
South Pacific Division, SDA Church

News about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific.

Out and About

Last week I got out of the office for three days and visited four NNSW schools with Ralph Luchow, Conference Education Director. On Wednesday morning we shared morning worship and children’s stories with the Taree school, then we drove on to eat an appetising lunch provided by the staff at Port Macquarie before dropping in on the afternoon staff meeting at Kempsey. After another day observing six of our newer teachers at Kempsey on Thursday, we drove off Friday morning to talk with the Macksville principal and story with the students before turning for home. The two photos show our morning worship session at Taree.

Our schools are serving their communities admirably by tackling a huge amount of human need. The students in all schools grabbed my attention. Because their communities are comprised of so many stressed marriages and single parents, and because these communities reflect a host of other social issues as well, student classroom behaviour reflects it all. The secondary classes I saw tended to be entertaining because they were chatty workplaces where students were keen to talk about social life rather than to apply themselves and think of the future. I admire teachers who must deal daily with such students.

The rapid growth of Kempsey school is generating a sense of excitement and staff fulfilment. In conversation, two former state school teachers now at the school strongly affirmed the school as a wonderful place to teach in because of its leadership, purpose and climate. In the other three smaller schools staff were certainly positive and effective, but I could feel that in doing all they can to multi task and keep enrolling students, they feel keenly when a student leaves, and carry the future of the school on their hearts. We have always known that teachers in small schools wear down and need extra support.

The teacher induction process works well, and it also shows me that Avondale College continues to produce fine graduates. Including this younger set, the teachers I spoke to have a true sense of mission and show enormous goodwill as they work under pressure to develop students with numerous needs. I look forward to visiting more schools around the SPD as the year goes on.

Barry Hill

Director of Education SPD

News about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific.