The Heart of Christian Education

One of the great lessons of the Bible is that wisdom and wise behaviour spring from the heart. Jesus said, "Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit." (Matthew 7:17,18). There are many essential elements to a good Christian education: teachers, curriculum, discipline and structure, parents and family ... but unless God's Spirit works in the hearts of children as well as in their minds, the transformation to maturity we seek in them will only ever be superficial.

We can give thanks for a really good start to the year: teachers are excited and engaged in their work, children are responding well and settling into learning routines. We have a happy school. Our first month of this year has passed with speed.

Progress in children's academic learning can be monitored through Engrade. Progress in the transformation of hearts is not so easily discerned, but that is what we must be aiming for at home and in school, and what we must be praying for.