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FEATURE EDITIONEDUCATION
2 SEPTEMBER 2017
my view
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Pondering the gap …
It’s a fair question, which has left
me pondering the gap between
what is now so easy to know and
what we actually do know.
I was given a Fitbit a while
back. I can tell you that on an
average day I will have six hours
and seven minutes of sleep, a
resting heartrate of 60, and will
walk 9,874 steps. I’m likely to burn
2,621 calories, but am less sure
how many I consume.
Confident that my health
stats were not too bad, I took a
life expectancy test (well, three of
them actually), and the gloomiest
informed me I am likely to perish
when I am 90, and the most
optimistic that I have a 75 percent
chance of being around when I
am 96. Each then referred me to a
superannuation calculator which
alerted me that I am significantly
healthier than my ‘super’, which
will almost certainly perish before
I do.
So much information …
On a rainy day, you can enter the
When I read the ancient
biblical text I find a wisdom
lacking elsewhere. Three
thousand years ago the psalmist
claimed, “Your word is a lamp
to my feet and a light to my
path” [Psalm 119:105]. This is not
information that merely interests
– it is instruction that shapes and
guides the direction of our life.
Which takes us back to the
opening question: In an age
when it is easier to know more
about the Bible than ever before,
why do we know so little about it?
The question was a little aggressive: “Why, when there are more courses and resources to help people know the Bible better than ever before, do people know the Bible less than ever before?”
data required to get your ancestry
breakdown (an obscure 2.5
percent Italian and more Jewish
than I realised), find hundreds
of helpful tips on starting a blog,
or compare the cost of flights on
airlines you have never heard of,
to destinations you never knew
existed. It’s all a short Google
search away.
Here’s the question …
Although we know more than
we did in the past, are we wiser
as a result?
Dr Brian Harris is the Principal
of Vose Seminary and Pastor at
Large for the Carey Group.
Dr Brian Harris
The power of questions
My obsession with questions began
with pastor Peter Birt. I would sit
in his office as a church intern
and field a series of uncomfortable
questions. They had a remarkable
effect; they opened up doors to new
perspectives and awareness. They
changed my thinking and shaped
my actions as a disciple of Jesus
and fresh-faced leader.
Jesus used questions to train
His disciples in the realities of
His Kingdom.
‘If a man owns a hundred
sheep, and one of them wanders
away, will he not leave the ninety-
nine on the hills and go to look
for the one that wandered off?’
[Matthew 18:12]
“What good will it be for a man
if he gains the whole world, yet
forfeits his soul?” [Matthew 16:26]
These questions continue
to inspire a Kingdom
imagination in us. As disciples
of Jesus, we can ask reflective
questions of ourselves to
grow in our faith. What is God
saying to me today? Does my
current rhythm support or
sabotage my relationships
with Jesus and others? Is my
heart growing or shrinking?
We can ask questions to
gain clarity in decision-making.
What’s really going on here? What
is the mind of Christ on this
issue? Which path requires the
greatest amount of faith?
We can ask questions to move
conversations beyond small talk.
What experiences have you had
that have defined you as a person?
What’s the biggest challenge
you’ve had to overcome in life?
What things can our generation
be proud of, and what might we
later regret?
As leaders, we can ask
questions to empower others to
thrive. What do you sense God is
doing in you, preparing you for?
What resources do you need to
accomplish what God is asking
of you? How can I help?
May we learn to ask good
questions and unlock the life
Jesus gives to us.
Dan McGrechan is the Pastor
of The Sanctuary Community
Church in Midland.
Dan McGrechan
As an avid learner, and passionate educator, I have come to appreciate the power of questions. Okay, I’m obsessed with them. I keep a notebook to record good questions I encounter. I memorise and rehearse them in my mind. I ask questions, a lot.
Invisible investments
“Are ... you okay?”
“Yes, Mum, I think I’m okay.”
He wasn’t badly hurt, but we
were stunned. Something we
had both expected to hold him
up had failed.
We often expect the
physical world to be solid.
Dependable. Sure as houses.
The indignity of earthquakes
is that sense of betrayal. The
ground beneath our feet
should be firm! But it isn’t.
Not always.
It is so much easier to put
our trust in things that can be
seen, than to put our trust in an
invisible God.
The trouble is that ‘what can
be seen is temporary, but what
cannot be seen is eternal’ [2
Corinthians 4:18b].
This messes with my head
– the things I can see, like the
trampoline, or the ground, which
appear solid and dependable,
actually aren’t; but the things I
cannot see, like God, or abstract
things like values, these invisible
things that seem ephemeral
because I cannot touch them,
are actually the things that I
can trust. They are eternal – the
things that last. The things that
do not change.
So why do I live, so often,
as if temporary things matter
more? Why is it easier to
care more about a bathroom
renovation than about the state
of my heart before God? No
comfortable answers to that
I watched my son go through a trampoline. One moment, he was up in the air, all 56 kilos of his 16 year old body. The next moment his knees were smashing into the ground through this huge rip that had just opened up in the middle of the trampoline.
Miriam Lochore teaches
creative writing at Sheridan
College, is a country pastor’s
wife and mother of three.
Miriam Lochore
question. I wonder how often
we expect education systems
(schools, universities, teachers,
even churches) to give us things
we can see. Tangible outcomes.
Secure jobs. A definite career
path. Church growth. Obedient
children. All the answers for
the exams. What if the most
valuable things an education
can give us is the stuff we
cannot immediately see: like
humility, or perseverance?
Or even a willingness, in the
face of life’s shocks and often
bitter disappointments, to keep
engaging with God and
with others?
3newsSEPTEMBER 2017
Creating exceptional learning
Notably, Carolyn Tan has
recently had her PhD conferred
and received a commendation
from esteemed German
theologian Jürgen Moltmann.
“Carolyn is currently teaching
in the area of New Testament
at Vose, alongside new adjunct
lecturer Dr Haydn Nelson,”
Michael said.
The Vocational Education
and Training (VET) sector at
Vose has seen some growth
over the past six months, with
a number of classes being
launched both at its main
location in Bentley, and also at
Lake Joondalup Baptist Church.
“The VET team have also
begun a massive redevelopment
project in order to produce some
leading educational services
in ministry, leadership and
management. This includes
some exciting new trials with
videography, audio-based
lectures and new online
technology,” Vose Seminary VET
Director Jon Bergmann said.
Vose student Pastor Graham Irvine taking part in a lecture at Vose.
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Vose College has an established
cohort of students its Master of
Education (Leadership) course
along with plans being underway
for the development of a teacher
training institute.
“Studying online can be
difficult, however the support
of the iCollaborate Network
meant that I could have the best
of both worlds – studying at my
own pace with a personal and
collaborative aspect included,”
Kingsway Christian College
teacher Sam Sheedy said.
Vose Seminary Principal
Dr Brian Harris thinks education
can be a liberating experience.
“It pushes us to consider
things that we had never
previously thought possible, and
teaches us how to integrate and
develop thoughtful and practical
responses to the world in which
we live,” Brian said
“Vose Seminary is passionate
about creating exceptional
learning environments which
enable students to thoughtfully,
passionately and appropriately
respond to the needs of modern
ministry and the workplace.”
“Seminary life is always
vibrant and busy – and with a lot
of exciting projects on the horizon
there has never been a better time
to jump into study.”
Vose Seminary currently
have a host of both new and
ongoing students, who are
learning alongside the staff
and faculty across different
programs – from Certificate
IV to Bachelor, Graduate,
Postgraduate and beyond.
As a centre within Vose
Seminary, Vose Mission proudly
partners with approximately 17
international mission agencies
and continues to equip students
inside and outside of the
classroom for effective missional
vocations by offering overseas
placements with organisations
such as OM Australia.
“Overseas placements are
powerful ways for students to
integrate their learning in ways
that set them up to minister
effectively in cross-cultural
environments,” Vose Mission
Director Lloyd Porter said.
Dr Michael O’Neil heads
up the research department at
Vose Seminary, and at the end
of August the Beyond Four Walls
book, a collection of writings from
Vose conferences was submitted
for publication.
“In addition to publications
and conferences, there continues
to be research students taking
on worthy projects which will
inevitably enrich the life of the
church,” Michael said.
Overseas placements are powerful ways for students to integrate their learning in ways that sets them up to minister effectively in cross-cultural environments.
One of the challenges of modern education is responding to the needs of an increasingly virtual world. Through its iCollaborate postgraduate learning network, Vose College is developing study options in fields outside of ministry and theology.
Vose Seminary staff are
constantly navigating the
changing and challenging
landscape of modern education
in order to serve their students,
with the aim to set them up
for a life of excellence in both
knowledge and practice.
For more information, visit
www.vose.edu.au
4 newsSEPTEMBER 2017
Chaplaincy – a job like no other
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Life is never boring in the Kimberley for YouthCARE chaplain Nikki Stinson.
“When kids, or adults, come
in upset, angry, stressed, they’ll
head straight for the file and start
colouring in and talking follows.”
“I colour-in right along with
them, partly because I enjoy it, but
it also helps keep me from making
too much prolonged eye contact,
which is culturally inappropriate
here, and tends to make people
uneasy.”
Author – Josh del Pino
Derby has a population of about
4,500, with approximately 700
students at the high school.
About 85 percent of the school
are Indigenous.
Nikki divides her time
between various tasks such
as ‘intentionally loitering’ –
walking around during breaks to
see if any students need to chat;
or one-to-one sessions in her
office with students, teachers
and parents.
“I also do a fair number of
Suicide Risk Assessments, and
regularly liaise with the school
psychologists, deputy principals
and Department of Child
Protection and Family Support,”
she said.
“I regularly do home visits to
encourage and assist families,
meet with parents at the
KindiLink program or drop-in
at the Early Learning Centre
at Mowanjum, the nearest
Aboriginal community, as often
as I am able.”
After several suicides in the
area, the manager of the local
radio station provided some
CDs of local musicians which
encourage choosing life.
“I rang to thank him, and
by the end of the conversation I
was booked to do an hour-long
weekly radio program called
Chaplain’s Corner,” Nikki said.
“That was almost two years
ago, and the radio program has
become a way to do mass home
visitation, to talk about parenting,
health, emotions, and the many
issues that students and families
deal with every day.”
Formerly in the US Navy,
Nikki felt called to make a life
change and along with her
husband and three children,
moved to Italy, Egypt and then
Thailand, before settling in Perth
in 1995.
“Those years taught us to rely
entirely on the Lord, as He was
our only support,” she said.
Nikki taught English as
a foreign language during
her travels, and has taught
in mainstream primary and
secondary schools in the US,
Egypt, and Australia.
“When we moved to Derby
I thought I would be teaching
at Derby District High School,
but the Lord made it clear that
chaplaincy was what He had
in mind, so I became the first
chaplain at the High School.”
Nikki is also an artist and has
naturally incorporated art therapy
into her role as a chaplain.
“I keep a file of photocopies
from adult colouring-in books
on my ‘talking table’ along with
a basket of markers and crayons,
and I would say that is my
greatest art resource,” she said.
Students’ award-winning art
The role of a chaplain can vary dramatically from school to school, and this is especially true for Derby District High School chaplain Nikki Stinson.
These are just a small part of the
works being produced by students
of the College’s Arts Department.
Providing students a platform
to present their skills to a broader
audience through exhibition
and performances is just part of
the vision of the Arts Learning
Area. The Lakes Theatre provides
a wonderful venue to showcase
and celebrate a gallery of student
works and productions.
“Students are encouraged
to explore their giftings in
areas such as drama, music,
media, photography, graphic
design and visual art, whilst
always aspiring to excellence in
whatever they do, supported by
a passionate team of Christian
teachers ... with amazing
results,” Robyn said.
Students across all disciplines
have been excelling in their
chosen fields. They have
represented the College in Year 12
Perspectives performances and
exhibitions, Peel Youth Artfest,
YOH Fest, ATOM Awards and St
Georges Art Awards.
In addition, 2015 graduate
Courtney Cummins won Young
Australian Artist of the Year with
her piece Me in Oils.
“Involvement in community
events and entrepeneurship is
highly supported, resulting in
students pursuing their giftings
which have been nurtured at
the College to broader horizons,”
Robyn said.
“Aspiring to further study
has long been the goal for many
an arts student, but now the
door is opening to much bigger
opportunities with several
of our past students taking
up internships in New York,
including Snapchat and media,
and another studying fashion
in London. The opportunities
are endless.”
Visitors to The Lakes Theatre at Mandurah Baptist College frequently comment on the high standard of the artworks displayed in the foyer. They are even further surprised that all the works are produced by the students, according to Mandurah Baptist College Head of Arts Robyn McCormick.
The award-winning self-portrait by Mandurah Baptist College 2015 graduate Courtney Cummins.
A self-portrait by Mandurah Baptist College student Ghadia Malik.
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5newsSEPTEMBER 2017
Empowering women with skills
Jennifer is supported by
volunteers and staff in Perth and
Adelaide who regularly travel to
train women in all locations.
“Hope is such a powerful
gift to bring to a woman who,
through no fault of her own,
has been disempowered, and to
see numbers of women in these
locations empowered to gain
employment or to start their
own business, is actually a gift
of hope to the next generation,”
volunteer Robyn Christie said.
“It’s a gift that breaks the
cycle.”
For more information or to sign
up to EmpowerAid’s newsletter,
email [email protected]
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With a focus on delivering
an international standard of
training to empower women
to have a life of dignity and
independence, EmpowerAid was
an answer to a lifelong calling
to mission work, according to
founder Jennifer Quartermaine.
“I felt called to mission as
a young child, but was unsure
what this would lead to,”
Jennifer explained.
“After pursuing a career in
hairdressing education and
starting a family, I was approached
in 2006 with an opportunity
to start a hairdressing training
program for marginalised women
living in Bangladesh.”
Since its conception, Jennifer
has made regular trips to
Bangladesh, and more recently
East Timor and north-west
Western Australia in the Pilbarra
and Kimberley regions.
These programs have created
opportunities for women living
in poverty or other disadvantaged
circumstances to receive
practical training and intentional
relationship development.
Through daily personal
development, women are
encouraged to flourish in
confidence and hope for
their future.
“Women come to us from
a variety of incredibly difficult
circumstances and it is a great
privilege to work with them,”
Jennifer said.
“We personally know every
individual who is a part of our
program. They have a face, a
name, a family and are part of a
community.”
“They have hopes and
dreams for the future, and
EmpowerAid helps them to
realise their potential, and
empowers them to share their
skills and experience with
other women.”
EmpowerAid’s original project
in Mymensingh is now staffed
locally by Bangladeshi trainers,
and a salon has been planned
to enhance work experience
opportunities and increase
financial sustainability.
Training delivery and method
is contextualised for each area,
and cultural understandings of
language, literacy and numeracy
are also considered.
“Every area requires a different
approach and is at a different
stage,” Jennifer explained.
“The reward is in seeing the
incredible capacity women in
all of these places have to learn
and be empowered to gain
employment or start their own
business.”
Trips are supported with local
knowledge and planning to help
make them accessible.
Lifelong learning at Baptistcare
may help to slow the decline
associated with conditions
including dementia by improving
blood flow to the brain and neural
connections,” Amanda explained.
Residents are encouraged
to use their abilities to exercise
both the body and the brain by
continuing lifelong hobbies and
interests, as well as trying new
experiences and exploring new
interests. Painting, gardening,
Zumba, calisthenics and playing
pool are some of the skills residents
have continued to develop or taken
up as a hobby more recently.
Nancy loves taking the
art classes.
“I first discovered art classes
which were run by Bev, a carer at
Baptistcare, who taught painting
at the time,” she said.
“Bev was extremely
encouraging and always helpful.
She gave me advice on how I
can improve my painting skills
and explained how to correct
any errors.”
“Even though my own
daughter is an artist, I had never
considered taking up painting
previously.”
“The positive attitude and
encouragement of the teacher
definitely made the difference
and kept me going. She says my
artwork is good even when I think
it is awful,” Nancy said.
Some of the activities
residents participate in to keep
Nancy started learning to paint at Baptistcare Yallambee residential care.
mentally active include quizzes,
crosswords, jigsaw puzzles,
table games, playing cards and
discussing current affairs. One
of the residents at Baptistcare
who recently turned 105
years old says participating in
quizzes is her favourite thing,
proving you are never too old to
keep learning and challenging
your brain.
For more information, visit
baptistcare.com.au
Author – Linda Lee
* Surname not included for
privacy reasons.
Volunteer training agency EmpowerAid continues to grow and provide opportunities for women in disadvantaged situations.
Students participating in EmpowerAid training earlier this year.
Proving it is never too old to learn, Nancy*, who lives at Baptistcare Yallambee Residential Care in Mundaring, started art classes after moving to the residential care facility.
Continuous learning is
a key priority at each of
Baptistcare’s residential care
facilities, which offer aged
care residents diverse activity
programs specially developed
by occupational therapy teams
and lifestyle coordinators.
“Keeping mentally and
physically active is important
for optimising wellbeing and
enjoyment of everyday life,
regardless of age,” Baptistcare
Dementia Innovation and
Allied Health Consultant
Amanda Adams said.
“The phrase ‘use it or lose it’
becomes more important as we
age, as older people generally have
a lower functional level due to the
normal ageing process.”
Programs consist of group
and individual activities for each
person’s abilities and preferences
at a level of challenge that
provides a sense of satisfaction
and stimulation. Activities are
adapted so that they are not of too
high a difficulty for residents and
not too easy, to enable cognitive
stimulation for the participants.
“Research tells us physical
activity, as well as appropriately
stimulating cognitive activity,
6 newsSEPTEMBER 2017
Brighter futures through Alta-1
the Child and Adolescent Mental
Health Service.
“From the moment I got there,
I felt like there was already that
support system set up for me. I
knew this was the place I should
be,” Alta-1 graduate Katie* said.
“I love some of the teachers
at Alta-1 and they’ve been
supporting me 100 percent. They
are not just there to work, just for a
pay cheque so they can feed their
family. They’re actually there to
support you. They care about you,”
Alta-1 student Nick*.
For more information or to
donate, visit www.alta-1.com.au
Author – Laura Sheahan
* Surname not included for
privacy reasons.
Established in 2004 as a not-for-
profit organisation by founding
members Dr Peter Havel, Garfield
Thompson and Paul Trinder, Alta-1
began by delivering an alternative
education program designed to
meet the complex needs of high-
risk young people.
Today, Alta-1 College is a
Curriculum and Reengagement
in Education (CARE) school that
delivers a relational and flexible
curriculum that is student
focused to help address social,
emotional and psychological
issues, while gaining an
academic pathway towards
secondary school graduation.
Endorsed by the School
Curriculum and Standards
Authority of Western Australia,
participants gain credits toward
the Western Australian Certificate
of Education.
According to Principal Dave
Stevens, our nation has a growing
problem with an increased
population of young people
disengaging in education.
“Issues with mental health,
addictions, despair, anxiety, fear
and an overwhelming feeling
of hopelessness all becoming a
trend,” Dave said.
“Youth suicide is a growing
problem. Families are at their wits
end. With our State’s mental health
and medical services struggling
to meet demand, the founders
of Alta-1 saw the need to build
an organisation that specifically
addressed the situation to help
reverse this trend.”
The curriculum enables a
student to address personal issues
that are impeding their educational
and vocational development, and
is built around the socioemotional
continuums, including literacy,
numeracy, personal development,
beliefs and values (religion in life),
vocational experience, as well as
site related subjects.
“Each student in the College
has a unique story, set of obstacles,
and set of hopes for their future,”
Dave continued.
“At Alta-1, we strive to help
each individual aspire to that
future, see their good within,
tackle the obstacles in life and
reach their God given potential.”
The educational process is
heavily dependent on relationship
building. All educational staff
have significant youth and social
work experience and relevant
registration.
Alta-1 works in collaboration
with the Department of Education
and Training, Department for
Child Protection, Association of
Independent Schools of Western
Australia, Ertech Construction
Academy, Polytechnic West, and
YouthCARE Chaplain Joy Magsaysay, Neerigen Ward Councillor Guenter Best, City of Armadale representative Barry Plumridge, Downer Construction
Manager Steve Dymond and Neerigen Brook Primary School Deputy Principal Lesley Barrett with students involved in the NBN artworks.
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Students at Neerigen Brook Primary School in Armadale have made their mark in the community by helping to decorate NBN Fibre Distribution Hub cabinets in the area.
Student artwork beautifies Armadale
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Students at Alta-1 are encouraged to succeed through the College’s alternative approach to education.
In only ten years, Alta-1 College has developed into multi-site senior school, providing alternative education to over 500 young people between the ages of 11 and 19 who struggle to engage with mainstream schooling.
The boxes are being installed
as part of the NBN rollout, with
boxes closest to the School to be
covered with artwork created by
the students.
The first one to be decorated
was designed by Year 6 student
Tyler*. Tyler said his work was
inspired by the local environment.
“I wanted to draw something
Australian that has snakes, grass
trees, rivers and flowers as part of
the dot painting,” he said.
“I’m proud of doing something
everyone can see. I’m going to
show my friends and family.”
The initiative was a
collaboration between YouthCARE
Chaplain Joy Magsaysay, City
of Armadale, NBN contractor
Downer EDI Engineering and
local artist Renae Whyte.
Principal Jane Wescott said
Joy’s local connections as a
member of the Armadale Youth
Council played a major part in
getting the School involved with
the project.
“One of the things that Joy
has been working on since
joining Neerigen Brook Primary
School, is building partnerships
and building connections to the
community,” Jane said.
“The artwork really
developed that sense of pride –
to have artwork displayed that
children have helped design,
removes ‘the fence in the
school’ and really builds a
strong partnership.”
Joy said she was very proud of
what the students had achieved.
“It makes me teary to see the
wonderful work the kids have
done,” she said.
“To see the kids start a project
and see it through to the end,
where it is displayed for all to see
is just wonderful.”
Author – Josh del Pino
* Surname not included for
privacy reasons.
7newsSEPTEMBER 2017
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Shanto understands the importance of a quality education – that’s why he wants to be a teacher when he grows up.
Breaking the cycle of povertyThe relationship between education and poverty reduction has been long recognised.
In fact, Quality Education
was one of the 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs)
adopted by the United Nations,
and its 193 member states, two
years ago this month.
The SDGs are an agreed set
of goals which aim to fight global
poverty and inequality, whilst
ensuring that economic growth
is environmentally sustainable.
Quality education being
accepted as a goal to be reached
to achieve a world free from
poverty, illustrates its importance
to the success of this mission.
“Education is critical to
breaking the cycle of poverty,”
Baptist World Aid Australia
International Programs Manager
Dan Skehan said.
“Increased education
has been linked to outcomes
like reduced inequality in
communities, lower child
mortality rates and better health.”
For this reason, helping
communities to ensure that
children can receive a quality
education is a key part of Baptist
World Aid’s child sponsorship
program.
“Projects aim to increase
access to quality education
– both formal and informal
– through activities such as
advocacy about its importance,
teacher training, and youth
vocational training and support,”
Dan said.
Last month, in celebration
of Be Love Sponsorship
Sunday, Baptist churches
around Australia shared the
incredible story of a young boy
who understands the value of
education.
Ten year old Shanto* lives in
rural Bangladesh.
“When I grow up, I want to
be a teacher so that children can
learn many things,” Shanto said.
But it is not enough for a
child to know that education is
important, they need to receive
a quality education too, and only
three years ago, Shanto was
often too sick to go to school.
Shanto’s parents struggled
to afford enough good food to
keep their children healthy, but
this changed when their family
joined a Baptist World Aid child
sponsorship project.
Shanto’s mother received
training to become a tailor and
start a small business.
Today she can afford plenty
of vegetables to keep Shanto
strong, healthy and in school,
so he can fulfil his dream of
becoming a teacher. When he
does, Shanto will be providing
even more boys and girls with
a quality education, so they can
have a brighter future.
For more information, visit
baptistworldaid.org.au
Author – Samara Linehan
* Surname not included due to
privacy reasons.
Growing for God in the Great Southern
2017’s Great Southern interns look forward to using their new knowledge and skills.
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Some plan to use their
experience to enter new areas of
service, others want to improve
the way the currently serve,
and all want to deepen their
understanding of what Jesus
has done for them on the cross
and how they live for Him.
“Being able to have this
type of experience without the
need to leave church or family
and live in Perth for a year is an
important thing in the country,”
Cranbrook-Frankland Baptist
Church Pastor Jeff Jackson
explained.
The twelve men and women of
all ages from Albany, Cranbrook,
Gnowangerup and Mount
Barker study a variety of biblical
topics and practical skills,
and then put those skills into
practice in their churches.
“My confidence in the
gospel and my ability to share it
with others has grown,” Mount
Barker intern Jeremiah Peters.
The program, which began
in Albany Baptist Church,
has now been expanded to
the rest of the Great Southern
region. Interns spend a full year
studying, serving within their
churches, and undertaking a
mission trip. Simultaneously
interns complete a Certificate
IV in Christian Ministry and a
Certificate III in Community
Services.
Recent high school graduates to grandparents meet in Albany each week to study the Bible together as part of their internship program.
8 SEPTEMBER 2017
feature
It’s true of many people. They live, breathe and go about their
day-to-day routine, but stopped growing a long time ago.
When you speak to them you can anticipate their replies in
advance, and their answers seldom surprise you. It always
feels a little sad.
Can we be lifelong learners?
Actually – it has never been easier than it is now. The
range of courses available leaves some with decision paralysis.
You can study full-time, part-time, online, for a formal
qualification or purely for interest. Lack of formal education
is no longer the barrier it was, with multiple bridging courses
available. There are short seminars or longer formal courses
going all the way up to the PhD qualification. No-one can
validly say that there is no course they could study, or no
seminars they could attend.
But should we keep on studying? Isn’t there the risk that
we will simply become people who know a lot but are not
necessarily wiser as a result – well educated but still foolish?
Perhaps it helps to think of the different kinds of
knowledge we can gain. While in English we only have one
word for knowledge, the ancient Greeks were more subtle.
They spoke of episteme, techne, phronesis and metis. It’s
worth pondering the meaning of each.
Episteme (from which we derive the word epistemology)
refers to theory, or about universal rules which can be
outlined, codified and repeated. It is often about the scientific
enterprise – things that can be tested and proved, with
scientific laws outlined at the end of the process. It is the
kind of knowledge that allows you to make propositions with
a measure of conviction and accuracy. Episteme has been
responsible for many of the advances of our age.
Techne (you’re right, it’s linked to the term technology)
refers to an art, craft or discipline. It is a practical skill, and
techne speaks about the knowledge or
experience that lies behind that skill.
Phronesis refers to practical wisdom
and intelligence, and the ability to
act virtuously (rather than simply to
know what is virtuous). It is linked to
moral insight, as well as to emotional
intelligence and social skills.
Metis in Greek mythology was one of
the Titans, and the first wife of Zeus. She
was associated with wisdom, but wisdom
that had an element of being ‘street smart’
or perhaps even cunning. It is the wisdom that helps you
survive, often in difficult circumstances.
The comment was dismissive. “He might have lived to 93, but he really just lived one year 93 times. He never learnt anything from life, nor did he grow from his experiences.”
9SEPTEMBER 2017
feature
As you lean in to learning, ask what
kind of knowledge you are looking for …
theoretical knowledge, an art or craft, emotional
intelligence, or the practical wisdom that will help
you navigate life’s trials and pitfalls. All are valid – and
it helps to know what you are looking for.
Perhaps I can push this further. Why not ask yourself
if you are continuing to learn and grow in all four of these
areas. You can draw up a personal checklist.
þ Episteme: What do you understand better than you did a
year ago? Is your theoretical grasp of different aspects of life
growing?
þ Techne: Are you learning any new skills? Why not try dancing?
Or how about painting? Or is now the time to learn a fresh new
craft?
þ Phronesis: Are your social skills developing? You could attend
a few seminars on bringing out the best in others, or working
more harmoniously in the workplace. You know a little more
phronesis is needed when relationships are tense and things
are held back simply because people don’t get on well.
þ Metis: Do you feel you are getting left behind in a world that
is constantly changing, or are your finances a little tight, or
do you constantly complain that you never have the time to
do the things you want? If so, look at ways to develop your
resourcefulness, or at becoming more street smart, so that you
get better deals, or are able to work a little more efficiently. If
you do, your metis quota will quickly grow.
It is sometimes said that madness is to keep on doing the same
thing over and over, expecting it to suddenly produce a different
outcome. For things to change, we need to be willing to learn and
grow. Ideally, this should simply be part of the way we approach life.
Christians believe that God created the world out of nothing.
That level of creativity should inspire our own, and as we lean in
to learning, we can perhaps be people who continue to grow and
achieve, rather than people who drearily settle for the same old,
same old …
Author – Dr Brian Harris
Dr Brian Harris is the Principal of Vose Seminary and Pastor at
Large for the Carey Group.
10 newsSEPTEMBER 2017
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Kennedy Baptist College Principal Mark Ashby and Kennedy Baptist College students are part of the Kingdom
mission of Baptist colleges and schools.
Kennedy’s clear mission
There is some evidence
to suggest that during the last
century some Christian schools
have diverged from their original
mission. The challenge is to
ensure the school’s mission is
maintained and does not fade
from generation to generation.
“The key to maintaining
a school’s mission is through
intentional strategy and
leadership,” Mark said.
Research indicates that college
board governance is essential
in guarding an organisation’s
mission. Baptist college boards
have guidelines within their
constitutions to ensure that board
members are Christians who
are committed to the mission of
the college they serve. Likewise,
Baptist college principals have
guidelines to ensure staff uphold
the college’s statement of faith as
part of the employment process.
“These processes are
embedded to ensure that
commitment to the mission is
maintained through strategic
direction and curriculum
delivery,” Mark said.
“This means that from the top
down the mission is transparently
driven and sustainable.”
“It ensures that the central
drive for Baptist colleges remains
their core mission by providing
opportunities for students to
engage in a quality education and
hear the gospel message.”
Over the past 25 years, Baptist colleges in Western Australia have offered students and parents a quality education whilst also presenting the good news of Jesus Christ to an increasingly secular world.
Kennedy Baptist College clearly
articulates its mission as ‘To
provide educational opportunities
of excellence in a Christian
context, addressing the needs of
individuals for lifelong learning.’
Kennedy extends an open
invitation to families to enrol at
the College so its mission can
permeate into the community.
Principal Mark Ashby said it
then commits to provide the best
education services possible in a
Christian setting.
“It is the College’s intention
that its culture supports academic
excellence together with an
opportunity to hear and reflect
on the Word of God. A duality of
mission,” Mark said.
“The College has a number
of structures in place to ensure
that its Christian ethos is
unambiguous. This includes
employing committed Christian
staff and presenting the gospel
through a timetabled Christian
education program alongside a
pastoral care program reflecting
Jesus’ clear mission.”
Other Baptist colleges
operating in Western Australia
have similar Kingdom missions.
The independent boards that
govern each college have
constitutions that ensure a
continued focus on the mission
and provision of opportunities to
share God’s Word.
As Baptist colleges continue to
grow and become a key part of the
wider community, a real challenge
exists, according to Mark.
Aspiring studentsFour Carey Baptist College
students are currently taking part
in the City of Armadale’s pilot of
the Aspire career development
program. The six week program
is driven by local industries and
aims to increase job readiness
with workshops such as resume
writing, interview techniques and
industry excursions.
Basketball championship winKennedy Baptist College’s Senior
Girls Basketball, in an historic
achievement, went undefeated
in the School Sport Western
Australia Champion Schools
Basketball regular season
earning them a place in the
grand final held during the final
week of Term 2. The final was
held against Willetton Senior
High School – winners of the
championship 18 times in the
past 21 years – with Kennedy
emerging victors 59 to 44.
Wet weather blitzRecent heavy rains in Perth
were put to good use by primary
students at Austin Cove Baptist
College with a tree-planting blitz
taking place. The seedlings were
supplied by Men of the Trees in
Rockingham, and a team from
Bunnings Halls Head helped to
plant 12 established trees.
Principal changesRowan Clark and Tel Williams
have concluded their role as the
Principal at Carey Baptist College
and Quinns Baptist College
respectively. Dawn Clements
will be concluding at the end of
the year as the Principal of Lake
Joondalup Baptist College. Tamara
Saunders has been appointed as
the new Secondary Principal of
Quinns Baptist College.
school briefs
The challenge of chaplaincy
Lishka Hawke enjoys chaplaincy despite the challenges she faces daily.
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Department of Education – a
secular environment.
Each day comes with new
challenges, there is never a dull
moment. I am constantly learning
new things and being stretched in
my capacity as a chaplain. Each
day, I am always doing something
different. I feel very fortunate to
play a key part in a much bigger
team of people who all work
together to achieve the best
outcome for each student.
An average day can look like
anything from: playing four
square, one-on-one pastoral
meetings, administration
work, conversations with staff,
camps, driving a sports team
to a match, attending meetings
with staff and parents, working
with the student council or
generally getting involved in
events around the school. I love
the variety of what I get to do
from day to day. There is always
something happening to keep
me busy and expand
my repertoire.
The beauty of chaplaincy
is that every single school
is completely different, and
every chaplain is unique. Even
working within one school, the
chaplaincy provided by each
individual chaplain looks very
different. It is wonderful that we,
as chaplains, have the freedom to
express who we are and use our
strengths to build rapport with
the staff and students around us.
I love being a chaplain; I get
to work with some incredible
people and students. I am
constantly encouraged by the
bravery and courage that I see in
students who fight to be the best
they can be.
Author – Lishka Hawke
If I’m being honest, becoming a chaplain at the age of 20 was not something I had planned. Instead, it was something I fell into after someone had encouraged me to pursue that pathway.
Prior to starting my work as a
chaplain, I had worked in other
community service jobs since
finishing TAFE. I always knew
that I enjoyed working with youth
more than adults. I first stepped
into chaplaincy in 2014 and have
loved every minute of it.
In my first year I worked in a
primary school and then stepped
into a year of part-time secondary
school and primary school work.
I eventually took on working in a
secondary school only, Shenton
College. I am now in my third
year at Shenton College and I am
loving everything about it.
Being a chaplain in a public
school has been one of the most
challenging, yet rewarding
experiences of my life. I have seen
a significant increase in mental
health, friendship issues and
stress from curriculum pressure.
This has pushed me to ensure
I am always at the forefront of
professional learning to meet the
needs of our students. I feel that
it is a privilege, as a Christian,
to be a pillar of support for both
students and teachers in the
11SEPTEMBER 2017
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The freedom to study
In 1517, Bibles were expensive,
difficult to understand
and impractical (such as
Prince Anthony Günther of
Anhalt-Zerbst’s Bible which
weighed over nine kilograms).
Education and literacy were
a privilege of the rich and the
influential, of the nobles and
the clergy.
Martin Luther, a clergyman
and professor of theology
himself, believed that this
narrow privilege deprived the
majority of the population of
the freedom to discover and
make full use of their God given
potential. Taking the matter into
his own hands, he translated the
Bible from Latin into German
and preached to his students
at university that all baptised
believers were ‘priests’ and of
equal rank in God’s Kingdom.
In a letter to the German
political leaders of 1524, Luther
declared an educational ‘state
of emergency’ and appealed
for more schools to be built
and investments into public
education to be made.
He insisted that every man
and every woman, no matter the
social rank, should have access to
education and should be able to
study God’s Word.
While his teachings would
show to have a significant
influence on bigger scale
social developments such as
the increased establishment
of public libraries and schools,
Luther believed that a child’s
education was first and foremost
dependent upon parental
dedication towards schooling.
The Martin Luther monument in Wittenberg is a public reminder of the theologian’s dedication to the written
Word of God.
When Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to a church door in the German town of Wittenberg, he was convinced that every Christian believer should be able to read and study the Bible. It was this conviction that drove an educational revolution which would influence school culture all over Europe and spread across the world.
Luther criticised that parents
in his day and age were neglecting
their children’s intellectual and
spiritual wellbeing over a focus
on their physical wellbeing. His
teachings had a noticeable impact
on the development of education
and family culture in the historic
Protestant community.
According to a recent study by
Becker and Wößmann based on
historical figures, the clergyman’s
revolutionary encouragement to
parents to send their daughters (as
well as their sons) to school led to
a correlation between the number
of Protestants living in a city and
the number of girls attending
school in that city. The scholars
found that even up until the late
1800s, Protestant women could
read and write better than other
women in Germany.
Martin Luther was not the
only theologian who stressed the
importance of public education
during the Reformation. Besides
well-known historical figures
such as Calvin, Melanchthon and
Zwingli, it was also university
students who spread the
Reformation’s revolutionary
message prior to the invention
of the printing press. Coming
from throughout Europe to learn
about the controversial teachings,
the students took their newly
found knowledge (and with it the
educational reformation) into
their home countries; decreasing
public illiteracy and the education
gap between men and women
in many majority Protestant
countries throughout Europe.
Author – Ramona Őtting
Baptist Financial Services Australia (BFS) is an Australian Baptist Ministry providing financial services for the Baptist and wider Christian Community.
Due to increased growth in Western Australia, BFS is seeking a Relationship Manager to fill a role based in the Perth office as a second staff member.
ThisThis part-time position involves actively serving the Christian community by promoting BFS services and managing all loan enquiries.
The position provides an attractive salary package and previous experience in the Financial Services Sector and Lending is required. Please forward expressions of interest to [email protected]
BFS RELATIONSHIP MANAGER VACANCY
12 SEPTEMBER 2017
When did you become involved
in the education sector?
I have been an educator for
30 years and I am probably more
enthusiastic now than I ever
have been!
If you are like me, you can
recall that teacher who saw
something in you that no-one
else did. Or who explained
something in a different way and
it suddenly clicked. We know that
this simply cannot happen with
crowded classrooms and stressed
out staff. My role is not just to
select excellent teachers in the
first place, but to support staff to
keep engaging in professional
development, and growing their
personal faith. I am committed
to lifelong learning in my own
life and engage with what
leading thinkers say about what
the future might look like for the
next stage of learning.
Seeing students move on,
healthy and secure, to the next
stage of life just makes me
even more driven to not just
foster outstanding students,
but to help South Coast Baptist
College (SCBC) develop people
of outstanding integrity and
character.
What are some of the biggest
changes in teaching you have
seen in your career?
Schools started out as
geographic places, but they now
have a global reach. Teachers and
adults are no longer perceived as
the gatekeepers of knowledge,
as access to information is easy.
Young people can now spend
more time with technology than
with people, so as a College we
need to manage that.
I think people who are not
exposed to education now
would be utterly amazed at
the changing landscape. For
example, at SCBC, our football
program use drone technology
– built by students – to fly over
the training field and pick up
data about players which we
then analyse. It was only a
year ago that drones started
being widely used this way
in China – so in education,
new technology is integrated
very quickly and, at SCBC, we
prioritise these innovations.
How do you keep up?
No-one can keep up! And
parents are very aware that they
are not keeping up with the
digital space.
The rate of change has
become cumulative, with no
slowing down in sight. But
it’s fun! You don’t have to be
overwhelmed. It’s about working
out what helps kids and what
is going to contribute to the
in conversation
the hearts and minds of the
young people entrusted to
our care. For example, one
of our hospitality teachers
is a fantastic chef. He joined
forces with our engineering
staff and some students to
design and build a food trailer.
Our young people are now
happily serving homeless
clients with freshly cooked,
high-end meals with The
Salvation Army. That project
is a mix of talent, skill and
personal faith playing out
in their lives. Kids are very
creative and they helped drive
it. People might be surprised
to see some of the things we
have adopted that have come
to us from our own student
body – with some gentle
nudging from us! To me, that’s
where it’s at – seeing students
using the resources available
to them to take God’s love into
their community.
What principles do you
think should distinguish a
Christian school?
Being a Christian school isn’t
a badge to hide behind. It can’t
be tokenism.
Excellence in faith, character,
and achievement should coexist.
I have heard it said that ministry
and mission set the framework
for economy and cleverness, and
that really resonates with me.
Fundamental beliefs
matter, and at the heart of our
Keeping up with the drones
wellbeing and education of
the person. Wisdom enables
discernment.
Students are empowered
to follow their instinctive
curiosity and interests. As
Christian teachers, we need
to help kids learn how to
intentionally turn away from
technology. Turning off
altogether is not realistic or
practical, but we can nurture
them in promoting time out: to
enjoy being human; to enjoy
being a person, made in the
image of an infinitely creative
and loving God.
How do you approach the
issue of the digital revolution
in the College?
We need to re-imagine
education.
Great school staff always
start with the question, “What
can I learn to help students
have a more enriching learning
experience?” If they see an
opportunity for technology
to be helpful, they will seek to
investigate its application to
their teaching. For example,
at SCBC technology has
affected the way our school
and classrooms have been
built and designed. There is
an argument that the design
features of exposed structure,
height and light facilitate an
optimal learning environment.
A classroom is more correctly a
‘class-space’: a space that helps
promote effective learning.
We know that effective
learning involves interactive
relationships. While teachers
are no longer the gatekeepers
of knowledge, they remain
significant influencers and
encouragers of young minds.
We need to be aware of the
limitations of traditional
education methods in today’s
innovative world. As a Principal,
it’s imperative to be looking
at new approaches to inspire
the teachers and students
in my school community. I
recently took a team of staff to
a Future Schools conference
in the United States. We visited
high-functioning schools and
spent time with internationally
published, analytical thinkers in
education. It was very valuable
and we came away with a
paradigm shift in the way we saw
learning moving forward.
How does being a Christian
school shape your commitment
to excellence?
Real excellence is God’s
love in action. We have
highly skilled personnel
in all areas of the school.
Together, they help shape
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beliefs is that a human being
is of value. If our young people
conceive they have been made
in the image of God, they will
instinctively know they are
gifted with abilities that can
make a positive difference to
themselves and the lives of
others. They will value matters
of lasting significance, and not
issues and activities of fleeting
content. If schools truly reflect
the influence of our awesome
God, then people will want to
be drawn to that and want to be
a part of it.
Des Mitchell, Principal of South Coast Baptist College, talks with The Advocate about navigating through the digital revolution.
South Coast Baptist College Principal Des Mitchell exploring the SCBC app created by Year 9 students.
13SEPTEMBER 2017
growth
Something about knowledgeis a wonderful gift, one that all
people should have a desire for
and access to, but when it is used
as a weapon can be terrifying and
soul destroying.
The Apostle Paul was an
incredibly educated man. He
trained under Gamaliel, one of
the most highly respected doctors
of the Jewish law. Not only did
he train under him, Paul was his
most excellent student! He knew
the law inside and out, and how to
apply it.
When the Church was
birthed, he used his knowledge
as a weapon by persecuting
Christians. It wasn’t until Paul
met Christ personally though, did
he receive knowledge that truly
became life to him.
From this pivotal moment, Paul
understood that the knowledge
of his head, all the futile ‘stuff’ he
had mastered was nothing. It was
worth nothing. It was worth less
than nothing. It was worth dung (it
was worth poo).
The knowledge that was
worth something was knowledge
of Christ. Not knowledge about
Christ, but intimate knowledge that
came through knowing Christ,
the person. Not an intellectual
apprehension, but an experiential
knowledge resulting from personal
communion with Him.
A knowledge that reveal who
we truly are in light of who He
truly is.
A knowledge that was birthed
out of intimacy and trust. A
knowledge that was of the heart,
rather than the head.
This knowledge – knowing
Him – should be the ultimate
goal for all believers. All of our
gains, achievements and goals,
Paul implores us to count them
as loss.
I can learn about Jesus, about
His life and family. I can read His
teachings and seek to understand
the choices He made and the
actions He took in His life. I can
seek to know how He related to
As I neared the end of my secondary school education, my Mum asked me, “What are you going to do when you finish school?”
My response was, “Well, I’m just
going to go to university and study
and when I finish one course I’ll
study another and then another
and then another until I retire.”
Clearly, I didn’t really know
what I wanted to do, but I knew
I had an insatiable desire for
learning; to know and understand
the world around me.
Knowledge. Facts, information
and skills acquired through
experience and education. As a
society we value knowledge and
rightly so. We love to trawl the
world for all kinds of knowledge,
which has never been easier than
in this digital age.
We love to listen to gifted
speakers draw knowledge from
the filing cabinets of their brain
and present arguments that
astound and enlighten us. We have
valued knowledge to the point that
the question of its seeming worth
above true belief has its own name
(the Meno problem, first discussed
by Socrates and Plato).
Knowledge is good and can be
used for good. The Bible teaches
us to seek out knowledge and to
treasure it as a valued possession.
Knowledge though, can also
be hurtful and intimidating. We
can use diverse and extensive
vocabulary in well-formed
sentences to show clever wit that
brings humiliation to those who
are not particularly academic in
their wiring.
We can have prejudices
toward people based on the
level of their education and
their academic understanding.
Knowledge puffs up and can be
used to laud it over others.
Knowledge, when delivered
and utilised in love and humility
the people of His life and how He
related to God the Father.
I can do all of this by
reading the Bible and various
commentaries on those books. I
can look at history and watch the
plethora of videos and teachings
that have been made about
Him that are plastered all over
the internet and filling all of the
libraries and bookshops across the
world. I can talk to other people
about Him in a bid to know Jesus.
But until I meet Him and sit at
His feet, allowing Him to speak to
me and share with me, I can only
know Him with that knowledge of
the head.
Once I have made that first
step in faith, my heart becomes
alive to the reality of this person
who, though He died, was raised
to life and now lives in my heart,
by faith.
I can know Him intimately and
personally. I can have a knowledge
that is alive and empowers me to
understand who God is, who I am,
and what my purpose is in this
world for this time.
This is a knowledge that
never seeks to intimidate others
or make me look good. It is not a
knowledge that has quick wit and
a silver tongue. It is not knowledge
that puts others down or makes
people feel inadequate.
It is a knowledge that brings
with it the love of Christ and all He
is. It is a knowledge that seeks to
bring wholeness and healing to all
humankind.
Peter and John went to pray,
they met a lame man on the
way and after they healed him
they were hauled up before the
Sanhedrin (the Jewish judges).
The Sanhedrin were well-
educated, they had knowledge,
they knew the Torah and the
rules and regulations. They
knew what their religion should
look like.
The Sanhedrin marvelled
at the two untrained and
uneducated fishermen, who were
operating in the power of what
could only be God.
They realised that they had
been with Jesus.
They had gained knowledge
of who Jesus is, by spending time
with Him and getting to know
Him. This enabled them to trust
Jesus for a notable miracle.
We, through faith in Jesus and
His accomplished work, are also
able to know God, Sovereign King
of the Universe and Eternity. We,
even if untrained and uneducated,
are of value to Him. We need just
know Him.
This kind of knowledge
changes lives. Removes fear.
Removes intimidation. Makes all
people equal. Brings back balance.
It is vital that, as a people,
we never cease our pursuit
for knowledge. Much good
comes from what we learn. It
is equally vital though, that we
remember all knowledge is dung
in comparison to knowing the
Creator of knowledge as a first
priority. It is Him alone who
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determines our value, not how
much we know.
Puritan John Owen
encouraged people to know God
experientially saying that if we
know doctrine in mind only, it will
lead to nominal Christianity and
eventually unbelief. (Paraphrased
from Chapter 11 of Timothy
Keller’s book Prayer). It is vital that
we seek to know Christ intimately
and personally.
Paul prayed in Ephesians
that we may know the love of
Christ that passes knowledge and
are filled with all the fullness of
God. May you experience that
knowing, the knowing that passes
knowledge, and may it fill your all.
Author – Sarah Oliva
Used with permission from Sarah
Oliva, writesomething.org.au
14 SEPTEMBER 2017
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Editor: Matt ChapmanManaging Editor: Andrew SculthorpeSubeditor: Caitlin Quartermaine Production: Vanessa Klomp Creative: Peter IonAdvertising: Sally PhuDistribution: Sally PhuEditorial deadline: 5th of each month
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The Advocate is published on behalf of Baptist Churches Western Australia by imageseven. Tel: (08) 6500 7777 Email: [email protected]
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Finding purpose in music
Whilst in LA, Constanza had
the opportunity to record with
musicians who have performed
with great names, including
Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli and
Michael Bublé.
The Australian/Chilean singer
and songwriter previously acted
in a television drama and sung
in a pop band as a teenager in
Chile. Having moved to Australia,
Constanza has now completed her
Certificate IV in Musical Theatre
and a Bachelor of Music at the
Western Australian Academy of
Performing Arts.
Music has been a big part of
Constanza’s life and faith. As a
result, she has considered the
role of music in her life and how
she can best use it to impact the
world around her.
“A part of me doesn’t want
to take music too seriously as I
don’t want to allow that to define
who I am or put my value in
success,” she said.
“At the same time, I do take it
very seriously because it is a gift
from God that I feel the privilege
and responsibility to share and
hopefully have a positive impact
on this broken world we live in.”
Constanza has not
only found that purpose in
performance and worship, but
also in teaching. She has been
teaching music in schools
and privately since she started
university and often leads
worship at her church.
“Receiving education has
encouraged me to also share it …
there’s nothing like sharing the
things you’ve learnt with others.”
Constanza’s EP launch will
be on Friday 20 October at the
Fly By Night Musicians Club,
Fremantle.
For more information, visit
www.constanzaherrero.com
Author – John Igglesden
Using music to learn
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Catherine Wilmot, from Carey Baptist Church, is approaching a significant milestone in the next few months. It will be 25 years that she has used music to provide therapy to a variety of patients facing a range of challenges.
Music therapy is ‘a research-based
practice and profession in which
music is used to actively support
people as they strive to improve
their health, functioning and
wellbeing’ the Australian Music
Therapy Association states.
Many music therapists
work with people experiencing
physical, social or emotional
disabilities, as well as those
experiencing learning or
language difficulties.
Since 2005, Catherine has
been working with Sing and
Grow, a music therapy project
that provides services for young
children and their families.
Using the patient’s context,
strengths, needs and responses
to music, Catherine intentionally
uses music to help her patients
engage in their learning and
reach their goals, and become the
best versions of themselves.
“The music provides an outlet
in which children can actively be
involved in, so you can encourage
a struggling child to find
confidence in their own abilities
Not only do Catherines’s young clients benefit from her music therapy
but so do their families.
Constanza still finds time to teach music whilst recording her new EP.
... it is a gift from God that I feel the privilege and responsibility to share and hopefully have a positive impact on this broken world we live in.
Having recently returned to Western Australia from Los Angeles where she started recording her upcoming EP, Constanza Herrero is already back in the studio to continue her recording.
and thus encourage more learning
involvement,” Catherine said.
For more information, visit
www.singandgrow.org
Author – John Igglesden
“There’s no point in learning
how to sing with the best
technique you can if you don’t
find a purpose to share your gift,”
Constanza said.
15SEPTEMBER 2017
intermission
This voucher entitles you to 15% off your next purchase in store at Mount Lawley
The Advocate – September 2017
read
A minute with ...
What led you to this role?
A while ago someone used their profession and God-given gift to save my
life at their own expense. I believe that God used their actions to be a witness to
me, to imprint on my soul the value of purposeful and intentional servitude. The
experience of being a recipient of God’s love through someone else’s deliberate
actions was incredibly overwhelming, intimidating and beautiful. This crash
course in God’s love further fuelled my desire to serve, coupled with my education
and advocacy background, I hoped that the education and or community service
sectors would be where I could do so.
What is a feature of your ministry you would like to share?
When the opportunity to serve on a start-up team for an Early Learning Centre,
where one of the objectives is to minister to and care for the welfare of the whole
family came up, I felt called and compelled to be involved. At Canning Bridge we
are currently blessed with the resources to be able to provide alongside the child
care, a chaplaincy service, community playgroups, community events, men’s and
women’s events, meals, monthly community church services with lunch provided,
and referrals to other professional services as needed.
How do you separate yourself effectively from work to rest?
I often struggle with rest and feelings of deserting my post when away from
work. However, my husband and three sons are great motivators to be present
in the moments with them. God has been teaching me through complex health
issues the importance of pacing myself and self-care, as well as teaching me the
importance of treasuring and valuing the time at home with my family, and how
regenerating the simple things can be.
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the
first time?
It is easy to become overburdened and disillusioned in a leadership position. I
have found that it is helpful to recognise and acknowledge these states existence.
Then instead of looking at the whole overwhelming picture, focusing on individual
scenarios as separate entities each of which is an opportunity to witness God’s
love. I find this helps reground me and provides perspective again.
A final thought …
No matter what life and leadership are throwing at you, there are always
opportunities to serve and witness Gods love, it is in these moments that you can
find fulfilment and great peace.
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Reviews by Koorong Mount Lawley staffWebsite: www.koorong.com
Address: 434 Lord Street, Mount Lawley
Phone: 08 9427 9777
On the Way for 3-9sDavid Jackman
On the Way for 3-9s is a children’s ministry
lesson program for a range of age groups.
Divided into books for 3 to 9 years old and
11 to 14 years old, activities are designed for
age groups within each book, for example,
three to five years then four to seven. Each
book has a theme and a main point for
each week, as well as the aim and plan of
the lesson and activities appropriate to
reinforce the lesson for each age group. The
books also include reproducible material so
they can be used for both small and large
groups while being cost effective. These
resources are useful in situations where
there is no electronic equipment as there
is no DVD included, also making it easy for
both novice and experienced facilitators.
– Dorothy
The Jesus Storybook Bible: Curriculum KitSally Lloyd-Jones and Sam Shammas
Based on the bestselling The Jesus
Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones, the
curriculum kit will suit large and small
groups with options to use videos and
audio or allow the leader to do the whole
lesson themselves. With 44 lessons, this
is almost a whole year of content with
printable handouts and teacher’s notes.
Children and teachers alike will enjoy this
curriculum, bringing Jesus alive – not just
in the New Testament but showing how
Jesus is also linked to the Old Testament
stories. The story section is short, helping
children stay focused, and is followed
by a fun craft activity, allowing children
to express themselves creatively and to
actively reinforce the story’s message.
– Alison
The Seven Laws of the LearnerBruce Wilkinson
Teaching is often considered one of the
most challenging and yet rewarding roles
that a person can undertake. For those who
choose it as a profession, it is essential to
understand the learning process and how
to effectively pass on what they are seeking
to teach. In The Seven Laws of the Learner,
Bruce Wilkinson looks at seven laws to help
any and all teachers in their pursuit of this.
Each law is broken into two chapters, the
first challenging the reader’s beliefs about
teaching and the second aimed at changing
behaviour as a teacher. In his introduction,
the author makes a capturing statement:
‘The teacher is the living link between the
content and the class, and how he or she
accomplishes that is the heart of teaching.’
Take the challenge that Bruce himself
took and look at teaching from God’s
perspective. – Dorothy
Kim Moore – Canning Bridge Early Learning Centre Director Como Baptist Church
16 SEPTEMBER 2017
sport
The explosion of female footy
The Iona Presentation College Football team after a training session with Coach Taylor Pervan, and Docker’s Women’s Coach and Iona Past Pupil Michelle Cowan.
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In Rio, our female gold medallists
outnumbered the men 20 to
three; Eleni Glouftsis became
the first female field umpire in
AFL history, officiating her first
match between Essendon and
the West Coast Eagles; in only its
second season, the Women’s Big
Bash League was embraced by
cricketing fans with huge crowds
(121,000 in 2016/2017 season)
and impressive TV ratings; and
this year saw the successful
introduction of the AFL Women’s
league. The inaugural game
drew massive crowds, with
approximately 2,000 spectators
turned away from the ground
after it had reached capacity.
According to VicHealth
CEO Jerril Rechter, the interest
in women’s sport has not
been sudden. Rather, it has
been gaining momentum
for some time. This year
VicHealth launched a campaign
#ChangeOurGame to increase
the profile of women in sport and
encourage female participation
in sport.
“Women in sport is no
different to men’s sport,”
Ms Rechter explained.
However, she admitted
that there is still a long way to
go before achieving equality
between men and women
participating in sport.
“Women are significantly
under-represented in
management, coaching and
officiating, particularly at the
higher levels,” she said.
In WA, female football has
exploded in popularity after the
successful launch of the Women’s
AFL Competition. There are
now double the number of girls
playing the sport compared to the
same time last year.
The WA Football
Commission’s female football
coordinator recently commented
that the number of secondary
schools fielding girls’ teams had
grown by 44 percent in 2017.
In 2012, fewer than 5,000
females were playing competitive
football. This has increased to
more than 70,000 female players.
One of three private girls’
schools in Perth offering the
sport to its students. Iona
Presentation College’s football
team is having great success and
a lot of fun.
To encourage more interest
in the game, the Fremantle
Dockers Women’s Coach and
Iona Presentation College past
pupil, Michelle Cowan, has been
working with the girls to improve
their game.
“It’s great to see, not only
Iona, but so many schools across
WA and the whole of Australia
embracing the game for women,”
Michelle commented.
The rise of young women in sport, and AFL in particular, has been gaining momentum in recent years. In fact, just this year a number of significant milestones have been overcome – females outnumbered male athletes for the first time at a Summer Olympic Games.
“We’ve seen that there has
been a rise from 35,000 young girls
playing the game in WA last year to
70,000 this year, so the growth has
been incredible, it is an exciting
time,” Michelle continued.
The College also recently
invited representatives from the
Claremont Women’s Football
Club to run clinics with the Year
10 students. Lindsey Kenyon
and Louise Carey of Claremont
Women’s Football Club spoke to the
girls about the basics of football,
teamwork and game play, before
working on skill development.
“The Women’s AFL
Competition has raised
awareness for women’s sport,
empowering more women to take
part and definitely encouraging
more women to play footy,” Year
10 Iona student Eden Ryan said.
“I have always loved watching
football, and now with a women’s
league, it is really exciting for
those of us who want to continue
playing after school,” said Year 10
Iona student Niamh Osborne.
One Iona student who plans
to follow in her father’s footsteps,
Fremantle’s Scott Chisholm, and
do just that is 16 year old Sarsha
Chisholm. In her second season,
Sarsha would one day like to play
for the same side at the same
elite level.
“I think Dad would be upset if
I went and played for a different
team,” Year 11 student Sarsha said.
Esperance Anglican
Community School (EACS) also
provides a wide range of sporting
opportunities for its girls. This
year, the EACS girls participated
in an AFL tournament and had
great success at School Sport
Western Australia Country Week.
The girls also won the volleyball,
placed second in netball and
third in dance. To further support
and encourage young women to
participate in sport, the School
has recently been accredited by
Netball WA to become a netball
specialist school.
Author – Laura Sheahan
