Wednesday 1st March 2023

Latest Update

Greetings all

I had the privilege of sitting under some wonderful teaching recently in Hebrews 11. The passage speaks of the heroes of the faith. A common saying goes "I'll believe it when I see it". Hebrews 11 turns that on its head and calls us to have faith so that if we believe then we may see!

As observed at other times, the Wellington Christian Education Project has taken a number of twists and turns, not the least of which was going back to the drawing board in our site search. Sometimes I feel I don't have what it takes to be part of finding a site to relocate Miramar Christian School.  When I feel like that, the Spirit speaks to me and says "Mark - you don't have to have what it takes - I, Yahweh, have what it takes!".

Inspired by the heroes of the faith like Abraham and others, we press on believing God will carry us through.

We can celebrate all the ways in which God has provided so far;

• thank you Lord for all those who have labored in the field of Christian education in Wellington

• thank you Lord for the gift of Christian education itself

• thank you for Miramar Christian School (and Maranatha Christian School) who serve their communities faithfully

• thank you for the project partners from all around New Zealand and the WCET who have carried the vision so faithfully

• thank you for support from the Ministry of Education

• we celebrate NZCPT becoming Proprietor of Miramar Christian School and honour the Peniel Trust who have faithfully carried the school for more than 40 years

• we thank you that the school now has a minivan and a growing roll

Here is a link to a few words from Mark.

Miramar Christian School - Most of you will have seen news that the school has purchased a minivan and is running a bus service from the railway station. Grateful thanks to the Wellington Christian Education Trust who donated the money to the school to make this possible. You may recall the WCET was formed approximately 15 years ago to carry the vision for enhancing the provision of Christian education in Wellington. WCET are now partnering with other education Trusts from around New Zealand and Miramar Christian School to progress the vision. The school has been delighted to receive new enrolments as a result of the bus service. The school Board welcomes two new Board members - Stuart van Rij (a parent interested in enrolling at a relocated site) and Phillip Mark Bradley (from one of the partner Trusts in Auckland). 

Miramar Christian School now has a new Proprietor. The New Zealand Christian Proprietors Trust became proprietor effective 21st January. This has been in the planning stages for some time. 

Site Search Coordinator - The project is delighted to introduce Ivan Wong Kee who commenced work in this role on the 6th of January. Ivan is busy networking, scouring the property market and also enquiring about properties that are not on the market but have potential.

Zoom recording with Ivan Wong Kee 

If you have a lead on a potential property we encourage you to contact Ivan - email ivan.wongkee@remax.co.nz or phone 021 585 416. and cc Mark in.

Change of class application - Late last year we contacted all interested families and asked them to consider completely a survey to assist us with our application to change year levels and increase the roll once we have a suitable site found.

The application requires community consultation. This includes the current Miramar families and all those who have expressed interest in enrolling in the re-sited school.  Thank you so much to all who have completed this. 

Below is a link to a survey we would love you to complete if you haven't already and if you are a Miramar family or interested in enrolling your children in the school in the future. This will help us to understand in more detail what you are looking for and how our work to date matches that. 

https://forms.gle/Rn5Cq2j1ueG3ac6w7 

Public Meeting - With the delay in relocating Miramar Christian School we consider we are overdue for a face to face catch up. Programme to be confirmed but we hope to have some great speakers, nice food, excellent kids programme and a chance for everyone to reconnect as well as meeting new families. We are working on finalising the date and will advise you as soon as we can.

Expression of Interest List - Thank you to the families who signed up over the summer. Follow this link to see how this would translate into school roll and year levels.

Article of Interest - Developing the Wellington Christian Education Project comes at a challenging time in New Zealand's history for Christians. The thinking and values of the wider New Zealand society are increasingly at odds with the way that Jesus set before us. Here is a link to an article by Gavin Hastings, Principal, Hastings Christian School.  It is a good reflection of how Christian educators are thinking about our times and what Christian education can look like. I was very encouraged to read this and commend it to you.

In closing, we acknowledge all those so profoundly affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. I realise some of you reading this will have relatives and friends who are struggling.  

Mark Larson - Wellington Christian Education Project Leader