All communities, organisations and schools have their unique culture, purpose and identity. It is important in the turmoil and busyness of daily life that we do not lose focus on who we are as a school. As such, at the start of each year, I like to remind our community of the three pillars on which our school is built. Previously I have explored what it means to be a school that stands ‘For Greatness’ and ‘For Excellence’. Today, I turn our focus upon the third of the school’s three pillars.
In learning, living and striving ‘For Christ’ we seek to provide a positive and meaningful experience of Christian faith, hope and life to all in our community. As John wrote in his gospel, ‘When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”’ (John 8:12) We live in troubled times where this light of life is essential to help us navigate our world and live with confidence, peace and purpose. As a Christian school, the timeless message of hope in Jesus and an invitational relationship with a loving creator God is foundational to OFG’s identity and character. We do not seek to force Christian belief, rituals or practices upon anyone; however, we provide opportunities for students (and parents) to be challenged and encouraged by the gospel message of redemption and new life in Christ.
We desire for members of our community to find their identity and purpose through following Jesus, developing a robust and intelligent Christian worldview and adopting a lifestyle that is attractive and compelling. We see Christ and Christian teaching as not only timeless and universal but relevant, contemporary and critical for human thriving in modern life. Our students will be best equipped to navigate the 21st Century with godly values to inform and guide their choices and attitudes. A Christian education provides opportunity for students to be loved and valued, to be biblically literate, to have an understanding of who they are and their place in the world, to have opportunities to put faith into action, and to allow the fruits of the Spirit to flourish in their lives, relationships and attitudes.
