Charlton Christian College: A Journey :about us

Charlton Christian College: A Journey 1.Building community which is based on trust and is therefore open to change. This is planned and purposeful. Shalom Community New Testament imagery includes descriptions of shalom as: a body, with each part serving the other; a building, with each brick fitting with the other; and a new peaceable kingdom, in which Jesus is the fulfilment of former images, even to the point of being named not only the shalom bringer but shalom itself: “For he himself is our peace [shalom].” Ephesians 2:14a (NIV).

Charlton Christian College: A Journey 2. Doing the reading and thinking required to open my mind up to the possibilities. Sharing with the Exec. This has to be a team effort. 3. With the School Board, building an understanding of what we value, our core business and what a graduate from Charlton will look like.

Charlton Christian College: A Journey College Motto: “Equipping for Life” This Motto has led to the development of: Charlton Christian College: Cornerstones (Ephesians 2:20-22) Equipping for a life of: LOVE Demonstrating God’s love within a merciful and just community. INTEGRITY Building character and excellence through courageous discipleship FAITH Growing a people of hope, freedom and wisdom through confidence in the Work of Jesus Christ. EMPOWERMENT Developing a body of passionate and radical Christians, ready to transform their world.

Charlton Christian College: A Journey Charlton Graduates At Charlton, we now ask ourselves, “What would we like a graduate of Charlton to ‘look’ like?” Obviously we would like our graduates to be well- educated. That is our key responsibility as an educational community. As well, we would like our students to be life-long learners. People who see the need for continuing their learning in every area of their lives. We would like our students to have a deep understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be ready to answer God’s call on their lives. Our graduates need to be people of integrity and love because that will stand them in good stead in every area of their lives outside of our safe school environment.

Charlton Christian College: A Journey Our graduates should be capable of self-reflection so that they are increasingly aware of their responsibility for their own actions and their impact on the wider community. We would like our young people to be servant- hearted; people who look out for the needs of others, not just their own needs and desires. A Charlton graduate should be persevering and diligent; not afraid of hard work and doing his or her best. There are many more distinctives we could wish for our young people, but if we can send them out with hope and a sense of empowerment, then we will feel that, with God’s help, we have succeeded.

Charlton Christian College: A Journey 4. Developing a vision as a principal which is linked to the School Vision/Mission and which focuses the need for change and imminent change. My Vision Christ-centred education is about God’s transforming vision for life as revealed in the Bible. A Christian school is to be a Christ- centred learning community which is God fearing, led by the Holy Spirit and shaped by Biblical truth. It is an education for radical discipleship following Christ’s call to go into all areas of life to redeem them under His Lordship.

Charlton Christian College: A Journey 5. Starting with self-reflection. Beginning the staff review process including 360 Exec Review. 6. Doing the surveys staff students, parents Exec, Principal. 7. Finding the language around School Improvement: Excellence, Innovation, and Personal Best within a Christian Learning Community.

Charlton Christian College: A Journey 8. Using the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership’s (AITSL) Professional Standards for Teachers which define the work of teachers and make explicit the elements of high quality, effective teaching in 21st century schools.

Charlton Christian College: A Journey 9. Referring to the NSW Institute of Teachers which also has a set of Professional Teaching Standards (for career stages Graduate, Professional Competence, Professional Accomplishment, and Professional Leadership). 10. Including the CSA-developed Christian Distinctives for Professional Standards.

Charlton Christian College: A Journey 11. Hiring staff and Consultants to assist with the task: Focusing, mentoring and measuring 12. Visiting schools, going to conferences to develop understanding and new ideas Communicating and Consulting at all times.

Charlton Christian College: A Journey Incorporating the National School Improvement Tool to ensure a successful way of managing continuing improvement.

Charlton Christian College: A Journey Realising that it is an ongoing process. The journey doesn’t end here. We are all vulnerable, especially small and mid-sized schools.

Charlton Christian College: A Journey Are we there yet?