Last night was a significant night in the life of our school, members of our school community, both past and present, gathered to give thanks and celebrate 40 years of William Carey Christian School. This evening was one that we have been looking forward to and planning for quite some time. It was such a joy to join with past and present staff, alumni, current families, former students, parents & carers, community members.
Schools are living and breathing communities, run on 10,000 conversations a day and therefore it was so valuable to join with the people who have invested their lives in the mission and vision of our school and continue to do so. In attendance were past Presidents Mr Ted Penny, Mr George Lytton, Mr Kerry Renkema and Mr Wladysuik as well as past and present Board members. Our current School Association President Mr Phil Harman sent his apologies as he is currently out of state. We were privileged to be joined by our past principals Mr Warwick Wilkie and Mr Ian Wake and Mrs Dawn Smith our founding teacher. Mrs Anne Stanley Federal Member for the seat of Werriwa also joined us for the evening.
The Bible shows that God makes and keeps his promises across generations, and this was particularly evident last night. So many in attendance have multiple connections and roles in the school’s history and community. Some of our current students who participated in the evening are the children of past students who are now staff and even grandchildren of staff. William Carey’s vision and mission holds a great deal of importance to so many.
Along with times of student performances, singing, prayer and catching up over a delicious supper, we heard through videos, the reflections of our founders, early staff, students, staff and parents. Our school site, which enjoys such pleasant grounds and great facilities looks so different to when classes first started. The grounds were a mixture of an overgrown market garden and chicken farms. Nothing like a school, let alone what we enjoy today. I want to acknowledge the vision, bravery and conviction of these people whose hard work and commitment, blesses us today.
The program was planned so that the focus was not primarily on the dreams, plans and efforts of people. While we recognised the commitment of so many people, it was clear that William Carey Christian School came into being and continues to exist because of God’s goodness and grace, his provision of people who were and are committed to Christian education – the staff, parents and community members who have made the vision and mission of this School a reality. Providing choice for families, to partner with a school providing authentic Christ centred education, a school that seeks to glorify God through serving our immediate community, and communities beyond the school fence both near and far.
Mr Glen Connor, Head of Biblical Studies spoke on scripture in Colossians chapter 3:23-24, reminding us that often people work hard to impress people (sometimes to please them or because we fear them), or we work hard for our own benefit. However, the Bible provides the reminder to work hard for the glory of God in the name of Jesus Christ. Work for this reason is good and everlasting. This is the heart and motivation of those who have held to the vision and mission of our founders over the past 40 years and into the future.
Therefore, we give thanks for William Carey Christian School’s 40 year history, we celebrate and give thanks that ‘our history is His story’.
God bless,
Keith McMullen
Principal
“Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.”
Colossians 3:23-24
