Newsletter 20 Nov 2006

A big thankyou to the PTA and all those parents who turned up to this Autumn’s fundraising Auction. This year the Auction raised £465. Some of the money, as usual will go to Project Romania. A proportion will be used to enhance provision in the school (more in the next newsletter).

Young Teachers

This past week (Thursday to Saturday) saw the school hosting a Young Teachers Conference on behalf of CST. Teachers from Manchester and Derby joined with three or four of our own teachers for a varied programme assisting their professional development. Graham Coyle, CST Team Leader also joined us for the weekend to help develop young colleagues in their tasks as teachers and as potential leaders in our Christian Schools.

Good News on Student Numbers

We are pleased to be able to share that we have been able to welcome 11 new students into the school since the start of the term with a 12th to join us in January. We are much encouraged to see new families join us, not only balancing budgets but for the opportunity to work with new families and their children. Lauren Stringwell, now in Year 10 joined us 6 months ago; I hope you will enjoy reading her testimony further on in the newsletter.

‘How to’ Workshops

We have analysed parents returns and requests for the ‘How to’ workshops. As a result, we would like to put on the following workshops:

Wednesday January 24th, a choice of 3 workshops 7.30-8.45pm

1. Equipping your child to succeed 2. Supporting my child at GCSE 3. Developing Early Reading Skills

Saturday 3rd March, a choice of 3 workshops 10.00-11.15am

1. Understanding my child’s learning style 2. Understanding how Worldview shapes my families thinking 3. Developing your child’s early Maths skills

These workshops will also be made available to members of churches through contacts we have developed as a school. More information in the New Year….meanwhile….make dates in your diary if you are interested in what we are offering.

Please note that for those parents who were interested in ‘How to…manage your finances’ John Kirkby, International Director of Christians Against Poverty is facilitating the following course:

‘Managing your finances’ Jan 16th/23rd/Feb 1st 7.30 – 9.30pm@Abundant Life Church, Wapping Road

Primary Department

Deco’ Day – Thursday 30th November We hope to decorate the hall and begin the Christmas season with a flourish, hence a “Deco’ Day’. Children can come into school in non-uniform and will be making a range of decorations for the school. During the afternoon we hope to be putting these up around the hall. Please don’t send your child in their best clothes as some decorations may be messy! If any parents would like to pop in and help then please see Mr Barton.

Homework

There are a number of children that do not complete homework tasks as requested by teachers. Would parents please help to ensure children are completing these at home. Children will be required to stay in school at break times for incomplete work at certain times.

Milk money

 Please make payments to the office before Friday 15th Dec.

Applications to join in September 2007

We are now beginning the application process. If you have a child wanting to join in September, please ensure that you have completed an application form and handed into the office. Also if you have friends and family who are interested, please encourage them to ask for a Prospectus and send in application forms if they have not already done so.

Testimony

Lauren S joined us in the Summer Term 2006. Six months on, we are thrilled to hear her testimony of God working in her life through the school.

Dear Mr Moon and Mrs Marsden,

Moving to Bradford Christian School is one of the best things that I have ever done in my life! When I moved here I had extremely low self esteem and confidence in myself especially when it came to subjects which I struggled tremendously in.

Over these summer holidays I have had that encounter with God that was spoken about by yourselves in assembly. When I moved to Bradford Christian School I sincerely had no confidence in what we had done in a couple of subjects and in the basics I already ‘knew’. I was full of fear and I had set my mind to thinking I knew nothing and I was good for nothing as this is what was being said to me by friends and sometimes the way a few teachers acted around me. This made me believe I was hopeless in French and Maths and unfortunately I let this affect me when I moved here.

A Christian song I had listened to told me as a message from God that I can succeed in these two subjects if I just rely on Him and ignore what others say or think about me. I have cried and reflected about this for ages as I feel I have let myself down completely and you teachers as I gave you no time to help me before I had it straight in my mind that I was ‘thick’ and might as well give up before I waste anyone’s time.

By feeling this emotion and passion in me I prayed about it deeply and I asked for wisdom and comfort and help to have the ability to learn French and get better with my Maths. Since I had been praying I have been talking with some of my friends who are very good at languages and Maths. They have helped me get back on track as best I can at the moment and they are prepared to help me along the way. I feel now that if I had the opportunity to do French I CAN DO IT (Phil 4v13). I am determined to do it, not just for me but to prove to all those who doubted in me that I can and believe in my heart that I can and I can do well if only I trust in God and God alone!

I really want to be discipled by the school and now I can see that it was foolish to let fear get in the way as I was letting the devil take over my life by putting fear at every angle. Now I am more confident in both subjects as I have been revising and talking with friends. I strongly believe that it is thanks to God for helping me get out of the pit I was digging for myself and for giving me the strength to carry on and do better than I have ever done before!

Lauren S Year 10