GO PURPLE" was our motto on Wednesday October 19th!  Staff and students of Woodstock Christian school joined Oxford County CAS in encouraging our community to speak up and protect the children of our community. 

For more information:

http://www.oacas.org/childrens-aid-child-protection/child-abuse-prevention/go-purple-day-campaign/

Last week, our third grade students went to the Arboretum for a field study of trees. This week, our seventh and eighth grade students will be involved in a reforesting project - planting trees at the edge of the city of Woodstock. This is a great month for noticing trees.

There is a gorgeous tree in my back yard which is of the species Acer rubrum "October Glory" which the website (http://homeguides.sfgate.com) says is “commonly known as red maple, is a medium- to fast-growing vibrantly coloured tree with a round or oval crown of dense glossy foliage. The "October Glory" cultivar can survive in several climates…”

I love the name of this tree as it just rolls off of my tongue. October glory. You must say it out loud to appreciate it. Really though, the creator of October glory, the tree, and October glory in general, is our great Creator God. As you spend time outdoors this month - walking, hiking, raking, working, playing, doing chores – give praise to the God of October glory. He is revealed in the cool breezes, the vibrant colours, the crunch of leaves underfoot, the earthy scents, the joy of play, the productivity of work. He is over all, through all and in all. God is Greater! 

Friday's Professional Development Last Friday the WCS teachers travelled to John Knox Christian School in Oakville and listened to Marian Small. She is a Canadian educational researcher, academic, author, and public speaker. Her workshop was entitled "Effective Math Instruction". We heard about what a positive classroom environment for math instruction should look like. We learned about what math to focus on, the importance of critical thinking in math, and differentiated instruction. We practised math, played games, used lots of math manipulatives, collaborated and stretched our minds. It was great to share ideas and have some of our questions answered. As WCS teachers we are always eager to partner with other educators as we strive to create the best learning opportunities for our students. Mrs. J. Hickey

After learning all about maps we needed to use our mapping skills to travel to "Let's Eat Cake" using the city bus. We went on a landmark hunt as we travelled through downtown Woodstock. A huge thanks to the bus drivers we met and the crew at Let's Eat Cake.

What a blessing to attend the Christian Schools Canada Leadership Conference in Alberta a few weeks ago! The conference setting was amazing, in the heart of the Rockies with amazing beauty in every direction. The keynote speaker was Andy Crouch, formerly a chaplain at Harvard University, editor of Christianity Today, and author of several books - including his most recent, Strong and Weak and Playing God. If you ever have the opportunity to listen to Mr. Crouch speak, go! He is gifted with wisdom, humility, understanding of culture, our time, and our role as Christians and image bearers of God. Being with hundreds of Christian educators and administrators reinforced my understanding that Woodstock Christian School is just one part of the larger picture of Christian Education in this nation and on this continent. God is at work among us and is doing great things. God is indeed Greater - he surrounds us with his goodness and greatness. Psalm 125:2 "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore."

                            C.Verbeek

This week, Wednesday, the students from grades 3 through 8 will participate in the Terry Fox Run. God has blessed our children with strong bodies and good health. Cancer is a disease that touches the lives of most of us! I thank God for the great health that our school body has! I also thank God for the many opportunities that we have here at Woodstock Christian School to help our community. I pray that God will work through us and our fundraising this week, to touch many peoples lives.

                            

 

N. VanAndel

One of the key words in the tag line for Woodstock Christian School is ‘COMMUNITY’. Dictionary definitions for community range from a very generic definition - a group of people living together in one place to a more holistic one - a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. Even this one, though, does not capture what it means to be Christian community, to be united in Christ. Our theme at Woodstock Christian School this year comes from Ephesians 4, and the entire chapter is titled Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ. The apostle Paul says “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (vs 1-3).” I saw many examples of community at work last week. Buddy classes began and as older and younger students joined together, reading to one another, playing outdoor games together, enjoying conversations, there was a real sense of community. Students in the playground were looking out for one another, helping a fallen friend, getting an ice pack for someone with a bumped head, and playing tag or soccer together. Parents waiting for their children in the foyer after school exchanged greetings, arranged play dates, and generally caught up after the summer break. During the Welcome Evening and Dessert Social on Friday evening, the school was buzzing with conversation, laughter, and enjoyment. Such a blessing to be together! On the flip side, because we are part of a sinful and broken world, there were also instances of disunity, wilfulness, and selfishness. Proverbs 6:16-19 speaks shockingly directly about “six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him – one of which is a person who stirs up conflict in the community. As we head into week three of our school year, continue to pray for unity and peace for our classrooms, our playground, and our larger school community.

At Woodstock Christian School, we are blessed with a true privilege.

                    Prayer - communication with our God.  

Prayer times are intentionally scheduled at WCS: daily opening devotions, Monday morning staff devotions, Prayer Group, before lunch, and at the opening and closing of meetings.   Students study Jesus’ example of prayer and the history of prayer during Bible classes.  However, those are not the only times you will find prayer happening at our school.  Prayers are said silently and aloud throughout the day - because we know our Father hears us at all times.  He sees and hears a parent watching their child(ren) go onto the bus or into school doors, praying with open eyes for a good day.  He hears the bus drivers praying as they start their engines in the early mornings, for safe travels and working buses.  He hears the student praying for courage or energy as they enter the school or before a test.  He hears the staff pray for each child, that they may reach each one the best they can.  God also hears YOU! Please join us as we all pray for Woodstock Christian School and its students, staff, facility, and community around it.    Pray without ceasing, to our God who is greater!  He is overall, through all, and in all!

Welcome to a brand new year at Woodstock Christian School. Yesterday the school was quiet and shiny and tidy, but too quiet – poised and waiting for our children to return. Today it is bustling with activity. The vitality is back and we praise God for new beginnings! For those of you new to the school, we are so glad you have joined us. For those who are back to school, we are glad to see you again. We look forward to partnering with all of you to help educate your child in a school where God is acknowledged as Creator and sustainer, Jesus is our Lord and Saviour, and the Holy Spirit is our guide. Our goal is that your child will develop in faith, in learning, and understand what it means to be a part of the Christian community. Banners, bulletin boards, and Bible stories throughout the school declare GOD IS GREATER: He is over all, through all, and in all (Ephesians 4:6).  We will explore this theme together this year – united in our love for God and in his love for us. Welcome!

Welcome back!

Looking for a New Career? Become a Bus Driver!

If you are looking for meaningful work, if you love children and driving, if you are looking for a place to be a positive role model, then this is for YOU!

As a bus driver at WCS, you are the first and last person in a student’s school day.  You are important to parents as they place their children in your care for the ride to and from school. Children trust you, looking to you for a safe, happy ride. Teachers entrust their students to your care. Bus patrol students work alongside you to ensure the students follow bus rules and etiquette, and that they are engaged in safe activities while riding the bus.  God wraps His loving, protective arms around you and on the steering wheel as you drive His precious children to and from school. What an opportunity to bless the community and be blessed yourself!

If you want to consider becoming a part of the WCS team of bus drivers, contact the school at 519-539-1492 or email principal@woodstockchristianschool.ca . We provide training and help you through the steps in becoming licensed. We have openings for spare bus drivers now which may lead to a regular position in the future.

"Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story - those he redeemed from the hand of the foe"  Psalm 107:2

As we look back upon our school year, we find evidence of our story as God's people in many circumstances. Students deepened their knowledge and understanding of who they are as God's redeemed people through learning from a biblical worldview. Water studies and battery recycling taught students to honour the gift creation. (Gen 1) Fellowship in chapels, the performance of Anne of Green Gables and buddy classes taught students to honour community. (Hebrews 10:24-25) Devotion time and bible class taught students God's nature and how to live in obedience to Him. (Exodus 18:20 and 2 John 1:6) We felt our membership as God's people through another year of the WCS community  nurturing, volunteering and supporting us through prayer and finances. We lived our story in the Woodstock community through our participation in, acts of service, field trips, and community events.

As we end this school year we rest. We turn to God in anticipation for Him to reveal His will for our WCS community in the 2016-17 school year. 1Thessalonians 5:17 reminds us to "pray continually". Deuteronomy 7:9 states "Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments."

And so our story continues.

Mrs. Lesa Racicot