Developing each child’s spiritual and intellectual gifts.

Dale Christian School is part of a wider movement of Christian schools that actively promote Christ-centred education.  The effect of these schools on Australian education over the past 20 years has been significant, but the greatest benefit to families comes from active involvement in their local Christian school. 

Dale Christian School is an outreach activity of the Armadale Congregational Church Inc. and is affiliated with Christian Schools Australia.  The school is managed on a day to day basis by the Principal, who is responsible to a duly elected Board.  The Board is responsible to the Church. 

SCHOOL HISTORY

Dale Christian School opened in July 1983 in the hall of the old Armadale Congregational Church. There were two classes, totalling 21 children. Right from the beginning parent involvement was a hallmark of the School, and this continues to the present time. 

The School rapidly outgrew the original site and in late 1985 the Church purchased the former drive-in on Forrest Road. 

In 1997, the Armadale Congregational Church applied for association with the Baptist Union of Churches.  This request was granted in November 1997, so enabling our school to link into other Baptist schools in Western Australia. 

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS AUSTRALIA

Dale Christian School began as a member of the Christian Community Schools network of schools.  The first Christian Community School commenced in NSW in 1976 and from this humble start the God-given vision has grown to nearly 90 schools in Australia and 125 schools worldwide.  Bethel Christian School opened in Albany in 1981, the first of 12 schools in Western Australia. 

In 2002 Christian Community Schools changed it's name to Christian Schools Australia and joined a wider network of Christian Schools.  There are over 20,000 students attending CSA schools Australia wide, with new schools opening each year.  This organisation has a professional office based in Sydney with paid Regional Directors.  Professional development for schools and individual staff (conferences and seminars) is available to member schools. 

SOCIETY TODAY

In our society, often both parents work so  education can no longer  be totally  carried out by the parents at home. Therefore, it is important for parents to be sure that those to whom they entrust their children for training should be bringing them up to love the Lord their God with all their strength (referring to the physical and mental side of life), with all their heart (the emotions and the will), and with all their soul (the spiritual side of mankind).

THE AIM OF DALE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Our aim is to continue to develop a Christian School where Christ is honoured in all management, curriculum and teaching practices. We expect students and families to work with us towards our goal of Christ-centred education. Our aim is that every student who attends Dale will leave having heard clearly the claims of Christ on their lives, and having seen the love of God at work in the staff and school community. Love, faith and hope is the motto of the school. Our desire is that students enjoy daily school life.  

THE FUTURE OF THE SCHOOL

The School Board believes that God's grace and love has built Dale Christian School and that He has plans for it in the future.  We have a good resource base within the church,  buildings, staff and our active parents.    We believe that the future of the school is good for our children and that we will see Dale play a more significant role in the local community in future years. In 2002, Dale will commence Lower Secondary (Middle School) Year 7 and 8, progressing to Year 10 in 2004 and finally to Year 12 in 2009. 

ENROLMENT POLICY

Dale Christian School exists to support Christian families in the raising of their children by providing an educational environment that is consistent with the core values and beliefs of a Christian home. The school is for children from homes that share the aims, beliefs and values of the school. The school will also, on a case by case basis, accept enrolments from unchurched families who express a strong commitment to the school's values.  We will not compromise our values and standards to suit a wider clientele. A pastor's reference is an important part of the enrolment process. 

Lodgement of an application form DOES NOT assure enrolment. Enrolment is determined after the completion of a supportive  interview process. The interview has three parts to it. (1) An outline by a Board member of the role of the church and Board in the school, (2) An invitation to the parent to provide information about their spiritual commitment to the school and, (3) A brief summary by the Principal of the Spiritual, Academic and Pastoral care program in the school. Finally there is  a finance meeting with the school Bursar. The School Board makes the final decision about enrolment and at any stage of the interview process enrolment may be denied. 

STATEMENT OF FAITH

Within the school there are a wide range of denominations represented among parents and staff, but all office bearers and staff must be able to confidently adhere to the central beliefs of Christianity. As the school is a ministry of the Armadale Congregational Church, all staff and families must be able to support the church Statement of Faith.

In the interest of harmony within the school, controversial or divisive doctrines or issued shall not be promoted.  Such issues include:

1. Speaking in tongues as a sign of having been filled with the Holy Spirit and

2. Doctrines which are peculiar to a particular denomination.

 THE FAMILY

The school's chief desire is to support the home. This is the nurturing ground for the child and the basis for the family. We endeavour to build on the prayer and Bible teaching foundations taught within the home.

 We set out to provide a good grounding in biblical understanding and to provide opportunities for children to grow up to be like Christ. The School community is a model of love in action. 

SCHOOL STAFF

All of the staff at Dale Christian School are Christians and are actively involved in their local church.  Each staff member is employed because we believe that they are the right person for the job and each brings to the school appropriate skills, gifts and a heart for the ministry.  Some of our staff are involved in professional development programs at post-graduate level with local universities and the National Institute for Christian Tertiary Education. 

All staff , including support staff, are carefully selected through interviews. We believe that staff see their employment not only as a job, but as a ministry to the children. 

GOOD DISCIPLINE

Dale Christian School's behaviour management plan is based around the Biblical principles of right behaviour and attitudes, responsibility for personal actions, co-operations between school and home, restitution, repentance, forgiveness and consequences.  While this is but a thumb-nail sketch, it is important to note that we will always attempt to correct children toward right  behaviour in preference to punishment, but we believe that children must learn that actions have consequences that affect themselves and others. 

On the rare occasions that students or families do not respond to the pastoral care and discipline of the school, and knowingly choose to contradict the school's standards, they are asked to leave for the good of the wider student body. Such action would only be taken after extensive discussion between parents, the Principal and School Board. (A detailed copy of the Discipline policy is available on request.)