Blogs

As the Principal of Brisbane Adventist College, I am often asked to explain the difference between state schools and private schools, the difference between public schools and independent schools, the difference between private schools and religious schools... and what that means for your child's education. Independent schools, like BAC, are exactly that - independent of many aspects of their state's public school system. This means we are responsible for designing and delivering our own…

One of my favourite childhood memories was when, out of the blue, Dad would be driving and say to us: “Looks like we have a bit of extra time. Why don’t we go on a shortcut?” Mum would groan and go: “No, no, no!” My sister and I would yell: “Yes, yes, yes!” We’d often end up on narrow tracks and creek crossings. Once or twice, we got stuck. Of course, Dad’s ‘shortcuts’ were fun, but they were not short even though we loved these adventures. Why am I telling you this? Because as parents and…

The end-of-year break is just around the corner! Students will holiday at home, with family or maybe even somewhere exotic for the next six weeks. When I wander around chatting to them at this time of year, I often hear the following kind of sentiment: “I can't wait to sleep late, stay up late, and 'chillax' with gaming and social media.” Parents who have the best intentions can allow bad habits to form. They believe their child deserves this holiday (and they do) and that they should spend…

Addressing College graduates can be a daunting proposition but also a great privilege. You pray you will say the right thing - the best thing. You wish you could prepare them for every eventuality but you know you cannot. You must trust that the values they've acquired in their childhood will guide them through their adulthood. If you've journeyed with them over the years of their schooling, you'll know them well. Snippets of conversations cross your mind as you glance from face to face and…

Family mealtimes do more than simply nourish the body. They also feed the emotional health of individuals, and part of the reason for this is that they draw families together. Sitting down at a table together is a long-lost tradition for many, but the benefits are as substantial as ever. When informal opportunities like this for bonding mount up, your children grow up healthier and develop strong bonds with you and each other. Eight benefits of family mealtimes A handy 'temperature check':…

Exuberant and joyful, a tapping-on-the-heartstrings spectacle: such was the impact of Brisbane Adventist College's Primary production of The Prodigal Clown. This story of a father's unconditional love (Aquinnon Sanele) for his two sons and his extended circus family was heart-warming, filled with fun, dad jokes, hilarious clowns, an over-eager knife thrower (Lucy Cantrill), a hard-working but implacable older son (Arlo Purtell), and a clown with a smile that was only painted on. Daring deeds…

When we speak of learning at Brisbane Adventist College, we allude to two factors: influence and growth. We not only address a child’s ability to process cognitively, and problem-solve, but also devote our efforts to character development; particularly around our values of integrity and respect, the basis of strong relationships for which God created us. When relationships are strong, students feel safe, they operate in joy, and where there is joy, there is belonging. "A child’s future…

Most of us wonder how our children will go when they leave the nurturing environment of home and head to school for the very first time. Most of us feel a version of this every time our kids begin a new school year, every time we move to a new place and they have to change schools, every time they experience a big transition like from Prep to 'big school,' from Year 6 to Year 7, from junior Secondary to the senior phase of learning. At school, our child is just one of 25 in their classroom…

Reflection by Anna Haycock, Year 11 I was in Grade 4 when I first heard the story of Nick Vujicic. I remember how his message about his life and his love and faith in God really inspired me, and how his differences and the challenges he faced growing up helped shape him into the man that he is today. On the last day of Week of Worship, Nick came to BAC as a guest speaker. Of course, I was very eager to hear what he had to say — and I was not disappointed. Nick’s focal statement was that "God…