Policies & Philosophies

Sunrise Christian School has been established and remains under the Oversight of the Local Church, Adelaide Christian Centre International.

The Declaration of Faith as outlined below is taken from the Charter of the Christian Revival Crusade and the Adelaide Christian Centre International accepts and supports this Declaration of Faith.

Sunrise Christian School is called to:

  • Minister to the body of Christ.
  • Be a light to the nation of Australia, and the nations of the world.
  • Uphold Christian principles.
  • Minister the gospel of Jesus Christ.
  • Teach and train children in all aspects of life in such a way that God is seen to be at the centre of everything.
  • Be an extension of the Christian home, fulfilling the God-given mandate for parents to bring up their children in His ways.

Sunrise Christian School believes that:

  • The Holy Scriptures are the inspired word of God.  As such, they are infallible.  They alone constitute the sole and absolute authority in all matters pertaining to Christian faith and practice.  Whatever is not contained therein is not to be declared as an article of faith.
  • There is one God, perfect and Holy, existing eternally in the Three Persons of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
  • God created man in His own image and likeness by a specific act of creation.  Man, however, fell by a voluntary act of sin and is consequently separated from God, or restored through salvation available in the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • The devil is a fallen angel, who by his influence brought about the fall of man.  Every believer has access to absolute authority in Jesus Christ over all the power of the devil.
  • Salvation is solely by grace and is received through genuine repentance towards God, and wholehearted trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Believer’s baptism by immersion in water is an integral part of Christian initiation.
  • The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is for all believers.  It is accompanied by speaking in other tongues.
  • The Lord’s Supper is a special time when believers take the bread and wine (symbolising the body and blood of Jesus) and in so doing remember Christ’s death and resurrection, until He returns.
  • The gifts of the Holy Spirit are supernatural gifts given to edify and equip the body of Christ.
  • The fruits of the Spirit are the natural result of the life of the Spirit in the believer.
  • Divine healing and deliverance are available to all through faith in the redemptive death and victorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Much has been written about Christian Education.  This is not another treatise, but an attempt to succinctly state relevant Christian philosophy which flows through to policies we have adopted.  Footnotes are in the form of scripture references and explanatory statements and examples.

Naturally, as the school develops and continues to function, new policies will be developed and old ones refined.  This list is not intended to be complete, but a statement of basic principles of our school.

SUNRISE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

About Life and Education


1.    STATEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY
The primary object of life and education is to know God. 
(See 3.2, 10.2)
This is central to our concept of education.
The fear of the Lord is in essence an appreciation of God, His person and character in relation to us and who we are.
The school’s motto is “Wisdom and Understanding”.
Some Scriptures: Job 12 v13, Job 28 v 20 - 28, Proverbs 9 v 10, John 17 v 3, Philippians 3 v 7 - 11.

SCHOOL AIMS
    That the students may grow in the knowledge and understanding of the person and character of God, leading to a life of service.

SCHOOL PRACTICE
    All areas of study are aimed at revealing the person and character of God.
EG. Science reveals God as creator, His orderliness, His greatness, His love etc.  In Social Studies, if a unit on food is being taught, the emphasis in not man’s needs but God’s provision.

2.    STATEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY

Personal commitment and submission to Jesus Christ is a basic step in the educational process.
   
All authority ultimately is God’s
Some scriptures:  John 3, John 1 v 4 & 12, Romans 10 v 9 & 10, Proverbs 3 v 5 & 6, Romans 13 v 1 – 7, Romans 6 v 13, James 4 v 7, 1 Corinthians 16 v 13 & 14, Ephesians 5 v 21, Hebrews 13 v 17, 1 Peter 5 v 5.

SCHOOL AIMS
The school aims that the students commit their lives wholly to Jesus Christ.  Students understand the concept that an authority is in place for protection and guidance.

SCHOOL PRACTICE
Personal trust in and obedience to God is encouraged by:
  • Fostering a similar response to earthly authority, that is to parents, teachers, civil authority, and church leaders.
  • Teachers demonstrating it by their example of trust in the obedience to God’s Word and Spirit.
  • Directing students to commit their way to the Lord.
  • Opportunity is often given for children to express their commitment to Jesus in word and in corresponding action
3.    STATEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY

We are created by God in His image and recreated to grow into His image. (See 11.2)
Some scriptures: Genesis 1 v 26 & 27, Ephesians 2 v10, Corinthians 3 v 18, Colossians 3 v10 & 12 & 14, 1 Corinthians 15 v 33 and many more.

SCHOOL AIMS    
The school aims that the students may develop the character of God in both attitude and practice and so reflect Him to the world.

SCHOOL PRACTICE
The teachers regularly teach Christian character traits and consistently monitor the practice of them.  Reporting includes the assessment of character development. 
Scriptures related to these character traits are presented for memorisation, used in administering discipline, and referred to frequently during the school day.  They are illustrated by modern-day stories and staff example.

4.    STATEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY

Humans are made to develop wholly: Spirit, Soul and Body.

SCHOOL AIMS
The school aims that the students develop in their relationship to God, mental and emotional abilities, physical strength and skills and co-ordinate them all under the Holy Spirit’s direction.
Training children in Godly character is the focus of the curriculum.  Once established, God’s excellence can be reflected in all other areas.

SCHOOL PRACTICE
The curriculum is broad including the devotional, academic, social and physical.  Students are encouraged to achieve their best in all areas in order to fulfil their potential in God’s Kingdom. 
Curriculum development is an ongoing project of the school.

5.    STATEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY

Human development and education is a life-long process in the purposes of God…
Some Scriptures:  Hebrews 12 v 11, 2 Corinthians 3 v 18, Philippians 3 v 12 – 15, Proverbs 9 v 9.

SCHOOL AIMS
That the students develop the attitudes and skills to be effective communicators motivated learners and influential leaders.

SCHOOL PRACTICE
Students are encouraged to achieve academic, physical, social and spiritual goals.
Goal setting can only be short term for younger students but longer term goals can be progressively pursued. 

6.    STATEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY

Each individual is responsible to God for the choice of actions they make in the light of their knowledge and ability to act.
Some scriptures: Romans 2 v 1-11, 2 Corinthians 5 v 10, Hebrews 2 v1-3, Hebrews 9 v 27, Hebrews 12 v 25, Proverbs 22 v 15, and others.

SCHOOL AIMS
The school aims that each student develops an appreciation of their accountability to God for their decisions and their productivity for God.

SCHOOL PRACTICE
Regular evaluation of both staff and student achievement is made.  Both success and failure are possible outcomes of the student’s work.
Reporting considers both the minimum standard of achievement for that grade level, and the effort made by the student.
Discipline of students is conducted on the Biblical basis of: teaching, reproving, correcting, and instructing.  The student is reminded of his accountability for his actions in order to train an attitude of self control and obedience.

7.    STATEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY

It is God’s purpose to give and increase our freedom of choice as we submit to His will.  (See 7.2, 10.2).
Some Scriptures:  John 8 v 32, Romans 8 v 2 & 21, 2 Corinthians 3 v17, Galatians 5 v 13, 1 Peter 2 v16.

SCHOOL AIMS
The school aims that students develop in responsibility; so that commensurate freedom to make individual choices may be given

SCHOOL PRACTICE
Students are given opportunity to exercise responsibility but are not given the burden of added responsibility before they are ready to cope with it.
The students are taught that their actions and reactions are not uncontrollable but are choices that they make.  As they develop habits of right choices they are entrusted with greater freedom

ABOUT AGENCIES OF EDUCATION

8.    STATEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY

Parents are an extension of God’s Fatherhood into children’s lives and so are responsible for their own children’s education.
Reference scriptures:  Genesis 18 v 19, Deut. 6 v 6 - 9, Deuteronomy 11 v 18 - 21, 2 Timothy 1 v 5, 2 Timothy 3 v15, Ephesians 6 v 4.
Parents are therefore agents of God the Father, with a great responsibility.  A child’s concept of God the Father will be shaped by the character and action of his earthly father.
The school’s mandate to teach is not directly from the Bible, but delegated by parents.  The school can help parents fulfil their responsibility of bringing up the child, but is not to accept the full responsibility of the child’s education.  The Christian school can provide expertise to help fulfil the parent’s goals and to complement the parent’s efforts.
The aim of this school is to enhance parental training.  This can only properly occur if ample communication from parent to school is maintained.
SCHOOL AIMS
The students develop according to the desires of their parents. 
The school to act as an extension of the home

SCHOOL PRACTICE
The Principal interviews parents of prospective students.
At this interview the objects of the school are explained and the parental responsibility and involvement that Christian education implies is spelled out to the parents.
Teachers foster communication with both parents early in the time they are teaching a student so that parental expectations can be known by the teacher and so that frank communication about any matter may promptly proceed.  Parent interviews immediately follow the issuing of reports at the end of the appropriate terms

9.    STATEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY

The Holy Spirit is the ultimate agency in teaching (See 2.4, 2.10).
Reference scriptures: John 14 v 26, John 16 v 13, 1 John 2 v 20 & 27, 1 Corinthians 2 v 9 - 11, Romans 8.
The disciplining of the children to respond to the leadership, teaching and guidance of the Holy Spirit complements the foundations laid by parents and Church.  God speaks to us through His Word and by His Spirit.  Being led by the Spirit to do the Will of the Father is the ultimate Christian action in this life.
 
SCHOOL AIMS
The school aims that the students develop the character and habits enabling them to be led by the Spirit.

SCHOOL PRACTICE
Worship and prayer are practised regularly by staff and students. 
It is made clear to students that the Bible is the basis of our teaching discipline, authority y and action.

The practice of relating to God in prayer and worship is encouraged, not as an adjunct to the day’s education but as an integral part of the whole educational programme.  Staff will pray together and will pray with students corporately and individually. 

ABOUT THE VOCATIONAL END POINT OF EDUCATION

10.    STATEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY

God made each person unique with a unique calling in this world.
Reference scriptures: Psalm 139, Philippians 2 v 3 & 4, Romans 12 V 3 - 8, 1 Corinthians 12 v 12 - 27.
An appreciation of one’s unique value to God will stand a child in good stead in the face of inferiority experienced, especially during teenage years.
Because each child has a biological time clock set in him by God, he is different from each other child in his rate of development as well as in his God-given temperament and abilities.  For this reason, teaching children “en bloc” and expecting uniform progress of a class “en bloc” is not feasible or desirable for them.
On the other hand a programme based solely on individual progression tends to develop self-centredness rather than cooperation, encouragement of one another, and thankfulness.
A careful balance is our aim at this school.

SCHOOL AIMS
The school aims that students appreciate and develop into the unique potential that God has given them. 
The school aims that students develop an appreciation of others unique potential and so allow them to excel in their calling.
The school aims that students develop an appreciation that their unique abilities can complement one another.

SCHOOL PRACTICE
The school aim is to keep the students staff ratio to below 27 to 1.
Students are encouraged to appreciate and serve one another.
Activities involving teamwork and striving together as a group, class or school to achieve a goal are practised.
The practice of teamwork will sometimes involve competition which we gage as a valuable experience if monitored properly.  If we allow students to experience working under pressure, it teaches them to react correctly and graciously to winning and to persevere and endure with losing.  It also gives students an appreciation that each of us has an area in which we are able to excel.

11.    STATEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY
We are called to be ‘ambassadors’ of God in this world.
Some Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 5 v 17 - 20, Philippians 3 v12 - 20, 2 v 15, Matthew 5 v 14, John 12 v 31 & 16 v11 & 14 v 30, 2 Corinthians  4 v 4, 1 John 5 v14, Colossians  2 v 8, Philippians 4 v 8, Proverbs 14 v 27.
Children need not only be protected from the ‘world’ but also prepared for it.  Decision making in battle requires an understanding of one’s own resources and abilities.  The practice of resisting temptation, for example, will begin in preschool years.  Training in resisting temptation of increasing subtlety and sophistication is part of Christian Education.
 
SCHOOL AIMS
The school aims that the students develop a Biblical-Christian understanding of the world and an ability to influence it effectively for God according to His calling.
That the students discern the sources of worldly influences and learn to resist them.

SCHOOL PRACTICE
Scientific, social, geographical and historical phenomena are presented from the Biblical Christian point of view.  The careful stewardship of the environment is encouraged.
Non-Christian attitudes, beliefs and practices are exposed for what they are, but only after the equivalent Christian view is understood and students then have the ability to critically evaluate them with staff direction. 

12.    STATEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY
To fulfil our calling we must be able to effectively relate and communicate with God and others.
Reference scriptures: Matthew 5 v 14 - 16, 2 Timothy 2 v 15, Titus 2 v 7-8, Ephesians 4 v 29, Colossians 4 v 5 – 6.
Discipleship is learned in an environment with God-ordered, purposeful discipline.

SCHOOL AIMS
That the students develop the attitudes and skills to be effective communicators in order to:
  • Go into all the world and preach the good news
  • Be leaders of people
SCHOOL PRACTICE
The school holds as a high priority the development of basic skills of reading, written expression, oral expression, computation and problem solving.
Social skills are developed through both specific instruction and practice of etiquette (including dress), and the opportunity of fostering personal interaction in the school (e.g. debating, team/group activities, buying/selling).
We also realise that academics are not the only areas where development of communication skills are necessary.  We see that attitude of respect, love; orderliness and thankfulness must be expressed.  We therefore specifically instruct in this area and allow and monitor the practice of it.  Training in etiquette includes speech and dress (see uniform policy).  We understand that the non-verbal communication of believers is usually more effective in reaching the unsaved than arguments (see Colossians 4 v 5 & 6)