In every thing give thanks!

Dear Parents, the end of the year is a time of reflection, looking back on what was and wondering about what could have been. This year, like last year, it is a more poignant process. Our lives have been disrupted by an unseen and unforeseen factor, and a new ‘normal’ has been introduced – one that we hope will go away. However, it seems unlikely. 

It is human nature to stew over things that trouble us, and it is possibly for this reason that our Lord, Jesus Christ, encouraged his disciples not to worry, i.e. “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?” He goes on and says “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” (Matthew 6:27, 34). Although it is important to plan, we must be careful that we do not live in the future or dwell in the past. Rather, it is important to be present in the moment, living a life founded on the timeless principles of His Word, loving “the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” and “thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37, 39). Jesus even encourages His disciples to ask God for “our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11), not tomorrow’s bread. We are called to faithful and faith-filled living.

Gratitude for what God has done

At the end of this school year, I am grateful for every teaching, learning and school activity God has enabled us to do. Do you remember? Year 5-13 camped at Chosen Valley, Year 3-6 learned how to be safe in water, we took part in the ACS Touch Rugby Tournament, Year 3-6 Girls had fun at the Quick Hit Cricket, the staff learned basic First Aid, we were able to have a successful Working Bee to prepare for the 40^th Anniversary celebrations, our students took part in the Chesspower tournaments, some of our class hosted assemblies, we celebrated our 40^th Anniversary with a blessed Fair and Dinner, our students took part in the ACS Soccer Tournament on a rainy day, the older students had lots of fun during the Word 4 Life visit at the end of Term 2, our students showcased their investigations in the annual Science Fair, our students were blessed by the commitment of our teachers during 3 months of remote learning, we returned to school on 17 November – to name just a few highlights of this year. 

Excitement for what God is going to do

My family and I have been blessed to be part of what God has been doing at Tyndale Park Christian School the past five years. It is painful to say goodbye to the wonderful people God has placed in our lives, but we have no doubt that the Lord has called us to serve Him in His Kingdom in Northland. 

More importantly, God has faithfully added members to our school staff to accommodate for the roll growth He has given us the past five years and I firmly believe the Lord has great plans for Tyndale Park Christian School to impact our community, Auckland, New Zealand, and the rest of the world in the future. God has clearly led Mr Patchigalla, our new principal, and Mr Bain, our new business manager, to the school and I cannot wait to see the plans God has in store for Tyndale Park Christian School. Please pray for our Trust Board as they develop a strategic plan that will glorify God and for Mr Patchigalla and the staff who will put this plan into action.

When we do God’s work, the Bible teaches that if we ‘keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD’ our God (1 Chronicles 28:8), we will be able to possess the good land God has given us and it will be an inheritance to our descendants forever. This commitment to the principles in God’s Word has been part of the school’s approach to teaching and learning from its inception, and we will continue to build on the solid foundation that has been laid and established the past 40 years.

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

Barend Blom

Principal

Photo by Simon Maage on Unsplash