Celebrating 70 years of the Association for Christian Education of Dandenong

CELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OF DANDENONG

70 YEARS

1954-2024

MARANATHA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

YEARS

My utmost for His glory 1954-2024

MARANATHA’S EMBLEM

The Cross – being significantly located in the centre of the emblem, symbolising the education provided at Maranatha as being truly Christ-centred.

The Open Bible – is Maranatha’s source of guidance as the manifestation of the Word of God. It signifies the School’s frame of reference and the constant relevance of the Word of God in Maranatha’s curriculum.

The Rays – are the representation of the Light and Love of God prevailing throughout the earth. “In His light we see the light” (Psalm 36:9)

My Utmost for His Glory – The School’s Motto

EST. 1970 – The year the School was established

Maranatha’s Motto:

“My Utmost for His Glory” was chosen at the same time and incorporated into the emblem. These words were inspired by an article published in the September 1968 issue of “Home and Journal”, referring to the book “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers.

FOREWORD

This book acknowledges the many faithful servants God has used to start and build Maranatha Christian School. The pages highlight the incredible dedication of the Dutch migrants. Our pioneers began meeting back in 1954 and were responsible for the school opening in 1970. Over the last 70 years there have been many who have given their utmost for His glory.

It is important for us to recognise the exceptional staff that have inspired generations of young people. Volunteers have also been a huge part of our history. They have served the school on the board, parent groups and in many other roles.

Our great joy has been the countless students who have walked our halls and gone on to change their world for Christ. It is vital we tell these stories. They honour those who have gone before. As you read, you will notice the passion of our pioneers and their heart that following generations will stay true to the vision of the school.

My prayer is that God will use these stories of perseverance, passion and philanthropy to inspire our new pioneers to continue His work at Maranatha Christian School. I am grateful to our authors who have told stories in this book. Their love of the school and their Lord is inspiring.

Special thanks go to Michelle Forrest and Alexandra Cascone who dedicated themselves to capturing our stories both on these pages and on film. They began this project before COVID-19. We are grateful they were able to receive some stories before the authors passed away. Their heart, hard work and gifts have produced a vital record of the last 70 years.

‘I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers’

Ephesians 1:16

Bill Jackson

PRESIDENTS / BOARD CHAIRS OF MARANATHA

Presidents / Board Chairs of Maranatha

Mr A Prins

1958 - 1959

Mr T Dam 1959 - 1960

Mr J Bos 1960 - 1962

Mr Pinkster 1962 - 1964

Mr van Niekerk

Mr Bongers

Mr A Smit

Mr Henk Knol

Mr Len Abee

Mr Harold Dykstra

Mr Arnold Visser

Mrs Aafke Span

1964 - 1966

1967 - 1968

1968 - 1975

1975 - 1980

1980 - 1982

1983 - 1991

1991 - 1992

1992 - 1997

Mr David Ellis 1997 - 2004

Mr Brian Da Costa 2004 - 2008

Mr Mark Gould 2008 - 2011

Mr John Kruize

Mr Neil Morgan

Mrs Tanya Fletcher

Mr Jeffrey Moodley

Mr Damian Wong

2011 - 2015

2015 - 2016

2016 - 2021

2021 - 2024

2024 -

First Meeting was held on 4th March 1958

President Mr A Prins

Vice President Mr T Dam

Secretary D Vlak

Treasurer R Visser

17th Feb 1960 Meeting. ‘At the meeting in March 1960, the President and Vice President will resign from their positions and ‘we will start the campaign under the Australians now and the people of different churches’.

Board Composition During 2024:

Mr Jeffrey Moodley

Mr Andrew Snook

Mr Damian Wong

Mr Keith Townend

Mr Lindsay Buck

Mrs Fiona Vandenberg

Mr Jeremy Bergstrom

Mr Bill Jackson - Principal

Mr Rob Sanderson - Business Manager

Mrs Suzanne McDonald - Company Secretary

PRINCIPALS OF MARANATHA

2016 - Current

Mr Bill Jackson

2014 - 2016

Dr Roderick Crouch

2007 - 2013

2004 - 2007

When we think about the history of Maranatha Christian School, it is worth remembering that it was founded by a group of people (called the pioneers) as an act of service to God. They chose a motto to reflect how they believed all in the school community should serve... my utmost for His glory.

Our Christ centred curriculum is our point of difference for parents as it means that when we teach, we help children to become Christian thinkers, and so culture shapers in our diverse society. We need more Christian leaders. A Christ-centred curriculum means encouraging children to give their best back to God.

Our Christ centred curriculum and Christian attitude conveyed to our students through the teachings of a dedicated staff creates what we call the Maranatha difference. It is only when Christ is central to our lives that we can do my utmost for His glory.

We are unashamedly a Jesus centred community, committed to serving Him, helping our students discern his plan for them and together, do our utmost for His glory. We have a special relationship with our parents, many of whom have chosen Maranatha for, in many cases, the entire primary and secondary learning journey of their children.

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight’.

Proverbs 3:5-6

‘Be still, and know that I am God’

Psalm 46:10

‘God is faithful and we are well able to overcome...’

Numbers 13:30

‘For by Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together’.

Colossians 1:16-17

Mr Vernon Clark

Mr Andrew McKenzie

1982 - 2003

Mr Bert Langerak

1981 - 1982

Ms Glenda Mattingley

1970 - 1980

Mr Bob Van Veen

Life is often described as being a journey. A journey has a purpose. That purpose is its destination. There is joy in the journey as well as in arriving at our destination. There are many distractions in life that may capture our interests if we allow them. At times we become so enchanted by them that we lose sight of the purpose of our journey. We forget that we are going to Him.

‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done’.

Luke 22:42

When I was handed the unexpected privilege of being appointed acting Principal I could have been overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. Instead I clung to God’s empowering Spirit and the guidance and encouragement of my colleagues, parents and board members. The outcome was a warm, caring, teaching and learning environment, where we all aspired to do “Our Utmost for His Glory”.

‘For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind’.

2 Timothy 1:7

Although some folk think that Maranatha Christian School began in 1970 when the doors of the Doveton campus opened for the first time, there is much, much more history of our school. The Maranatha pioneers’ vision commenced sometime in the 1950s. The bricks and mortar were the result of prayer, planning and physical effort before that vision became a reality.

Mother Teresa, one of the most remarkable and selfless people in my lifetime once said, “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

‘Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own’.

Matthew 6:34

BOB VAN VEEN

The birth of Maranatha in 1970 had already begun with ‘birth pains’ during August and September of 1969 when the Board’s secretary visited us twice in Trafalgar South, where I taught. He came to entice us to start this new Christian school in Doveton. I say ‘entice’ because we really enjoyed our stay in country Victoria and knew there were other Christian teachers in Dandenong so, ‘Why me’?

The major difficulty I foresaw was that most of the parents and grandparents of the children were used to the Dutch system of “Schools with the Bible” where Christian schools had to use the state

curriculum but were fully funded by the state. Bible stories, memory verses, Christian songs and prayers were added.

My vision for Christian education was that, if we would do this, we would teach the whole curriculum from a Christian perspective and basically train the children to become Christian workers and academics, applying their Christian faith to their work and play.

And so the Lord allowed us to begin the school year in 1970 with ninety six children, all of Reformed Church parents, and three teachers, Shirley Dawes, Charlene Banks, and myself, all housed in a new four classroom building at Kidd Road, Doveton.

The children were not used to composite grades, but there were no funds to employ more teachers. Shirley was a trained infant teacher and took Prep and One, Charlene Grade 2 and 3, and I had Grade 4, 5, and 6.

The very first Monday morning the staff began with a time of devotion and prayer, which we continued throughout the years.

Most of the children were quite happy being able to share in this adventure. The older children not

so much. At first many of them were quite upset about having to leave their friends in the state schools. But eventually things settled down.

Finance was often on our minds and we were blessed with a very enthusiastic “Mothers Club”. Most were parents, but also some others joined. These ladies raised an awesome amount of money. Together they also created a real bond and today we are still in touch with some of these parents.

Every term a large semi-trailer would be parked at the back of the school and people were encouraged to drop off their newspaper and magazines.

But around 1975 we were blessed with a massive increase in Federal funding, much to the delight of all the Board members.

Christians and music are inseparable, and from very early we had a school choir, accompanied at first just with me on guitar. I also used them when I was asked to speak in churches, which the children quite liked, particularly if it happened to be on a school day. We even made a record in 1975. As a school we produced a Christian musical at the end of each year, which delighted the parents and other families.

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You may not believe this, but for a few years we held our annual sports day on a Saturday where staff and parents worked together to make a most enjoyable day. Later it moved to Melbourne Cup day.

Every year a new classroom was added, and an extra teacher appointed. I remember teachers asking whether we could have a break for a year to settle down. The continual building programs were a nuisance but a necessary evil. When I left at the end of 1980 to start another school in Geelong, the school had grown, covering Prep to Year 12 with a staff of twenty two.

I am thankful for the enthusiasm and support from parents and staff. It really was a combined effort and I’m really grateful for the Lord’s presence throughout the years, and I pray for His continued care for Maranatha.

“I am thankful for the enthusiasm and support from parents and staff. It really was a combined effort and I’m really grateful for the Lord’s presence throughout the years, and I pray for His continued care for Maranatha.”

GLENDA MATTINGLEY

My first connection with Maranatha was via my father, Mr Keith Mattingley. Amongst his colleagues was Mr Kees de Haan who was one of the early supporters of the establishment of a Christian Parent-Controlled school in the Dandenong area. A topic of conversation between the two workmates was the enthusiasm and vision which Kees had for the School project, and the obvious pride which Keith displayed in me, his eldest daughter, who was about to graduate from Frankston Teachers’ College in 1968 as a Primary Educator.

My father would often comment on these conversations over an evening meal at the table and his interest was further fuelled by the building activity on the four acre piece of land at 146 Kidd Road. We would keep a watchful eye on the progress of the bull-dozing of the land and subsequently the foundational structure which gradually emerged, as we attended the Sunday morning services at the Doveton Baptist Church.

So it was with considerable interest and excitement that we took our place amid the predominantly Dutch families who gathered on that momentous occasion for the opening of ‘Maranatha, School with the Bible’. At the time of the Official School opening, I was in my third year of Primary teaching at Cranbourne Primary

School. However, within a comparatively short time, Maranatha had grown quite quickly which necessitated the appointment of additional teaching staff. Part way into 1973 I was made aware that a vacancy would be opening up. I applied and began my twenty year journey of faith with Maranatha in July of 1973.

My initial years were spent in the classrooms of the Preps, Grades 1 and 2. As my tenure at Maranatha extended beyond a decade or more, I moved up the ranks and became the Head of Primary. I also took on the responsibility of Special Needs support for the teachers of children who were struggling in various areas, and had weekly sessions of Music Appreciation.

As the numbers in the Primary School increased, I sadly handed over these support roles to a Specialist Support Teacher and a Music Teacher. Apart from these classroom experiences, it was very humbling to work with a committed team of dedicated teachers and office staff, not to mention the inspiration and appreciation which we received from the parents of our students, as we partnered with them in their task of nurturing and training the children whom God had entrusted to their care.

When I retired in 1993, I looked back with incredible gratitude for the opportunity to impact young lives in their educational and spiritual growth, development and understanding. I am forever grateful to God for His daily guidance, strength and provision.

BERT LANGERAK

In the second half of 1981 an advertisement to fill a Principal vacancy at Maranatha Christian School kept on appearing in the Trowel and Sword, a magazine of the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia. At the time I was head of the commerce department at Ulverstone High School. I had some insight into Christian Parent Controlled Schools, in that I was involved in the establishment of Leighland Christian School on the North West Coast of Tasmania. Maranatha seemed to have trouble finding a suitable person, so I thought I would put in an application. The board of the school must have found the application of enough interest to invite Liz and me over for an interview. This lasted for most of a Saturday, was attended by all the directors, and resulted in an invitation to take up the position commencing at the beginning of 1982.

The Langerak family moved to Victoria at the beginning of 1982. Student numbers at Maranatha suddenly increased by six Langerak children.

The school was bursting at the seams. Classes were held in the Reformed Church across Kidd Road. At times there were at least four classes in the church building. A ‘lolly-pop’ lady was employed to stop the traffic and escort classes across the busy Kidd Road. In 1983 the school also rented a house on Power Road from the Baptist Church. This was occupied by the Year 12 students. Some classes were also conducted in the Baptist Church itself. Meanwhile the new campus in Endeavour Hills was being constructed and the secondary section of the school was relocated to Endeavour Hills during the Easter break in 1983. The Campus was officially opened in May of that year.

The school has a wonderful motto: My Utmost for His Glory. I referred to this often when addressing assemblies and parent functions. The motto encouraged us all to do our very best, not for our own glory but for that of the Lord of the school. Over its existence, Maranatha has sought to cater for the needs of all its students, encouraging each to live up to the motto. It would be interesting to find out what contributions past students have made in the Australian community and beyond.

Over the years, staff have sought to teach from a Christian perspective acknowledging that this is God’s world. He is the Creator of all that can be discovered and developed in His creation. This covers all areas of the curriculum. There is to be no artificial separation of secular and religion. All areas of life are to be devoted to the Lord who is over all and in all.

The above might suggest that there were never ‘fun times’ in the school year. There were! The close shave for cancer springs to mind. Good times were also had during working bees, the paper drive at Doveton Campus in the early years, as well as the annual school fetes.

Maranatha has always been outward looking. It never selfishly tried to keep senior staff who were sought after by other schools and was even prepared to share its Principal and Business Manager with Chairo Christian School for a three-year period.

What a privilege it was to be allowed to lead the school for twenty two years! I pray that the Lord will continue to bless the school and may the school community never lose sight of the school’s motto: My Utmost for His Glory.

VERNON CLARK

1992 as an English and Drama teacher. This was a very significant appointment after living in Australia for one year, having recently migrated from South Africa in January 1991. I had also made a personal commitment to Christ and my spiritual and teaching career had both embarked on an exciting new journey.

I had always experienced a deep sense of faith, favour and belonging during my years at Maranatha. My principalship began quite unexpectedly with Andrew Mackenzie’s departure, and my executive leadership was initiated with the pressures of managing change

of which I was a significant part. The staff were soon galvanised and business continued as usual. As Executive Principal of Maranatha, I really enjoyed my mentor times with Bert Langerak, working on the Early Learning Centre at Doveton, redesigning the Endeavour Hills administration offices and the planning and preparation of the 40th Anniversary Celebrations.

One of my favourite memories as Principal was building a community of hospitality and relationship. I remember purchasing David I. Smith and K.A. Smith’s book, Teaching and Christian Practices and giving a copy to every member of staff.

I remember attending a Year 10 Camp in the Cathedral Ranges, and one night as staff and students sat around a campfire reflecting on the events of the day, we were totally oblivious to the fact that one of the students, Keith Blok, had entered the toilet a few metres away from where we were all seated. Unbeknown to us, Keith, as he sat on the toilet, kept burning bits of toilet paper and dropping these flaming missiles between his legs down the pit of the toilet. It was the sudden explosion followed by Keith being catapulted into our midst that shocked us all into the awareness of what had been going on! It was the stunned look on Keith’s face and the smell of singed body hair that I will never forget!

The significant aspect of Maranatha was the school motto ‘My Utmost for His Glory’. This logo and the principle of servant leadership, was lived out by most of the staff, modelled for twenty two years by my predecessor, Bert Langerak, and went a long way in transforming the lives of staff and students who were a part of Maranatha Christian School.

RODERICK CROUCH

‘I will honour him who honours me’

God was preparing me for this moment.

There are times in our lives when we can look back and see the hand of God. We see how He has prepared us by giving us a range of experiences that refine and grow us, both in wisdom and skill. That best describes my time as Principal/CEO at Maranatha. While I had been a Christian educator all my working life, having been called to teaching (from law) at university, my experience had been in church-based independent schools, as well as international schools rather than what Australia describes as ‘Christian Schools.’

God opened a door and tossed me into what was then for me, an unknown world. There were a few shocks to the system – both for Maranatha and me - and that wasn’t just going from 44 to 4 degrees overnight (as I landed in Melbourne from the UAE in July!) or supporting an AFL team (the Lions) that was close to last.

It was a very challenging time in the school’s history. Tasked by the Board, my responsibility was to lead the School to build a more sustainable future by bringing three parts into a cohesive whole; and that in turn required significant

change, or to some extent, upheaval. God’s timing was such that all the experiences in my career God used, to give me skills with which to serve Him at Maranatha. He gives us our brains and hearts to make good choices and decisions that will honour Him.

God is also gracious and faithful; and to see how those changes – whether they were new organisational structures, the ‘Happy’ video, iPads, or new ideas from outside the experience of many, or new programs that encouraged children to be Christian thinkers were embraced by so many shows not just His graciousness, but also the faithfulness and willingness of His people at Maranatha to serve Him.

When we look back, always we remember people. I was blessed to serve the Lord at Maranatha with some wonderfully Godly and faithful people, from the board to the senior leadership to so many staff. That is the Maranatha influence on me and I reflect how the Lord has used my time at Maranatha to prepare me for my next challenge. There is no doubt that Christian education is needed more than ever, and we as Christian teachers, students, parents and graduates have a remarkable opportunity to influence and shape our world for God. Maranatha has always been a leader in this

regard. And for that I give thanks for Maranatha and its many faithful years of service. May the Lord continue to bless all who study or serve there. May we all continue to honour Him.

1954

1959

Association for Christian Education of Dandenong was officially formed with ninety members.

Association for Christian Education of Dandenong was unofficially formed. Two shillings per week was collected from various people by Mr George Boinger and other volunteers.

1964

Land at Kidd Road, Doveton was bought for £2,500.

THE EARLY YEARS

The history of the school started in 1954 when the Association for Christian Education of Dandenong was formed. The Association was largely made up of Dutch immigrant parents, who were accustomed to Government supported parentcontrolled Christian schools in Holland.

The Association soon found that schools not supported by the State system mainly accommodated families with higher incomes. Collecting funds and raising finances through a variety of events began, with the final aim of starting their own school similar to those in the Netherlands. One of the most well-known fundraisers was the collection of two shillings every week from numerous families.

In 1964 the Association represented by a Board bought a block of land in Doveton. The school was to be situated on Kidd Road, not far from the existing Baptist Church. The site was approximately three acres and cost £2,500.

1968

The Association was incorporated as a company.

1969

Construction of Doveton Campus commenced. Mr and Mrs Blik proposed Maranatha School and Mr Blik suggest ‘School with the Bible’. The board eventually decided to combine these two names and called the school Maranatha School with the Bible.

At the 1964 Annual meeting the Board appointed architects C & G Lyons of South Melbourne for the supervision of the construction of the school. The Board also accepted their advice to give contract for the first unit of the school to DV & MW Platt, builders from Parkdale.

The school was designed by Mr Cecil R and Mr Graham F Lyons. It included thirteen classrooms and an assembly hall. It was intended at that time to provide education up to Year 10.

Construction began in 1969 for the primary campus, with much of the work being done by the Association members themselves. The building was completed in February 1970 and the first student enrolled to Maranatha was Jenny Tiemens.

Before the school was almost ready to open, the Board announced that suggestions for a name for the Christian school would be welcomed from

Members of the Association. Mr Jan Blik Senior, a pastry cook, offered a special cake as a prize for the winner. Mr Blik ended up winning his own cake, as the final name chosen came from Mrs Blik, who proposed “Maranatha School,” and Mr Blik who suggested “School with the Bible.” The Board in the end decided to combine the two names.

In February 1970 “Maranatha, School with the Bible” opened in Doveton, Victoria. It was the first parent-controlled Christian School in Victoria. Initial enrolments were 96 students under the care of three teachers. The Principal was Mr Bob Van

1970

1972

Two classrooms and a new staffroom were added to the existing buildings at Doveton. A second school bus was purchased.

On 3rd February Maranatha opened with ninety six students and three teachers. Mr Bob Van Veen was appointed as Principal. There were four classrooms, a staffroom and a toilet block.

1973

1974

Miss Glenda Mattingley was appointed Deputy Principal.

Maranatha, School with the Bible was formally accepted as a member of the Association of Independent Schools of Victoria.

Veen, and the teachers were Miss Shirley Dawes and Mrs Charlene Banks.

In 1975 the first Secondary class was conducted in the Reformed Church across from Maranatha on Kidd Road. Teachers would walk students down to the church hall with smiles on their faces, because they had outgrown the existing buildings on the Doveton Campus. At this time five more classrooms and a library were added, alongside the use of a caravan.

Land was purchased in Lysterfield in 1975 as a possible site for a new school. The land was later sold due to complications with the local council. In 1982 land was purchased in Endeavour Hills.

1975

The first Secondary classes were conducted in the Doveton Reformed Church and five more classrooms and a library were added.

1976

The Doveton Campus extension was officially opened by Mr Len Reid. The name of the school was changed to Maranatha Christian School. This was a result of the continual misunderstanding of people outside the school community seeing Maranatha School with the Bible as a Bible College rather than a Primary and Secondary School.

1977

1978

1979

The first Year 11 and 12 classes were conducted.

An institute for Christian Education was formed between Maranatha, Donvale and Mt Evelyn Christian Schools and the Australian Christian University.

On Saturday 7th March 1970, chairs were collected from the local Reformed church and set up on the gravel and grassed area on the northern side of the school building. Approximately 500 people attended the celebration which commenced at 3pm. Several gentlemen had bought new suits for the occasion and some of the ladies were wearing new hats. Reverend J. VanderReest, Minister of the Dandenong Reformed Church called the congregation to worship and new Principal Mr Bob Van Veen led in prayer.

Mr Bob Van Veen migrated from the Netherlands during the 1950’s and settled in Brisbane. He moved with his wife Connie and son Stephen to Geelong. In preparation for full-time Christian work he studied at the Reformed Theological College doing a teacher training course.

An Educational Creed was accepted unanimously as an addition to the Constitution of the Association. To become a member of the Association it became necessary to agree to the Educational Creed, rather than the previous Church Creeds. Sourced from the book ‘To be Continued’ by Mrs Lynne Dickson

1980

1981

Ms Glenda Mattingley appointed Acting Principal.

Maranatha Christian School celebrates its 10th anniversary. Mr Bob Van Veen resigns as Principal.

1982

Mr Bert Langerak appointed as Principal of Maranatha. Secondary Campus land was purchased at Endeavour Hills and construction commenced.

It was during this time that Christian education was growing, and after hearing about the possibility of a Christian school in Dandenong, Mr Van Veen made an enquiry. He met with Harold Dykstra, the Board Secretary in 1968. This led to a formal appointment to the position of Principal in 1969.

Staff were very difficult to attract in the early days, but the Pioneers were faithful. Miss Shirley Dawes and Mrs Charlene Banks were appointed alongside Mr Van Veen. The total enrolment for the first year of Maranatha in 1970 was ninety six students. Miss Dawes taught thirty students in Prep and Grade 1. Mrs Banks also taught thirty students in Grade 2-3, and Mr Van Veen taught thirty six students from Grade 4-6. ‘Maranatha, School with the Bible’ was well under way.

There was excitement for the first day at a brand new school. The hopes and dreams of parents involved created great delight as families prepared for school. There was a sense of awe in the hearts of the adults who had prayed and worked for so long.

Many of the children were reluctant to leave their former schools and the friends made. Music played a large part in creating a community and a choir was established. Mr Van Veen continued to encourage the children with their singing. New words were put to the familiar tune of “Maori Farewell” thus creating the “Maranatha School Song.” For many years this was sung, with rather loud volume, at all school events.

They visited numerous churches and produced a record of themselves singing, and many were convinced it would soon be making the Top Ten Charts. The record included “One of These Days,” “He’s Everything to Me” and “Near to the Heart of God.”

Constant growth transpired for Maranatha as more teachers and students were added each year. Buildings were always in short supply and the school continued expanding, adding new buildings and changing the landscape. The Maranatha school community came to the end of 1971 with a dual sense of thankfulness for all that God had done and anticipation as to what the future would bring. With enrolments increasing at an amazing rate, the members had attended a hastily convened meeting in October, and given the Board the ‘green light’ to appoint another teacher and extend the existing building by another two classrooms and a ‘proper’ staffroom.

Chorus:

Yes Jesus saves, saves you and me.

We sing Maranatha! For He’ll come again.

God the Father loves His people

Even so much that He sent us

The only One willing and able, Jesus Christ Who saves us all.

At a School called Maranatha, We learn about this special Saviour And I know that He forever Comes to live in my own heart. Sourced from the book ‘To be Continued’ by Mrs Lynne Dickson

TONY SMIT

I made a commitment with God at the very beginning of Maranatha that I would purchase the school’s buses. It began with two 18-20-seater buses and from there the fleet grew. They became our best form of advertising for the school in the early days and I made sure that the buses were serviced every year. They were all driven by Maranatha mothers who were not paid a great amount and most of it was voluntarily. My wife Jane would become so busy that our youngest son David would go with Jane on the bus and sleep in his bassinet under the dashboard. When a bus would break down, I would be called to organise the bus to be fixed. Once we had two kids holding down the pedals while the adults repaired the bus. In the eighties they were sold as the school began to use a bus service.

I came from Holland with my family when I was sixteen, the second eldest of ten children, with the youngest being just one year old. We had moved for a better life and had the choice between Australia and Canada. We traveled for six weeks on a ship which I thoroughly enjoyed. My family received 60-70 pounds when landing in Australia to set up and begin our immigration from Holland. I had responsibilities to help look after my family while on the ship, but I did it with gladness. I

was excited about my future in Australia. I had come from a Christian school in Holland and was keen to be part of creating a Christian school. I attended school and learning English was helpful when I began to look for work. I married at twenty-two to Jane who was eighteen, and started my own business creating drainage systems.

In 1966 Kees de Haan asked if I would be a part of the Maranatha school board, and so I served both on the board and as President for over a twenty-year period. I am very grateful to be involved with Maranatha Christian School and happy to be continuing as a Pioneer.

The End of a Year

The end of a year, I’m both happy and sad,

When I think of the wonderful times, we have had

As we’ve driven our buses through flood and through snow,

With a cargo of children so precious you know,

Through the back streets of here and the front streets of there

And the car cluttered highways to heaven knows where,

To the stations and markets and airports and such,

There are not many places we haven’t been, much,

There’s been good times and bad times and times just so-so,

And there’s been times when a bus just wouldn’t go,

And there’s kids that are good and many I like

And there’s others I’d rather see riding a bike.

HAROLD DYKSTRA & YOLANDA CHARALAMBOUS

The Story of Two Pioneers

Leaving Holland and his family at the tender age of eighteen for Australia, Harold Dykstra spent his first years in country New South Wales. Janneke Ketelaar migrated from Holland to Australia at the age of fourteen, with her parents and six brothers and sister. They first settled in New South Wales before moving to Victoria.

Harold moved into the Dandenong area in the early sixties after he met his new girlfriend (and love of his life), Janneke Ketelaar. He was totally unaware of the early struggles of the Christian school movement, but this soon changed

as Janneke’s family were strong supporters of Christian education. Harold needed little convincing to get involved as he attended Christian schools in Holland and his father was always actively involved on the school board or as a committee member. In Harold’s perspective, he always viewed Christian schooling as a basic need and right for all. Initially, Harold became a regular financial supporter, but this soon grew to helping collect contributions from others. The earliest membership contributions were two shillings per family.

In 1964, Harold felt privileged to join the board. He always saw it as an honour to work alongside others during that difficult but exciting period. It was a huge learning curve particularly about Government regulations and aid. There was no stopping the board though and learn they did. Although Maranatha in the early days was a primary school, they managed to receive a government interest subsidy only intended for secondary education. They argued with great persuasion, convincing the government that in the future, the main hallway would be used by secondary students to walk through. Perhaps it wasn’t so much the strong solid argument, but

more the fact that the government departments had had enough of arguing with them as they insisted on visiting the appropriate government departments, as high as they could go. Occasionally, this meant seeing the Premier, which at the time of the interest subsidy, was Mr Bolte. Harold was asked early on to become the Board secretary and as a result, spent numerous hours with the typewriter and dictionary, trying to make letters look reasonably professional. The tasks were wide and varied for the Board, and considering their limited skills as Board members, whether this was in the area of spelling, interviewing prospective teachers or negotiating with architects, builders or finances, they gave credit to God for eventually providing a rock-solid start.

There were many highlights for Harold and Janneke during these years. Most prominently, buying the land at Kidds Road was a momentous occasion, celebrated by all. Harold fondly remembers the early board meetings held in their own homes, before they had school buildings. Harold Dykstra went to visit the first prospective Principal, Mr Bob Van Veen, in Traralgon, whilst he was travelling for work. Bob and the first primary

teacher, Miss Shirley Dawes, were later formally interviewed in Harold and Janneke’s home. Harold often wonders if Shirley was shocked at that first interview as the living room was filled with the Board members’ cigarette and cigar smoke!

The opening of the school in 1970 was an incredible time of celebration and thanksgiving to God. The culmination of so many prayers, contributions and efforts by a huge community of people. Memories of building fences with volunteers and weekly school cleaning were also highlights. The board and their partners would wash and buff floors, wipe down desks and boards, wash windows and clean toilets, every Friday night. Janneke’s mum, Joukje Ketelaar, would babysit their three children, Jacqueline, Trevor and Yolanda, so that they could both go. Although they were cleaning, they were fun nights of laughter and comradery.

And who can forget the vibrant, bustling Mothers Club? Janneke enjoyed being a part of this group of dedicated mums, where their projects ranged from organising and selling uniforms, running the annual Mother’s Day stall, selling homemade goods at street stalls at Autumn Place, fundraising, and helping in the canteen. Janneke was often

found in both the Doveton classrooms and later at the Endeavour Hills campus. She loved assisting in the library with Jan Kenney and Carolyn Hooper and helping in classrooms - reading books to classes to give teachers a chance to do some other tasks. She was a regular helper for the swimming lessons at the North Lodge Swimming Pool and enjoyed supporting school events. Her daughter recalls one hot swimming carnival day when Janneke jumped into the Doveton pool with her sister in law, Margaret Ketelaar, fully clothed!

To Harold and Janneke, it was, and continues to be, an honour to serve and contribute to the development of Maranatha Christian School. A parent governed, non-denominational, Christ centred school, that partners with the home and church to inspire students to discover their God given gifts, talents and abilities, to ‘Do our utmost for His Glory’.

JACQUIE MORGAN

Maranatha Christian School has always been a significant part of my life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I commenced as a Prep, when the school was still on a single site in Doveton. Initially, the school was P-6, but it evolved into a P-12 school. As Maranatha grew, classes commenced in nearby churches and houses. High school students changing class/periods were required to cross Kidd Road and walk to one of the local churches or houses, and return to Doveton campus for the subsequent period.

Eventually, Endeavour Hills campus was purchased and established. In my final year, there were only twelve students in HSC (VCE). There was no choice but to study some subjects by correspondence, and this involved receiving and sending work via mail (yes, snail mail), and any questions about our subject involved making a phone call from a landline. One privilege given to HSC students is we no longer had to wear a uniform. However, being in a class of twelve meant we had to undertake our final exams at Dandenong High School.

Maranatha was started by a group of visionary, and exceptionally dedicated Pioneers, many of whom were still very new to Australia. They raised the funds needed through personal sacrifice. Pea soup nights, croquette sales, fetes, and there were even people who would ride their bikes regularly from Dandenong to Frankston at weekends, raising money from anyone who would be kind enough to donate.

We have many reasons to celebrate the schools humble beginnings and many people to thank. I am the mother of two past students, and they have benefited from a school that has continued to develop. I have also had the incredible privilege of working with students as a Learning Assistant. I am truly thankful for the school’s leadership, its teachers, families and everyone who has contributed throughout its history to developing and maintaining the ‘Maranatha difference’. The school motto of doing our ‘Utmost for His Glory’ played a vital foundational role in developing my Christian beliefs and values. This aspiration is as relevant today as when the school was formed, and I know it will continue to provide a beacon for the school as they work in partnership with families to guide the development of our current and future students’ Christian character.

DELWYN MAIDMENT

My earliest memory of Maranatha was attending working bees with my father as a six year old. Emigrating from Holland in the early 1950’s, my parents valued Christian education and for them it was a priority that their children would attend a Christian school. By the time Maranatha opened in 1970, I was the only one of my three siblings still young enough to attend. I was seven years old when I started Grade 2 at the Doveton campus.

In the beginning there was only one building and most of the classes were merged. By the time I was in Grade 6 the school was growing and we had our classes in what is now the main staffroom. While I was unaware of it at the time, sending me to Maranatha was a huge financial burden on my parents, but for them there was no other choice. Their value of Christian education is something they passed on to us children to the extent that we all sent our own children to Christian schools.

As a parent what I value most about Maranatha is the partnership between school, home and the church. From very early on it was evident what we valued as a believing family was being taught and nurtured at school as well. As a teacher, having my own children attend the school where I teach has been an absolute blessing. The things we were able to experience together are still reminisced over and laughed about at family gatherings.

Thirty-eight years is a long time to work in the same place and the memories are too many to mention. Some of my fondest memories however would definitely be forming relationships with students and meeting them again years later. Also camping in tents on the local hockey fields at the Maryborough sports carnivals, National Christian Schools’ Championships, and of course the Thailand Mission Awareness trips, which have without a doubt provided the most meaningful moments in my career. I have spent more than eighty percent of my life at Maranatha and I am looking forward to continuing this partnership as my grandchildren attend in years to come.

JOANNE & MICHAEL SCHADDEE VAN DOOREN

Once upon a time there was a grey brick building in Doveton – a place where families sent their children to learn the fundamentals of reading, writing and arithmetic, but also a place where the name of the Lord was honoured and where the Bible was the foundation of all of the knowledge that was taught and learned.

Into this place, came a little boy named Michael in 1980. His aunty had been one of the first students at the school, because his grandparents had taken hold of the vision of Christian education and pioneered the school into which he arrived to take his first steps into learning. He remembers many things about that place – the green polished vinyl floors, the hand knitted blue school jumpers, gymnastics at the foot of the stairs, high climbing frames, sliding down the hill on a cardboard box, and gentle teachers like Mrs Messieh, who with firm and loving guidance took their students on their learning journey.

Six years later a girl named Joanne arrived from another school. She had been going to a local Primary school close to her house, but her parents decided that they wanted her and her sisters to have an education that acknowledged Jesus first. So they made considerable changes to their lives and sent their daughters off on long bus trips each day, so that they too could experience the Maranatha difference. And what a difference it

was! Joanne was amazed to find that most of the students in her class went to church and prayer was a normal part of the school routine.

Michael remembers the day the new girl came and sat next to him in the tests that were conducted at the commencement of the new year. He determined that he would be her friend, and friends they became throughout the journey of secondary school. Joanne was a student who worked hard at her schoolwork and loved being involved in Christian Fellowship, organising charity fundraisers and guest speakers for lunchtime activities. Michael loved to have a good time and once was asked by Mrs Fisher to repeat his classroom antics for all the staff in the staff room at lunchtime, much to the amusement of all! He enjoyed trips to Maryborough with inter-school sports and the camps to Wilsons Prom, Cathedral Ranges and the coastal Year 11 Geography field trips with Mr Callow.

Throughout their journey at Maranatha they made special friendships which have lasted to this day. They were mentored by inspiring teachers who taught them from hearts fixed firmly on Jesus and arms extended in love and care towards others. They learned to always and in everything, do their “Utmost for His Glory”, and when they married and had children of their own, they wanted their children to also grow and be

nurtured by the caring and loving environment of Maranatha. Now there have been three generations of Schaddee van Dooren’s at Maranatha. Praise God for the legacy of those Pioneers who gave self-sacrificially, the teachers who have honoured Jesus in their lives and allowed Him to speak through their teaching, the parents who realised the importance of Christian education and made financial sacrifices, and the churches who supported the mission and ministry of Maranatha Christian School.

WENDY PRINS

After being a primary student of Maranatha Christian School, I believe that there is no other place to send my children. I have always had an active relationship with Maranatha. Not only was my entire schooling spent at Maranatha, but my first job was as a lollipop lady and lackey for the school, which lasted a year. Even after leaving Maranatha to take up a position with the State Bank, the Maranatha connection appeared again. Although I didn’t meet my husband Rob while I was at school, he too was a student at Maranatha through his primary years.

Rob is grateful for his time away from Maranatha because it allowed him to experience schooling in a secular society, which reinforced his firm opinion that there is no place like Maranatha. Rob and I both value the quality of care, and the feeling of being welcomed as a member of God’s Christian family. A clear recollection of my school days were of the neighbours’ children coming home and crying. I was always amazed at such responses because they were so different to my own school days.

Being from one of Maranatha’s pioneer families, I recall toughing out Melbourne’s extreme weather, having to walk between classes at the Doveton Reformed Church and Doveton Baptist Church throughout my secondary years. I saw this as a fun interruption to the day. We all liked the short breaks as we walked between classes, we didn’t consider it a hardship at all!

I do remember fondly many strict but caring teachers, as well as a certain guitar playing teacher with a penchant for a particular melody. I can’t hear “This is the Day” without picturing Mr Van Veen strumming away with great enthusiasm.

The next generation of Maranatha students came via Rob’s and my five children, who all spent their entire schooling at Maranatha. The third generation of Maranatha students are now enrolled with hopefully more yet to come!

RUTH CLARK

After more than thirty years working in any industry, one learns first-hand the workings and dynamics of a place; the highs and lows; the ethos and values; and one is privy to a wealth of touching and compelling stories that make up the tapestry of an organisation –such has been my experience at Maranatha.

I have witnessed first-hand how the school’s Finance Department has managed the finances with due diligence and stewardship. In keeping with the legendary frugality of the early pioneers, who collected two shillings each week from church members to establish the school, the Finance Department always ensured that every penny spent was done so wisely. If items were to be purchased then phone-calls were made to ensure that the best equipment, at the best price was acquired. Our caretaker at the time was well-known for his thriftiness, and would squirrel away anything that could possibly be recycled or re-purposed. Evidence of this was to be found one year when the temperatures in the office exceeded thirty five degrees for a week. Our trusty caretaker arrived on one such day, bearing aloft one free-standing evaporative cooler

which he felt sure would alleviate the sweltering conditions in the office. Aside from the fact that the cooler looked like it had fallen off the back of a truck, it required constant replenishing of water, and really only managed to reduce the temperature by a couple of degrees at best. We were nevertheless excited and grateful, even though it created so much humidity that it caused our paperwork to stick to our arms!

In a similar fashion, it was all hands on deck each year when the office staff packed the school stationery long into the night. To save parents some money, stationery was purchased at a variety of discount outlets and then packed into individual parcels. These so called packing evenings would only finish at 11pm. Our husbands and children were frequently nominated into service, without the option of refusal! The hard work of each family was certainly worth the time and effort.

The primary aim was always to keep our costs low so that people could readily afford the education that Maranatha offered. In fact, nothing was too much trouble for anyone and I believe that we are now reaping the benefits of the sacrifices that staff made both financially and physically in those early days. Suffice to say we have been incredibly blessed by so many faith-inspired leaders who always saw themselves as part of a team.

It has been an honour and a blessing being able to work at a place that is more than just an educational institution, but a mission in growing God’s Kingdom. The Maranatha tapestry has seen the lives, stories, triumphs and successes of so many students and their family embedded in our on-going narrative.

JOANNE PRINS

Chris and I have been a part of Maranatha since we were both in Prep together. I moved back to the Netherlands to live in 1977, so my schooling at Maranatha ended in Grade 5. I returned to Australia in 1980 but was not able to attend Maranatha because there was a waiting list at that time! Chris continued on to high school until he left to start work.

We both have fond memories of Athletics days on the Oval and the park next door, and going to the Library in the house at the park. I remember feeling very excited when I was chosen to deliver a message to a teacher in the High School upstairs.

Chris and I were in school together until I left in Grade 5. We met up again during our youth club days and remained friends for years. We started dating when we were 21 (1988), married in 1990 and were blessed with four beautiful children.

Chris’ grandparents were pioneers of the school and, therefore, we were both determined that our children also go to Maranatha. There were times when we did not know if we could afford to do so, but God has always provided for us and we have been so blessed with being able to send our children to this wonderful school.

I work in the School office and Chris is the machine operator for Advance Concrete Company (Family Business). All four of our children have attended Maranatha from Grade Prep.

As parents we feel Maranatha has been a wonderful environment for our children’s entire schooling. Maranatha truly has a unique ‘feel’ and I will be forever grateful that our family as a whole was able to attend. The Maranatha experience is truly exceptional.

1983

Endeavour Hills Secondary Campus opened. The Doveton Campus became exclusively for primary education.

1985

A new library was completed and opened at Endeavour HIlls along with six portable classrooms.

1986

The first School magazine ‘Churinga’ was published.

1988

New PE change and storage rooms completed at Endeavour Hills. Specialist Arts and Media block established.

Before the purchase of the Endeavour Hills campus however, it was decided in the midseventies that a new campus should be established. A site in Lyndhurst at the corner of Thompson and Taylor Roads was considered appropriate for the purpose of founding a new Primary Campus. The land was first considered a possible site for the new campus in August 1974, but interest soon turned from Lyndhurst to Lysterfield. Eighteen acres of land was actually bought in Lysterfield, close to the corner of Wellington Road and Lysterfield Road. The sale was finalised in 1976. Later in the year however, it was discovered that contrary to the local Council’s prior communication, water was not to be put through to Lysterfield for the next twenty years. It was realised that a school cannot survive for such a great period of time on rain water, therefore the Lysterfield block was sold.

The Secondary Campus in Endeavour Hills was an exercise in faith and commitment on behalf of the Board and school community. Eighteen acres on Hallam North Road were purchased in 1982. Maranatha had a regular source of income, and were able to commence building almost immediately. Construction was completed in early 1983, and it was with great joy, glory and giving thanks to God that the Secondary Campus was opened that same year, just in time for the second school term.

On 28th May 1983 the new Secondary buildings were officially opened by Mr Ray Hoekzema, Chairman of the National Union for ParentControlled Christian Schools. The Endeavour Hills campus had an office and administration block, home economics room, art room, wood and metal work room, laboratory, six general classrooms, one of which was used as the Library, and a portable partitioned into three rooms for use by senior students.

In the time since then, the buildings at the Secondary campus have been increased from the original fourteen rooms and office block, to include two new portable blocks. One with six specialist classrooms (Graphic communications, Textiles, Music, Typing, Drama and Physical Education) added in 1986. The other two Art/ Media rooms were added in 1988. In 1987, an addition was made to the office area with the construction of a foyer and sick bay. Also completed in 1987, the Students’ Representative Council also provided finance for a P.E. equipment store and changing rooms, which were completed in late 1988.

In 1985 the Library was built at the Endeavour Hills campus and again the school community gathered to celebrate and thank God for His goodness. Mr Peter Milton, Federal Member for La Trobe performed the opening ceremony. Parents and friends were invited to donate books to assist in stocking the shelves.

1989

Construction of Year 5 and 6 classrooms and a toilet block.

Administration space and extensions to Secondary office block planned for early 1990.

1990

Maranatha Christian School celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Year 5 and 6 classrooms officially opened by Mr Hendrik Westendorp.

1991

Maryborough interschool competition commenced in March.

1993

Mr Joe Belousoff appointed Head of Primary.

1995

Establishment of house namesGrevillea, Acacia, Waratah and Kurrajong.

The Christian Fellowship group continued within the Secondary school and from this emerged a drama team known as “Shatter the Darkness.” Writing, directing and performing skits and mimes, under the guidance of Mrs Joy Atkinson (Findlay), the students were able to develop a professional presentation. Over a number of years they were in demand to visit other schools and churches, presenting the gospel message through drama.

Many Maranatha students also played musical instruments and these individual talents were brought together in the School orchestra. Although tentative at first, the orchestra became more tuneful and impressive as the years progressed.

Mrs Lynne Dickson

Fundraising for the Multi-purpose hall through the Pioneers’ Fund of $2 each week. 2000

Construction of the Endeavour Hills Hall

2003

Mr Bert Langerak retires from 22 years as Principal of Maranatha.

2004

Mr Andrew Mackenzie appointed as Principal of Maranatha Art Complex at Endeavour Hills Campus opened.

NICK & KERRI GREENWOOD

Our connection with Maranatha began in 1987 when Kerri commenced teaching Grade 4 as a graduate teacher. Her initial recollections are of a loving and caring community of parents, teachers and students – most of whom were Dutch! She recalls asking for prayer points on her first day when a child requested prayer for her Oma who was sick, to which Kerri responded, “Is that the name of your dog?” She was horrified to be told, “No, that’s my grandma!”

Two years later Nick commenced his teaching career in Grade 6 at the Doveton Campus. This was the last year that Grade 5 and 6 were situated at Doveton before moving to Endeavour Hills in 1990. Unlike Kerri, Nick has a Dutch heritage, which made it easier for him to navigate such surnames as Smit, Noorbergen, De Haan, Bestenbruer, Vanderkruk, Lanting, Mechielsen and Bruinsma. By the end of that year, Kerri & Nick were an item, and the rest, you can say, is history.

We have always felt blessed to be a part of the Maranatha Community, and this was never more evident than when our children Jonathan (1997) and Emma (1999) were born. This is when the Maranatha Community became our Maranatha Family. Jonathan and Emma remained at Maranatha for the formative Prep – Grade 4 years. As a family we are thankful to God for the many blessings Maranatha Christian School has been to each one of us.

JONATHAN GREENWOOD

My name is Jonathan Greenwood; my parents, Nick and Kerri, were teachers at Maranatha Doveton from 1987 to 2003. I went to Doveton from Prep to Grade 4. The main memories I have are of the old library room with its orange, perpetually furcovered tiles, the rows of video tapes available for students to borrow, and the kindly staff, Mrs Hooper, Ms Jamieson and Mr Van Triet.

I also remember my Prep teacher, Mrs Russo, creating a fabulous quilt for me as I embarked on my first ‘smile surgery’ in Toronto, Canada, which I still have to this day (it is still magnificent). I remember the next year, in Grade 1, Mrs Minett and Mrs Callow had compiled a book with contributions from all my classmates wishing me well for my second surgery. Even as a young kid, I appreciated the kindness infused with what the class and teachers had done for me; in a country on the other side of the world, it helped to know that my friends and teachers in Australia had my back.

I also just remember being a kid on the playground, and all the hilarity that brings. For instance, when I was in Prep, I remember going up to one of the structures (I seem to recall it was hamburger-shaped) and I chucked my hearing aids off the top, watching them fall onto the bark below. I was later told that Grade 4 kids were tasked with retrieving the aids; whoops! Perhaps I didn’t think I needed them anymore? (I still wear hearing aids to this day, but have never chucked them out again.)

If there’s one thing I think of when I think about Maranatha, it’s the heart. I was so blessed to meet and know people who loved God. My teachers were beacons of light for me, their kindness radiating through everything they did. Even as I left for Flinders in Grade 5, I got the sense that I still had a community rallying for me. So, really, Maranatha for me brings to mind a caring, Christian community for which I will be forever grateful.

JANET DE JONG

Great Keppell - VCE Tour

Can you image travelling 7500 km on a bus for ten days with over forty teenagers? The first part of the journey was an all-nighter.

Until I met the amazing Mrs Marlene Cross, a Maranatha parent for many years, I knew very little about taking on the role of VCE Tour cook. Thankfully, she handed me her very special book which contained recipes, menu planners and everything we needed to survive. Meals were prepared in advance and packed onto the bus. Mrs Lynette Clark assisted me and was always there to keep us upbeat or say a prayer.

Our first destination was the Gold Coast, conquering our fears on many rides at the Theme Parks. The high-pitched screams of one unnamed male teacher in particular on the Tower of Terror will forever remain in my memory.

Great Keppel Island provided us with new challenges especially for our leader, Mr Vernon Clark. Leading a group of students to their tents he unzipped one much to the surprise of some unsuspecting tourists. Activities included jet-skiing,

sea-kayaking, sailing, snorkelling and tandem skydiving for the brave. We laughed hysterically when we woke to find that our camp kitchen resembled a war zone, thanks to possums splattering tomato sauce and emptying all the bins.

Picture Dave Gleeson and Vernon Clark standing waist deep in the sea chatting about what could be chasing the school of fish nearby when Dave moved his toe over to brush against Vernon’s leg. I have never seen Vernon move so fast.

The journey home involved sleeping on the floors at a couple of Christian Schools and a stopover in Sydney.

It was such a joy to be part of these trips and get to know the dedicated teachers and wonderful VCE students.

I was involved in two tours and then passed the baton to Lynne Dickson and Emma Dam.

JULIE FRENCH

I had never heard of Maranatha until a friend at Uni shoved a newspaper job advertisement under my nose one day and said, “You’re a Christian, you should apply for this.” So I did, never thinking that over thirty years later I would still be here.

I was interviewed by a panel of seven men, very intimidating for a young twenty year old! One of those men was the then Chairman of the Board, Harold Dykstra, the father of Yolanda Charalambous and Jacquie Morgan. Obviously I got the job and then went on to teach Yolanda all the way to Year 12, and now I also get to work with her. This is one of the main things I love about Maranatha, generations from the same family are involved in the school. I love that I have been able to teach students from Year 7, watch them grow, mature and graduate, then have them either come back to Maranatha to work, or send their own children here; and so the cycle continues. There is something very special about being able to say to current students, “I taught your mum/dad/uncle/aunt.” They never believe me until I take them into my office and show them my photo board dating back to 1988. However, I need to retire before the grandchildren start coming through the school!

Ninety percent of my friends on Facebook are ex-students. It has been a privilege watching them grow, marry and have their own families. I count it as an extraordinary blessing that so many have wanted to keep in touch over the years. The Maranatha community is special and amazing.

Praise God that all those years ago, I was unable to get a job after High School and so went on to Uni because, “I didn’t want to sit around at home and be bored”. University and particularly teaching, was never something I aspired to, was never even on the radar; yet God knew better. Whilst the job itself has had its ups and downs over the years, and has not always been easy, it has been incredibly rewarding being part of the Maranatha community, and something for which I will always thank God.

MURRAY LANCASTER

Memories of school

It is 1:00 am, Monday February 3, 1986. I’ve just arrived at Melbourne airport after backpacking through south-east Asia for two months. I found out during my travels that my application to teach Art at Maranatha had been successful. I’m homeless, jet-lagged and culture-shocked. I sleep for a few hours at a friend’s place, drive to my mother’s place for a change of clothes, and then head off for my first day at school. Fortunately for me, no teaching that day.

This is not the recommended way to start a career. Nevertheless, I remained at Maranatha for the next twenty nine years. Why? For someone who finds constant social interaction tiring and therefore the effort of teaching quite hard at times (having taught eight different subjects altogether), there must have been something that kept me attached to the place. It certainly wasn’t the meetings or curriculum development or the endless marking of student work.

The friendships formed with teaching colleagues helped as did watching students develop to their full creative potential. From originally teaching in ordinary classrooms to having a specialist Arts block to work in was truly amazing. My fondest memories were of the rugged hiking camps

(Lake Tali Karng or the Grampians anyone?), chatting about art and culture with my faculty, the little pranks teachers played on each other, celebrating birthdays and milestones with morning teas, excursions to the National Gallery, the (unofficial) staff triathlon, and cycling through the bush to school for twenty years.

There was plenty of laughter and, at times, tears when people we knew left. What kept me at Maranatha was the genuineness of people and that we were all there for a common purpose: to see the children entrusted to us grow into thoughtful and caring adults who made the world a better place.

JAN KENNEY

It all started with my cousin Susan in 1975, when she sent her children to a funny little independent school called “Maranatha, school with the Bible”. Later that year she mentioned that they were looking for a teacher to fill in every morning for five weeks, so the Principal could attend a conference. I was qualified and available so I applied. I taught Grade 5 in the morning and another teacher, Kaye Fitzgerald, would take over in the afternoons.

I discovered teaching at Maranatha wasn’t a funny school at all; it was a different world. I could pray with students and staff, and openly talk to children about my faith.

I discovered it was a parent controlled school, and parents were everywhere. They listened to reading, drove buses, tidied your classroom, became teaching aides, ran the canteen, helped at sporting events, and even had a roster for cleaning the school and mowing the lawns.

Wow!! At my previous schools the parents were left at the gate. It all took a little getting used to.

The school had no office staff at that time and Grade 6 students were rostered on to answer the school phone, which was conveniently located on the shelf outside the classroom. The phone would ring and the rostered child would duck out to the corridor and politely answer the phone, take a message or knock on the Grade 5 door and hand the phone to Mr Bob Van Veen, the Principal.

The school had one television, located in the corner of a corridor, near the staff toilets, and classes could book the television to watch the ABC school programs. Students would sit on the carpet, watching intently.

I enjoyed my five weeks and became the school’s regular emergency teacher for the next ten years or so; teaching for a day, a week, or in one case for an entire year as the Primary Librarian, while the school searched for a suitably qualified

person. I enjoyed being the Llibrarian, so I enrolled at Monash to complete a library degree, and in 1988 I was employed as a Teacher/Librarian at Endeavour Hills. A position I held until my retirement at the end of 2016.

The name has changed, but Maranatha has continued to be the “School with the Bible.” It was my privilege to be a part of its growth over the forty years or so of my involvement; first as a teacher, then a parent, and finally as a librarian.

GRAEME SMITH

My first contact with Maranatha was as a student teacher at the Doveton Campus way back in 1989, when I worked with Miss Kerri Dunn (now Greenwood) in Grade 5. What an awesome five weeks that was, and it led me to apply for a position that was available for the following year. In 1990, I started teaching with Mrs Drysdale, Mrs Minett, Mrs Telford and later that year Mrs Buruma.

After nine years in the Primary sector, a position became available at the Secondary School in the Maths department, and for some reason I was

convinced God was leading me into Secondary teaching, although that had never been part of my plan.

Within one year of teaching in Secondary, I was chatting with a parent (Mrs Mary Doty) about my upbringing as a missionary kid in Thailand, and she threw out the random comment, “You should take our students over there.” That one comment planted a seed.

Twenty years later, we have now been blessed with thirty four Thailand Mission Awareness Tours, fifteen of those with Year 10 students, over 1195 total travellers to Thailand comprising of close to 800 different people (and still counting), and countless experiences and stories that have changed both our own lives and those in Thailand.

Some of the best highlights have been…

• Teaching our students how much we can give, both in time and materials. We take over clothing, supplies, food – whatever is available and needed. When we began a new line of uniforms at Maranatha, we took over the old uniforms that would have been thrown out, and I was touched by photos of displaced refugees who came to the hospital with nothing, but then were kitted out in Maranatha PE uniforms or the light blue school shirts. Of

course any warm clothing was quickly given to many people in need of such items.

• Planting 8,000 teak trees over ten years ago around the hospital. Each of these trees will secure over $100 AUD when they are chopped down and used for building. That’s $800,000 AUD in blessings that we could provide in simple practical acts of service (over 19 million Thai baht in local currency).

• Maranatha’s influence in Thailand is amazing. David and Andrea Cross (former students) are working there with Zoe’s Home; David Sutherland (former student teacher) is teaching at a Bible school, Miss Jess Newlin (former staff member) is teaching on the border, and Sarah Cave (church contact with the Jensen family) now works with a school and church in Chiang Rai. It is a privilege to catch up with each of these people when we return. Maranatha is well known in Chiang Mai and always receives us warmly and wish to continue working with us.

I am grateful for the random comment from Mrs Doty that kick-started this trip, for the support in the early days from school leadership to explore, develop and continue this opportunity, and for the friendships and relationships that have blessed my life with fellow staff members, students and the wider school community.

Love each other.

Unite and work for freedom, justice and peace.

Forgive and don’t hate each other.

Pray with faith, act with courage, never surrender.

EMMA DAM

My connections to Maranatha firstly came through my in-laws. Dirk Vlak, an uncle to my husband Tiddo who was visiting Australia from the Netherlands and was one of the instigators of establishing an Association of Christian Education in the Dandenong area. This ultimately gave birth to Maranatha Christian School. Tiddo’s father was on the first school Board as Vice-Chairman and his mother was one of the many two-shilling collectors to raise funds for the Association. They worked in faith and with a vision that one day a school would be established.

In 1987 our eldest blue-eyed treasure was in Kinder and it was our desire to have a school for him where home, church and school worked together to nurture and grow him. We had three other precious children who all followed within five years.

Maranatha’s parent involvement enabled us to be actively present in our children’s education. It was mainly in the background – sewing endless art smocks, chairbags, library bags and trackpants, as well as fetes, working bees, classroom help, school camps and head-lice checks. Tiddo served on the School Board for six years.

I also went into the office to help with all sorts of office chores on a Friday afternoon. This grew into a full day of volunteering and then more. It was in 1997 that Lynne Dickson took some well-deserved long service leave and left me in the office filling some very big shoes. Slowly my hours increased in the Doveton office. This also allowed me to work in a variety of roles at the Endeavour Hills campus office. When Lynne retired from the Doveton campus, I took on the full-time position in the busy Primary office.

One of my favourite memories had been listening to Lynne speak of God’s faithfulness and provision as she spoke to prospective parents. This encouraged me to speak from my own experience. Taking parents on school tours was always a joyous task and the sweet memory of those encounters remain with me to this day. I could identify with anxious parents and it was such a blessing to be able to share and encourage them to trust God that he would honour their desires and sacrifice.

There was no greater thrill than knowing that parents felt secure in leaving their precious cargo in Maranatha’s care, and have them know they were loved and nurtured in their education.

I enjoyed being a surrogate mum to many –lunches left at home, lost property, childhood

altercations and those tearful little moments when first-aid or simply a mother like reassurance was needed.

When I finished at Maranatha in 2014 the parents at Doveton presented me with a farewell gift accompanied by these words: “It Takes a Big Heart to Shape Little Minds”. How true these words still ring today, especially in a society that is often expressing anti-Christian attitudes.

Maranatha staff have this opportunity and freedom daily to shape little lives, and I encourage them to bless their students with positive, encouraging words of wisdom, equipping them to be independent – yet constantly reliant on God and to do their “Utmost for His Glory”.

COLLEEN DUTLOW

Celebrating Maranatha Christian School is such an exciting experience and being involved with its people has been such a privilege for me for over thirty years. One of my absolute joys and privileges has been to head up the student leaders, known as the Senate, for a number of years. These students would be nominated and then voted in by their peers and staff, and recently this process changed to where students applied for a position and then were interviewed. Of course I have many stories to tell of Year 11 and 12 students who put their hand up to go the extra mile to serve their peers in a godly way. One of the funniest stories however was when they decided to spend some of their hard earned funds to hire a jumping castle so that the students could be kept occupied while waiting for their race at the School’s Cross Country. Well, someone suggested that it needed to be strong enough to cater for the older students and so we hired an adult jumping castle. Nobody thought anything of it until I announced it at briefing that morning and a colleague brought to my attention what an adult jumping castle could actually be. I said, “Goodness me, surely things like that don’t exist! Who thinks about that, let alone makes it and then hires it out to a group of school student leaders?” You have to remember I was fresh out of South Africa and jumping castles weren’t my experience. I called the company and they ensured me that all would be well, until I went over to see the Year 7 students having absolute fun. As I stood there, “things” started popping up all over the jumping castle. I was horrified to say the least. I literally screamed at the students to get off and louder at the operators to get the thing down. I have never lived that down and it causes my colleagues

much joy to remind me of it. I must say that I was relieved by Bert Langerak’s support as he told me to leave it to him, that he would contact the company and let them know that we would not be paying a cent.

The student leaders over the years have spent hours and hours, some during their summer holidays, visioning and organising many activities. Like morning prayer meetings where breakfast was served, assemblies (the Easter Assembly has always been a highlight), footy days, friendship days where students could buy a rose for a friend, cultural days where we celebrated many different cultures and small groups where students can have a safe space to talk and play. They have run the canteen at one stage and also raised thousands of dollars in support of many organisations like World Vision, the Cancer Council and Save the Children, to name a few. I guess the greatest joy is when you hear that students have given their lives to Jesus at these events. A number of other staff have also had the role and pleasure of leading the Senate over the years, and I am sure they would have the same warmth in their hearts as they look back and think about the groups they led. I have cherished getting to know these amazing students and our friendships that have lasted to this day.

RUTH WATERWORTH

Maranatha has been a treasured place for me for a significant part of my life; ten years as a student, even more years as a staff member. So if I crunch the numbers, I’ve been part of this community for more than half my life. As a student I have memories of feeling safe and secure, particularly in primary school. Staff like Mrs Kay Vandersluys, Ms Glenda Mattingley and Mrs Marilyn Dolling all showered us with love and care. I even remember having a sleepover at Mrs Vandersluys’ house with a group of friends from my class - those days are gone, but the positive memories and the warmth that the staff showed, lives on. The pastoral care was exceptional, even then. These experiences were part of my journey to becoming a

Psychologist and choosing a vocation that invested deeply into people’s lives.

I like to think about life through a relational lens with three types of relationships.

1. Our relationship with God

2. Our relationship with others, and

3. Our relationship with ourselves

Each of these relational spheres hold various challenges at various times for each of us. In our role in student counselling, we have the privilege of supporting students to work through these challenges. The emotional wellbeing of all our students is a priority at MCS, and we aim for each student to flourish in all three relational spheres.

At the end of each year, most staff get a thank you note, or two, from their students. I stumbled across one in particular that summed up student counselling pretty well. The card read,

“Dear Mrs Waterworth,

You have no idea what it meant to me to have someone to freely talk to, without judgement. I have been encouraged to see life in a different light, to put my trust wholly in God, and to let the small things go.”

This reminded me afresh of the value of offering an emotionally and spiritually safe place for students to process their experiences. I trust Maranatha Christian School will always be a community that offers exceptional pastoral care and student support.

BRIAN DA COSTA

I always look back at my involvement with Maranatha Christian School with great fondness, as it was a launching pad for my children. Each of them now enjoying and succeeding in the career they chose during their time at the school.

Being a Board Member was a special privilege to serve in matters of governance. When I was Chairman, I had a wonderful team that included Alan Crouch, Tammy Smith, Tony Zuiderwyk, Mark Gould, Michael Lawson, Gary Wentworth and Oliver Burmeister. They were all godly people committed to finding God’s will on each matter, and moving forward in unity. Matters were rarely, if ever, put to a vote.

A couple of events were special. I travelled to Adelaide to participate in the National Christian Schools Basketball Tournament as a coach and referee. I also had an extended catch-up with Mr Andrew McKenzie who was later appointed as Principal at Maranatha. I made a day trip to Maryborough for the athletics carnival, and took a picture of the school captain doing long jump, which turned out to be a fabulous action shot. The student came to a Board meeting on her birthday, so we sang happy birthday and gave her a print as a memento.

The process of finding a new site had been commenced by my predecessor David Ellis, and that was a stretching time for us all. We made inquiries and bids on several pieces of land which had the impact of driving prices up. We were all praying by a fence on one block, when a donkey on the other side of the fence came and joined us. We compared our visitor to Balaam’s donkey and wondered whether God had again given voice to an animal. That was the property we ultimately purchased in Officer.

MELISSA MILLAR

I have so many very fond memories of my time as a student at Maranatha, first at Doveton and then Endeavour Hills. Some of my precious memories from Doveton were being involved in the drumming marching band and getting to march around Robert Blackwood Hall, our school fetes and being able to dress up as a clown for one of them, and last but certainly not least, travelling to and from school on Mrs Humble’s bus was lots of fun.

When it came to choosing a school for my own children Maranatha was simply the obvious choice. I wanted my own children to experience the special schooling that Maranatha provides, a Christian community.

I am so thankful to God for my teaching position here at Maranatha. It is such a privilege to be able to share daily with the students about the love and care of our God. I so clearly remember the first time I was able to discuss the real meaning of Easter with my class. How powerful that time was. Having worked so long in other schools it was such a joy to finally be able to share something I hold so dear.

I will be forever grateful to the pioneers for being faithful to God leading and establishing this school. It has helped me to develop firm foundations and I pray that will continue for countless others, for many years to come.

CANDICE THORNTON

Moguls and Hot Chocolate

The Maranatha Ski Trip holds some incredible memories for me. From Year 7, right through High School, I was determined to go and it was often a highlight. Watching inexperienced skiers and snowboarders launch themselves from jumps designed for those with ten times their ability, the hot chocolate, being outdoors and the couple of days away from the classroom.

However, this story is more about what occurred after one particular school ski trip. I was in Year 8, and while I had done some skiing, I wouldn’t have called myself experienced. I still erred on the side of taking the beginner and intermediate slopes. Nevertheless, on this day I was summoned by a certain sport teacher who proceeded to tell me that I would become one of a team of four “athletes” that he would enter into the Victorian Schools’ Ski Championships. I think he could sense my hesitation and quickly he added, “You’ll be fine!” and that was it. Apparently, I was committed.

On the day the Championships were held, myself and three other unwitting student participants were bundled into a car and taken to Mt Buller. No formal training and no idea what we were in for.

Upon arrival, the scene resembled something out of ‘Cool Runnings’. The humble independent school versus the grammar schools of Victoria; with training camps and facilities on the mountain, whose students turned up in fullbody Lycra speed suits. In juxtaposition, we wore puffy oversized overalls – certainly not made for swiftness. In addition to this, all skiers were expected to wear helmets. The Grammar School skiers had tear-drop shaped headwear that made for an intimidating sight. None of us had thought to bring a helmet, except the sport teacher, who revealed 1980’s stack hats. Not beautiful and glossy and aerodynamic like our competitors; not even from the same decade I spent most of my youth. We were the ‘Jamaican Bobsled Team.’

The results of my turn at the equivalent of a Black (experienced) Run, with moguls and gates, was as to be expected. While I didn’t fall (of which I was rather proud) I was ushered off the course halfway down because I’d been timed out of the event. Needless to say, I didn’t qualify for the second round.

We all spent the rest of the day skiing leisurely, drinking hot chocolate and enjoying another day out at the snow. And while we didn’t have the equipment, nor the look of the other teams, I don’t think I would have enjoyed my schooling anywhere else quite as much as I did at Maranatha.

SUE CLEELAND

As a family, we have been involved with Maranatha since the mid 1990’s. Our son started the new year in Grade 6, with Mr Dave Gleeson as his teacher and being a keen drama student, Dave was the perfect teacher for him. Our second child began Maranatha in Grade 3 and our youngest in Prep. Each of our children flourished in the Maranatha atmosphere. All three have gone onto further education and are all employed in the education sector.

My husband and I quickly became involved in the Parents and Friends group. Through that involvement, we have made long lasting friendships. We have had the honour over many years to work with some very special teachers, parents and support staff. I have been employed at Maranatha for around twenty years in the Food Technology department, where I can indulge my passion in food. It has been an honour to serve the Maranatha community through influencing our future adults, feeding our hungry staff and catering for various groups. Our Maranatha community honours God, encourages professional and personal development of our children and all staff.

MARCUS KITCHEN

I was a student at Maranatha from Prep to Year 12, graduating in 1997 and my two sons, Micah and Jasper, now current students! Maranatha was an excellent school to attend and I have many fond memories of my time there. There were many wonderful teachers at Maranatha who would regularly impart great wisdom and encouragement to all of us. Their bible-centric teaching focus and God-like character provided an amazing atmosphere in which students could learn and grow together. The positive environment created by staff was reflected by the generally positive attitudes and comradery of the student body.

I particularly enjoyed the regular camping trips and excursions, especially the annual interschool sports camps at Maryborough. We certainly thrived on being one of the dominant Victorian Christian schools for sporting prowess.

Mr David Gleeson was no doubt a favourite teacher of many students over the years. As my Grade 4 teacher, he loved nothing more than reading us multiple book chapters each day. Whilst reading books like Waxing with Wayne, he would frequently be unable to complete sentences as he burst into fits of laughter! Often the jokes were well above our young heads, so by the time he composed himself we were often left wondering what was so funny. I really should buy those books now to find out!

GLYNIS ALLEY

I began teaching at Maranatha Christian School in 2000, six weeks after migrating from South Africa. The blessings were immediate and profuse; how wonderful it was to hear the narrative of how this school was established by the sheer persistence, resilience and vision of the founding Dutch families who identified the need for a school to cater for their children. I never tire hearing of that story because it is a testimony to remain true to the calling to which God has called each one of us. I am sure that at times there were obstacles which appeared insurmountable but each of these founding families “held their nerve”, and today the

community benefits from the diverse curriculum and the committed and passionate Staff on all three campuses.

I have had the privilege of teaching many different classes and subjects, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them all. One learns so much from students; their interpretations, perceptions and joie de vivre. The Year 7 presentations of their countries of origin were always a highlight, and made us realise how different we all are and yet how similar. The excursions to the beach to test longshore drift or attending the presentation on Hitler’s Daughter were all so very good. Apart from this there were also the obligatory dissections conducted by the Year 11 students, who were meticulous and accurate – for some it was a little confronting. The many Year 11 and 12 camps, and the opportunities to share the love of God while connecting with students in an informal setting remains a treasured memory. The Community Service program to the Aged Care Facility in Doveton is an eye-opener and a blessing. Over the years mentoring a few Year 12 students continues to be an immense privilege. I remember being asked by one of my mentorees to help her shop for the accessories for the Valedictory Dinner – whilst I enjoyed the outing I did not feel overly confident since we are of differing generations but all ended well.

Maranatha; “The Lord is coming” or the “Lord has come” depending on the translation – I believe that the Lord “comes” daily by displaying His grace and favour on us as a school community and He will continue to do so as He promises in His Word (Deuteronomy 31:6).

I firmly believe that the best is yet to be (Job 42:12(a)) for Maranatha Christian School and I hope God willing, to continue to be a part of this amazing school.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

PETER REPSE

As a Prep to Year 12 graduate of Maranatha (1994-2006), and a current staff member (started 2011), it would be fair to say I have spent most of my life involved with our school. People often ask me, “Why did you choose to work at the school you went to?” The answer is simple. I really valued my time at Maranatha as a student, so why would I want to work anywhere else?

This place is filled with great memories of antics with friends and teachers, but no more poignant than those forged at carnivals. If you have ever read the Year 12 Churinga ‘best memories’ from the early 2000s, you will see a myriad of responses that say just one word, ‘Maryborough’. The iconic three day sporting carnival was many a student’s most enjoyable athletic experience. Three days of hanging out with your friends and competing in athletics and swimming. It was a recipe for fun, as well as a lot of mischief. Needless to say there are a lot of stories involving water bombs, tent sabotage and boxing matches. Just chat to someone who graduated from Maranatha while the Maryborough Sports meet was still running.

As memorable as Maryborough was, the current CSEN athletic program has allowed students to have access to significantly better facilities and improved overall performance. Additionally, students now have the opportunity to compete at a national level, which has been an amazing opportunity for many of our high achievers.

To me, sporting carnivals have always been a great time of competition, friendship and comradery. I hope to see students continuing to value these memorable occasions as Maranatha presses ahead and beyond.

RYAN WYTKAMP

I spent my entire Primary and Secondary education at Maranatha, and how I saw Maranatha then to how I see it now is vastly different. It was discovered early on in my education that I had a learning difficulty, especially in English. I repeated Prep and was placed into Education Support to assist my learning needs. Twice a week I went to this cute little space with a few tables and a computer. At the time I felt different from the other students. However, I was a chirpy and happy kid and quite social. I graduated from Ed Support but I didn’t realise how much I had repressed those feelings of difference. When Year 12 came to an end, I didn’t see the mark that I expected and it almost destroyed me. Because of this I thought I had received a terrible education.

Through my time at Maranatha the amount of care that the staff and teachers had for me and the other Ed Support kids was really powerful. At this point I felt compelled to buy flowers for every single one of my Ed Support teachers at the end of Year 12.

What happens in Learning Support is that they celebrate every small thing, and when students are faced with the feeling of failure in their dayto-day lives, you need people to champion those little things. Now, in my work as a Teacher’s Aide, I like to celebrate every little achievement, because you cannot assume that children always have love and support. What makes me realise why I am so thankful for Maranatha’s education is because they loved me. God is having me do for these students what Maranatha did for me. He has used my inadequacies for the betterment of other people. The experiences I received from

2005

Building of Officer Campus with Mr David Gleeson appointed as Head of Campus.

2006

Officer Campus officially opened.

2006 Administration Center at Doveton Campus opened

2007

Mr Vernon Clark appointed Acting Principal.

2008

Mr Vernon Clark appointed as Principal of Maranatha. New Classroom Building in the ‘Circle’ at Officer Campus opened.

2009

Multipurpose Building at Officer Campus opened.

BEGINNINGS - OFFICER

Maranatha Christian School constructed its third campus on a nineteen acre site on Rix Road in Officer, and was officially opened on 28th of February 2006. It catered for almost one hundred students from Prep to Year 7.

From the turning of the first sod to the scheduled happy day of excited students arriving on the start of the school year, was a mere fourteen weeks, but this was only achieved by intense prayer, amazing effort and outstanding co-operation from many volunteers and trades people. Mr David Gleeson (who started his teaching career in 1987 at Doveton Campus, then transferred to Endeavour Hills) was the Head of the new Officer Campus and also the Year 7 teacher. He believed that the most significant aspect of the Officer Campus was its sense of belonging and community.

Officer Campus began with four classrooms and one other building that housed the reception and library. The brain behind the circular classrooms was architect Mr Warren Van Damme. He deliberately designed the classrooms to appear like little cottages, to create a feeling of togetherness and belonging. Yet as the numbers on the campus grew it extended to other buildings, making it not so much like cottages, but still keeping to the theme of being attractive and welcoming. It eventually extended into the administration section and ultimately grew the library block.

Maranatha received ‘Building Education Revolution Funding’ that was divided between the Doveton and Officer Campuses. As a result of this, Officer built a gym. It became very

2010

Multipurpose Hall at Doveton Campus opened.

2013

2014

Dr Roderick Crouch appointed as Principal at Maranatha..

2016

Dr Roderick Crouch resigns as Principal at Maranatha.

Mr Bill Jackson appointed Principal at Maranatha.

Resource Center Stage 1 at Officer Campus opened.

Performing Arts Center Officer Campus opened.

ELC at Officer Campus opened.

ELC Doveton Campus opened.

effective as the finished product held extra classroom space, teachers’ offices and a double indoor basketball court. The other significant building was the Performing Arts studios; again designed by Mr Warren Van Damme with valuable input by Mrs Kathryn Powys and Mrs Nicole Liddle. It has become a significant building because it created a space for assemblies, performances and individual music tuition.

Throughout the majority of construction the campus received consistently heavy rain after many years of drought, and was suddenly struggling with surface water. So getting playing fields established in what was the back paddock, was a real effort. Eventually Officer had to place soil and crushed rock to make pathways out towards the construction because of the surface water.

For a number of years the continuing building programs undertaken were admittedly inconvenient but also brought joy because each new addition enabled the facilities to expand.

2018

Plans for a new double story Junior School building on the Endeavour Hills Campus.

2020

Maranatha Christian School celebrates it’s 50th anniversary.

Doveton Campus sold and the Junior school moved to Endeavour Hills Campus.

The Junior School Building at Endevour Hills Campus opened.

The Senior School Building at Endeavour Hills Campus opened.

The outdoor court dome at Endeavour Hills Campus opened.

DAVE GLEESON

The official Opening Ceremony of the Officer Campus seems a long, long, long time ago. It seems so long ago that it’s risky to recall details; so, while the details are sketchy, the feelings are remembered.

Long before the Opening Ceremony was even thought about, there was a distinct feeling among the staff and families who had committed to be part of this remarkable work. There is no doubt that the feeling in the lead up was excited anticipation. If you were part of that pioneering party of parents in 2006 you will recall the buzz. It was nervous hope.

It is true that the parents were nervous, but their nervousness was reinforced by hopeful expectation. They were people of hope, and that was why they committed their children to be pioneers at the new campus.

Perhaps you remember the members of that small but influential group who led the decision making at the time; that is, Maranatha’s Senior Management Team. The Principal, the Business Manager, and the three heads of campus. These senior staff had a vested interest (or was it a desperate interest!) in the new campus succeeding. In their view, there was no other option but trusting the Lord would bless this work and make it fully His own.

The whole community of Maranatha had feelings about the opening of Officer. Some were indifferent, others were invested; passionately invested. Throughout the entire school everyone had an opinion.

The Opening Ceremony itself was held in the late afternoon and went through to early evening. It was pleasant weather, a lovely evening. I vividly recall a child running barefoot on the deep green instant-turf that had just been put down. The memory of those bare feet shows it must have been a warm enough evening for bare feet in cool grass.

The memory that the grass had been laid indicates that the ceremony was not held early in the first weeks of the campus opening. On opening, the ground around the buildings was dust; or mud! In fact, after months of drought, it rained on that first Officer school day. The whirling dust turned to sticky sludge and I clearly recall scraping clinging clay from children’s shoes through that first school day’s afternoon.

Preparing for Officer’s opening ceremony meant researching and replicating before rehearsing and revising. This was because we decided to honour the format of Maranatha’s original opening ceremony from 1970 by replicating that ceremony’s design.

Classes started on that very first schoolday in February 2006, with four class groups. A Prep class, a multi-level Grade 1, 2, 3 class, another multi-level Grade 4, 5, 6 class, and a Year 7 class. There was great enthusiasm!

As the school year progressed and we settled into a rhythm of learning, the feeling would best be described as:

Belonging - as the teachers learned to love their learners, the feeling became:

Discipleship - and as that hardest of hard school years ended, we reflected on our accomplishments as a campus, and we celebrated:

Excellence - it was a good feeling in a good team, in a good place, under the leadership of a good God.

KIRSTEN BRICE

In late 2005 I was blessed to become part of the pioneering teaching team for Maranatha’s Officer site, which was to open in January/February 2006.

As a former Maranatha student from the 80’s and early 90’s, my connection to Maranatha was long and deep, and it was with pride that in 2006 not only did I join the staffing team, but my son Kaleb became one of the pioneering Grade Prep students at Officer. It was very exciting to be part of Maranatha’s new history. As a staff member, the pioneering days at the Officer site were very busy, often unpredictable but always blessed at every turn. Lead by the visionary Mr David Gleeson, Maranatha Officer was always a place where people were valued, greeted warmly and invited to develop a rich sense of belonging. The early days were most certainly marked by Dave’s keen desire to develop a culture of inclusion, a culture he continued to develop in his years of service here. As staff we wanted to know and be closely connected with everyone; parents, students, younger or older siblings and even grandparents.

My fondest memories of 2006-2008 would have to include the excitement of watching buildings be erected by the Lord’s provision through generous grants, random and untimed visits from neighbouring cattle, Mr Gleeson walking the site with his violin in hand playing for children who thought he was simply magical, and of course realising we were creating a new history for Maranatha every time we did something for the first time on our site.

Maranatha is a very special school. At any one of the sites, you’ll find a community with hearts and arms open to welcome you and share the love of Christ with you and your family. Fundamental to our role as Christian educators is to use exemplary education to continually point our students’ young hearts to their heavenly creator who loves them with a perfect love. Many years on from that exciting beginning, the heartbeat of the Officer site has always been the same; a place that seeks to encourage one another in their relationship with Jesus by reflecting his love and by being His hands and feet.

KATHRYN POWYS

I started working at Maranatha the same year the Officer Campus opened (2006), and remained there for nine years. It was a privilege to be alongside other staff as we built a new campus. One of the most humorous moments occurred during my second year when I was called out of my office to help chase stray cows off our property. Back then, we were not nicknamed “The Farm” campus for nothing!

But my fondest memories are of working with the talented, enthusiastic and hard-working students as we worked creatively together. We began productions in the campus’ second year with “Oliver”, and after Nicole Liddle also joined our staff team, we produced two musicals per year (Primary and Secondary). These productions were always highlights - “Oklahoma”, “Mulan”, “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Beauty and the Beast”, just to name a few. Even though a production is a lot of work, we strived to ensure that joy and an element of ‘play’ were core features of our task. I also really enjoyed leading the Jazz Band, and want to again thank that dedicated bunch of people who arrived at school at 7:15am every Tuesday morning so we could practise!

I will always value my time at Maranatha because of the people who I worked with, students who I thoroughly enjoyed teaching and staff who mentored me and taught me to love Christian Education.

Even though a production is a lot of work, we strived to ensure that joy and an element of ‘play’ were core features of our task.

MARGARET EDGAR

In 1983-84 our daughters Wendy, Tracy and Kristy all became students at Maranatha Christian School. From 2006, four of our grandchildren, Samuel, Tobin, Jemma and Brooke, also joined the Maranatha family at the Officer campus.

When the Officer campus was opened in 2006, it was suggested that a piece of the site be put aside for a garden in which the children could play. Fences were built, and a cubby house for the hen house, seats and veggie beds were all generously donated. Over the years many items have been recycled and given to the garden, and accepted with great thanks!

In 2012 there was a notice in the school newsletter looking for someone to help in the Officer campus garden. It caught my attention and l knew this was God’s plan for me. Jemma, who was in Grade 2 at the time, thought it would be a good idea too. When I began I had the pleasure of working with Mrs Francine Davy, a teacher who was also responsible for student classes in the garden. She was an inspiration, very passionate about our environment, and loved encouraging the students about nature, animals and insects.

The staff at the Officer Campus are very encouraging and use the garden for lots of different activities. Thursday is my day for working in the garden, when I also catch up with students. I can always find things for us to do. One of the ELC groups comes into the garden for a play time every Thursday and it’s lovely to see them having so much fun.

Planting, and watching the seeds and seedlings grow, is always exciting and rewarding. We have had lots of veggies grow and several chickens lay eggs over the years. We have two hens at present; Midnight and Marshmallow. Students can handle the chickens and collect the eggs. In 2019, we had heaps of the most beautiful tasting figs. They were yummy! Lots of students and adults tasted figs for the very first time!

Thanks to the support from Mr. Hamilton, over the years we have managed to get rid of a massive amount of weeds, replacing them with mulch that is now a great playing area. The students enjoy building cubbies with branches, wood and rocks. They are encouraged to look after

one another and share everything. Speaking of sharing, we also have wild rabbits who enjoy digging and eating some of our plants when we are not around!

Thank you to our Heavenly Father for His guidance over the school community for the years that have passed and for the years ahead. Thank you to all who have given their time, interest and loving care to the Maranatha school family. We are thankful our children and grandchildren have had the privilege of attending Maranatha Christian School, and it has been a privilege for

TAMARA BOAG

The first musical I saw for Maranatha was Seussical. I went to see it just after my job interview and because I knew I was getting the job, I thought it would be a good idea to go and have a quick look. Mr Dave Gleeson, Mrs Kathryn Powys and Mrs Nicki Liddle were responsible for that year’s musical, and it was so inspiring to see the love of the arts through a school that it made my decision to accept the job at Maranatha so much easier.

I loved introducing the world of musicals to the students through our end of the year Performing Arts weeks. I remember performing “America” from West Side Story with some of the kids and having them dance on the tables to “Naughty” out of Matilda. Those weeks were something amazing.

For me the memories and experiences that stay with me the most is when I get to watch it all come together. There was a moment during Calamity Jane where the leads, Sam Grant and Emma Berry, were on stage performing, and everybody side of stage was dancing along with them. It was awesome because although they weren’t on stage everyone had learnt every song and every dance. It’s those sorts of things that you share with them and it lightens your heart when you realise you’re a team.

As a team we pull these productions off. The Year 11 and 12s, the leads and the ensemble - we come together, we pull this off, and we get it to the end! And even though everything is running through my head at a thousand miles an hour, I couldn’t do it without them, and they couldn’t do it without me, so it’s a team effort all round. We have all grown over the last years and establishing the Arts in this school is something truly amazing. Our musicals are something talked about not only at our school but in other schools. We have established ourselves as a team that works well together, are able to have fun and keep a positive energy. This is something of which I am tremendously proud.

CHERYL POUSTIE

The ‘Nature and Outdoor Play’ - Campus: Officer’s Early Years.

The staff member is rugged up against the piercing north easterly wind blowing in from the Mt Baw Baw National Park and Dandenong Ranges. Yard duty at the Officer Campus becomes a quasi-rural experience. By February the same duty evinces hot and smoky gusts as she looks across the parched ovals of students playing, to the plume of smoke arising from the northerly ranges where fire threatens the outer suburbs of Melbourne, home to some of our campus’ families.

Officer Campus, in its first decade as both a Primary and Secondary campus, offered a creative outdoor play and study space. Year 4 students physically dived into ‘trench warfare’ to learn about ANZAC history in trenches initiated by teacher Mr Jeffrey Douglass and groundsman Mr Robert (‘Hammo’) Hamilton. With the simple beauty of natural paddocks freely shaped by tractor and excavation, the students don costume and under the keen direction of an informed teacher, experiential and memorable kinaesthetic learning occurs.

Secondary students had acres to enjoy. The freedom of isolation to chat mid-way across a huge oval. The space to create, and freedom to throw flour, in the ‘Colour run’ for a fundraiser. The paddocks on which to pitch tents and practise trangia cooking for Outdoor Education classes.

Similarly, the younger children roamed the widespread grounds, playing on a range of physical landscapes. ‘The hill’ edging the southern border of the ovals facilitates rolling, sitting, running. And staff? We wander, view, reflect, and supervise! The tree and scrub-lined boundaries offer softened fence lines to observe the neighbouring horses and goats, farmers and more landscapes. Grade 5/6 students more recently enjoy the obstacle course built for them in the trees. The younger children made ‘worlds’

for outdoor toy play or clambered on the lower branches in natural exploration, aspects now celebrated as ‘Nature based play’ in leading research on best practice childhood education.

The ‘magical’ garden so endearingly envisioned and implemented by Mrs Francine Davey and Mrs Margaret Edgar, provided such a magnet to engagement in the natural world that students were rostered to play, such was its popularity. Lush gardens, expansive sandpit, creative studentproduced garden artworks, including scarecrows and eventually cubby-building and natural climbing equipment all held their trance over young minds and bodies. What a privilege yard duty became, from ‘the hill’!

Alternatively, at least one staff car suffered when “my car’s suspension was wrecked by (the severely rutted, unmade, ‘rural’) Rix Road.”

For another member of staff, “I caught the train and had to walk along the dirt roads. When it rained they were super muddy! I bought a pair of gumboots so I could wear them to walk to school, then I would change into my work shoes for the day.”

However, for most of us, we wouldn’t have missed it!

The first decade of Officer Campus offered the best of two worlds. It was a ‘rural’ school campus

with attributes of play, evincing connotations of a by-gone childhood freedom, a working and learning environment informed by up to date educational practices and a community rich with personalities and collaborative teacher and parent partnerships and camaraderie.

“...for most of us, we wouldn’t have missed it!”

JACQUI MONK

When I was teaching in England in the 90s, and knew we were coming back to live in Melbourne, my husband and I wanted a Christian School for our children (there weren’t many Christian schools back then). I contacted my friend Sue Cleeland and she told me about Maranatha Christian School. We enrolled our children in 1994 and they completed VCE in 2001/2002. I was extremely impressed with the teachers and the Christian impact they had on both of them, which was life changing. Our now adult children are committed Christians, our grandchild attends the school and my husband served on the Board from 1999 to 2001.

In 2012 I joined Maranatha Christian School as a Coordinator of Education Support at the Doveton site. In 2014 I became Head of the Department to oversee Education Support on all three sites.

I had extremely positive experiences at Maranatha. We had amazing committed, qualified, passionate learning support staff at all three sites, who wanted each student to reach their God given potential. I was blessed to be a part of this amazing team. It was wonderful seeing students being assisted with their work and experiencing success. Success breeds success.

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”

Proverbs 23:7

We now know with the science of neuroplasticity, the brain is amazing and can be rewired, and especially with God’s help with positive experiences, this gives hope for all.

We understood that some of our students encountered many challenges, especially our students with additional needs. With God’s wisdom, and working in partnership with students, parents, staff and when appropriate specialists we know that all things work together for good.

“We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purposes.” Romans 8:8.

I was blessed to teach at a Christian school, where we could be reminded of God’s promise.

CALEB GRANT

My father said, after working as a missionary and pastor, that it takes a village to raise a child, not just a family. Our village is the Maranatha community, in which we live and walk in grace, and are accountable as Christ was for us. We educate, encourage and grow our community, as parents, students and visitors of our community. Jesus reminds us to be wise ‘smart, intelligent’ like serpents, and harmless ‘caring, kind’ like doves.

I take great pride in knowing that the foundation of Maranatha is based around us working together. A three-strand cord is not easily broken, so the success of working with Family, the Church and the School will see us all succeed.

We often look forward to so much in life, like the newest IT (Information Technology) and sometimes we forget to look back when we or our kids were anxious, stressed, scared or excited. By looking back we can actually dream of and develop a better future. We can teach ourselves or someone else in the process, using Information Technology. Ask yourself ‘Where was God while I was facing that situation, while I was doing that thing. Would it make Him proud of my thoughts, words or actions?’

I am reminded of Information Technology. I believe the lesson we need to learn is ‘In my mind, do I let technology rule me?’ Picture Jesus next to you. Would you look at that image or video or listen to that music if He were there? What would you do?

We are influenced by how we use IT with Christ beside us.

TANYA FLETCHER

“I’m not defeated by my weakness but delighted! For when I feel my weakness and endure mistreatment— when I’m surrounded with troubles on every side and face persecution because of my love for Christ – I am made yet stronger. For my weakness becomes a portal [a doorway] to God’s power.” 2 Cor 12:10 TPT

We stand in a pivotal moment, looking back 70 years with thankful hearts at what we stand upon as a school community, and looking forward into what is being heralded by many prophets as a new era for the church worldwide - where the Light will shine brilliantly in the darkness, like a diamond displayed against black velvet. As a community, we are being asked some vital questions – often by people who are deeply hurting.

• Why a Christian school, Christian teachers, Christian culture?

• Aren’t we all a bit weird, out of touch and determined to live in an unrealistic bubble?

• Aren’t we all homophobic (afraid of people who are gay)?

• Isn’t it obvious that the old ways don’t work, having damaged us beyond measure as we have failed to protect our children from sexual abuse?

In this moment - what do we stand for? We need to be like Jacob, who wrestled with God. We who are often afraid and in hiding; a bit like Gideon making bread in a winepress. Yet, like Gideon, God sees our true identity as mighty warriors, destined to rise up and lead our society into a great victory; hearts with knowledge of God’s love. The good news is that, like Jacob and Gideon, we don’t need to have all the answers; we just need to know intimately the One who does, allowing ourselves to become doorways for His power. It’s not just about what we stand for; it’s Who we stand with. What do we stand upon? We stand upon the shoulders of our pioneer families; upon the rock of the Reformed vision of incarnational living, being a covenantal learning community, which recognises Christ as present in all of life. We are a safe place to make mistakes, learn and grow together in love.

What do we carry into this new era? We carry the seed of reformation (not life in a bubble) preparing our children to take their place in contemporary society, where God has called them to make a difference. This is a long range vision, beyond (church) renewal and (evangelical) revival to a society transformed, where a loving God is reflected in every placearchitecture, music, how we do business, how we educate, how we govern. This vision not captured in any single political party’s platform, populist world view or church doctrine:

• We must advocate for justice for the poor –as well as the unborn

• We must steward the earth - as well as strong families

• We are called to welcome the refugee - as well as promote strong communities

• We are called to love all who are hurting and traumatised - as well as pursue holy living

• Our children, grandchildren and their future generations need to be made ready, requiring our utmost for His glory.

Maranatha: Our Lord has come. Come Lord!

JOEL POPPENBECK

As a family, we have had the privilege of being a part of Maranatha Christian School. Mum was a student from Prep onwards, while her dad was involved in the early days of constructing and establishing the school. Naturally my siblings, Loren, Caleb and myself followed suit and attended as students.

Looking back, it really was a privilege. Though as students it probably wasn’t the first adjective we chose! But I’ve learnt the reality that it is a huge privilege to be educated in a world where many go without. It is also a privilege to do so in a Christian environment, where opportunities for faith to be encouraged and nurtured are aplenty.

With different opportunities comes different responses. I’ll be honest and confess I often tuned out during morning devotions and assemblies. However, I received opportunities to lead worship and be a part of musical items, which definitely resonated with my slow-growing faith. And while I tried to play it cool, it was always captivating to hear teachers share their stories of faith and witness their daily example of following Jesus.

Through a variety of ways, seeds were sown into my life. No method is ever a sure guarantee of success, but I have grown to believe the message is. Therefore, we need to create and take as many opportunities as we can to share the good news and nurture seeds of faith.

So it continues to be a privilege to be a part of the community. Through Schoolies Rev, we have been offering an alternative option for schoolies, and students receive another opportunity. A chance for students to grow their understanding of the world and also themselves while on our mission trips to either Uganda or Cambodia. It has been special to see many students take part, and we pray it has had a positive impact in contributing to God’s Kingdom and this great school community.

SARAH KAPRANOV

My first involvement with Maranatha Christian School was as a prep student at the Doveton campus over seventeen years ago. I clearly remember my Mum decorating my chair bag, writing my name with a glitter pen. Fast forward, I now find myself back at Maranatha Christian School as a Secondary teacher, ordering the same delicious chicken wraps from the canteen and teaching in the same classrooms where I once sat as a student. I feel blessed to be able to say all my school years were spent at Maranatha, as it holds such a close place in my heart. My parents saw the importance and power of Christian Education and Maranatha has always represented a safe, supportive and Christ-like

environment. Maranatha Christian School is not just a place interested in educating students, but on developing individuals holistically to reach the full potential in who God designed them to be. For fourteen years, I got to be part of a school that poured love, encouragement and resilience into me and inspired me to be the person I am today. Now it is my absolute privilege to be a part of the community that is raising an educated, resilient and faith filled generation.

‘My parents saw the importance and power of Christian Education and Maranatha has always represented a safe, supportive and Christ-like environment.’

BRYCE GIBSON

I went to Maranatha from Prep to Year 12. It was such an incredible environment in which to grow! I will always treasure the memories I made in the Music and Drama department. In Primary school I was in the show “Acorns to Oaks”, and then in Grade 6, I got to play the lead character in the Junior school production of “God’s Plan of Salvation.”

Heading into Secondary at Maranatha, the first Senior School production I became a part of was “Dear Edwina”. I was so excited to be cast as the character Billy, even though I was only in Year 7. Dear Edwina was such an amazing show, my favourite song from the musical being “Put it in the Piggy”, where we all got to wear these hilarious pig hats! Some of the other productions I became involved in were “When Musical Worlds Collide”, playing Pumba from “The Lion King”, “High School Musical”, “Circus Bizurcus”, “The Good Person of Szechuan”, and finally my last show with Maranatha, “Hot Mikado”; my favourite by far. I was so lucky to be able to play the lead of Koko, which was such an amazing role to play to finish off my time at Maranatha.

Being a part of such a passionate team of people in the Music and Drama department really shaped me into the person I am today. Mr Craig Minty and Mrs Tamara Boag were very influential and great mentors to me during my time at Maranatha. Their passion and knowledge helped me grow as a performer and I will be forever thankful to them.

I am currently studying a Bachelor of Contemporary Music; majoring in Voice, at the Australian Institute of Music. I am also working as a singing teacher with The Young Australian Broadway Chorus. I’ve been very lucky to have played the role of Jean Valjean in “Les Misérables”, with Stage School Australia, and most recently appearing in “Kinky Boots”, with Cardinia Performing Arts Company.

JEANNIE CRISPIN

To join the Maranatha school community is like trying to run into a skipping game with the rope turning continuously, and with you having to run courageously into the fray, jumping madly until you gain your rhythm and are able to settle into the steady but relentless swing of things. So it was in 2008 when I re-joined the teaching profession and became a secondary school classroom teacher at the Endeavour Hills site. I worked alongside some of the legends of Maranatha Christian School, Mr Warren Breninger, Mr Howard Ham, Mr Murray Lancaster, Mr Bruce Park and Mrs Pearl Subban with Mr Vernon Clark as the then school Principal. Maranatha ran like the Christian equivalent of the school-next-door, with a robust, ethnically diverse student population. The new site at Officer adding a somewhat colourful and diversionary branch of what was a wellestablished and growing community.

Over a decade of time Maranatha edged towards a more nuanced space in the increasingly niched educational landscape. The relaxed uniform was up-marketed with a compulsory blazer and tie, the grounds took on a more intensively manicured design and the staff were all invited to participate in a Harvard University ‘Teaching for Understanding’ course.

Staff continued to think through the curriculum and changing study designs in order to find new ways in which to draw thinking into a Christian framework, where ideas and practice were all seamlessly taught as part of the great story of God. Staff have also been crazy-fun as colleagues and friends, finding the delicate balance between a suitably professional approach and a carefree, wild edginess that all children of God should rightly have.

Students of course, continued to delight and frustrate. They came, partook, were strengthened and empowered, they matured and sought wisdom, they rebelled and challenged, they responded, they worked, they procrastinated, they dreamed, they thought and they fought. And we the staff are all the richer for them, for it is their journeys that we join with our own and it is the school which supports them in this season of their lives.

In looking back, so much has changed in such a short while. The tools of our trade are now embedded and almost irreversibly entwined with ICT. Compliance, risk assessments and safe practices are second nature. The demands are more immediate, the insurgencies upon our time

are constant, the benchmarks appear higher, but it is the students who continue to be our joy and our passion. Young, restless, inquiring, hurting, longing, hoping and enthusiastic humans to love and to be loved by.

I have been deeply strengthened and challenged during my ten plus years at Maranatha.

The School punches well above its weight and is a jewel amongst the plethora of Christian schools nation-wide.

No matter where the future of Maranatha takes

There is a joy in the journey

There’s a light we can love on the way

There is a wonder and wildness to life

And freedom for those who obey

And all those who seek it shall find it

A pardon for all who believe

Hope for the hopeless and sight for the blind

To all who’ve been born of the Spirit

And who share incarnation with Him

Who belong to eternity stranded in time

And weary of struggling with sin

Forget not the hope that’s before you

And never stop counting the cost

Remember the hopelessness when you were lost

REBECCA STARCHENKO

My connection with Maranatha began when I was in Grade 4. My parents were very excited to send my two brothers and myself to a local Christian school. My teacher was Mrs Greenwood and Mr Joe Belousoff was Head of Primary at Doveton. Ever since, Maranatha has held a very special place in my heart. I remember graduating in Year 12 and feeling a sense of sadness; as if I was leaving behind an old faithful friend.

After graduating from university I met my husband, who also happened to be a past Maranatha student. Sometime later while working as an Early Childhood teacher, I came to hear that Maranatha was opening an Early Learning Centre. I immediately applied for the position and was successful.

I was very fortunate to have been involved in the planning and development process for our wonderful Early Learning Centre. From choosing colours, aspects of design for the building and yard, to purchasing all equipment, resources and furniture. Mrs Claire Robins and I worked closely together to develop all policies and procedures, as well as a curriculum that provides an all inclusive, biblical educational experience that nurtures each precious child to reach their full potential.

Some of my favourite memories at Doveton ELC that I shared with my co-educator Yvonne DeKretser would have to be…

• Mother’s Day morning teas and Father’s Day nights, where we pampered and spoiled our families, serving and demonstrating our love for them.

• Our Christmas concerts were truly memorable, when thinking back to how excited the children were to share the story of Christ’s birth to their families and loved ones each year.

• We love to be a part of our wider community, so when possible we would make the journey to the Primary school; holding onto our safety rope and wearing our reflective safety vests. It was a very exciting experience to visit the “big school” for our little people. We also enjoyed visiting Myuna farm and learning all about growing and looking after vegetables and animals.

We are fortunate to have such a wonderful partnership with our families. Each year I am truly thankful for the love and devotion that is shown towards one another. This is what I think sets Maranatha apart. We are a community that truly cares for each other.