Principal's Message

As we turn the calendar to November, I am grateful for another full month at CRCS. October brought opportunities to celebrate, learn, worship, and grow together. It also gave us an opportunity to step back and reflect on the work that happens every day throughout our school.

One of the significant events this past month was our external Ministry inspection. Every six years, independent schools undergo an external evaluation by the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care. I am excited to share that our inspection went very well. While we walked away with a few areas of learning and opportunities for continued growth, the overall feedback affirmed the strong systems, practices, and policies that are in place throughout CRCS.

Our auditors specifically commended the school for our focus on connection and community through the JOMO project, the organization and management of our office and Inclusive Education filing systems, and the strong sense of community they observed among our teaching staff, non-teaching staff, and administration. They noted the way our staff support one another and contribute to the social-emotional wellness of our school community.

This kind of feedback represents years of faithful work behind the scenes. A huge thank you goes to our Board, office team, Inclusive Education department, teachers, Educational Assistants, and all of our staff who work year after year to maintain high standards while continuing to care deeply for our students and families. An inspection may happen once every six years, but the work that makes it successful happens every day.

Growing as Educators - On October 23, our teachers and Educational Assistants participated in professional development opportunities alongside other educators from across British Columbia. Staff took part in POPARD and MYPITA sessions covering a wide variety of topics, including digital literacy and artificial intelligence, ocean science, outdoor education, supporting student regulation, Indigenous approaches to education, and developing executive functioning skills.

Professional development gives our staff an opportunity to continue learning, reflect on their practice, and bring new ideas and strategies back into our classrooms. I am thankful for a staff team that continues to approach learning with curiosity and a desire to grow.

Missions and Service - This year, we are excited to begin expanding our focus on missions and service at CRCS. Plans are underway for an international missions trip to Tanzania, along with a more local YWAM trip, providing students with an opportunity to serve, learn, and experience God's work in another part of the world.

At the same time, we recognize that mission begins right here at home. This year we are also planning a school-wide Service Week where our students will have opportunities to step outside the walls of CRCS and give back to our local community. Our hope is that these opportunities help students see service not simply as something we do on a special trip or during a particular week, but as part of what it means to live faithfully as disciples of Christ.

Learning and Assessment - During October, our Grade 4 and Grade 7 students participated in the Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA). The FSA is an annual province-wide assessment that provides parents, teachers, schools, and the Ministry of Education and Child Care with information about student progress in the foundational skills of literacy and numeracy.

Assessment is one of the tools we use to better understand student learning. Combined with the daily observations and assessments happening in our classrooms, this information helps us identify areas of strength as well as opportunities where we can continue supporting student growth.

Staffing Update - We are pleased to welcome Garth Morison as one of our bus drivers. While we continue to search for a full-time driver, we are very grateful for Garth’s willingness to step in and help support our students and families. His assistance has been greatly appreciated as we continue working toward a longer-term solution for our transportation needs.

We also recently received the news that we will be saying goodbye to Mrs. Smith at the end of December. Mrs. Smith has been an amazing part of our elementary team, and while we will miss her dearly, we are incredibly thankful for the time we have had with her at CRCS. She has brought so much care, dedication, and encouragement to our students and staff, and we are grateful for the positive impact she has made within our school community.

In early December, we will also be saying goodbye to Mr. Welsh, our Lead Custodian. Mr. Welsh has faithfully served CRCS for many years, and his contribution to our school extends far beyond the important work he has done in caring for our facilities. He has positively impacted many students, staff members, and families during his time with us. We wish him well and pray for God’s provision and direction as he begins his next journey.

Stay tuned for details about an upcoming celebration where we will have the opportunity to honour Mr. Welsh for his many years of faithful service to CRCS and recognize the lasting impact he has had on our school community.

Celebrating October - October also provided many opportunities to gather together as a school community. We celebrated our all-school Thanksgiving Chapel, taking time together to recognize God's provision and faithfulness.

Our Grade 8–12 students had the opportunity to watch the new Daniel and the Fiery Furnace movie and then hear from local filmmaker Daniel Kooman during a follow-up chapel. It was a unique opportunity for our students to connect the biblical story they had just watched with someone involved in bringing that story to the screen.

We finished the month with Fall Fest, hosted by our Leadership students. It was another great opportunity for our students to build community, have fun together, and celebrate the fall season.

Looking Ahead to November - November will bring another full month of learning and community at CRCS. We begin with our Remembrance Day Chapel on November 3, providing an opportunity for our school community to remember those who have served and sacrificed and to reflect together on the importance of peace.

On November 16, our teaching staff will participate in another Professional Development Day. One of our primary areas of focus will be the First Peoples Principles of Learning and how we can more intentionally incorporate these principles into our teaching practices. We will also spend time strengthening our understanding of the BC Core Competencies and how they are reflected in student learning across our classrooms.

As I look back at October and ahead to November, I continue to be thankful for the people who make CRCS such a special community. Whether through teaching, supporting students, volunteering, serving, leading, praying, or simply showing up each day with a willingness to help, each person contributes to the work God is doing within our school.

A verse that captures this season of learning, service, and community comes from Colossians:

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” — Colossians 3:17 (ESV)

May this continue to shape the way we learn, serve, lead, and care for one another in the month ahead.

Blessings in Christ!

Dennis Peeman

Principal