A Silent Army

By Dr Bryan Cowling

Executive Director

There could be one in your parish, there might even be more.  And you might not even know what they do!  I’m referring to the four-hundred and sixty two people who serve on the boards and councils of our forty Anglican schools.  As a Diocese, we are extremely grateful for the faithful, frequently invisible, support which these good folk have made and are continuing to make to Anglican schooling.

A meeting was held recently at Trinity Grammar School at which the Archbishop thanked 120 of these people. He spoke about the important role which they play in setting policy directions, choosing principals and acting as co-custodians with the principal of the Christian mission and heritage of their respective schools.

The governance of Anglican schools differs in many ways from that of most other Christian schools.  For the Anglican schools whose constitution is embodied in a Synod Ordinance, the majority of the council members are elected or appointed by the Synod, Standing Committee, a Regional Council, a parish or the Archbishop. Under the terms of the Diocesan Education Policy

“all members of such councils elected or appointed by these bodies, prior to taking up office, sign a Statement of personal faith and support for the Christian ethos of the school.”

In his address, Archbishop Jensen reminded his hearers that there are four elements of Anglican education:  knowing God and knowing God’s world in community and for community. He spoke about the importance of school councils finding the right Head and resourcing him/her; finding and resourcing the right teachers; partnering with the family and with the local church. He commended the work of the Anglican Education Commission in promoting teaching as a worthy vocation and recruiting Christians into teaching. He also commended its work in establishing partnerships in teacher education with the University of Sydney and Moore College. 

Dr Jensen expressed his concern about the pressures being placed on principals and the need for school councils to work with them in addressing these pressures. He urged the chairs and members of councils to draw on each other’s expertise and see their work as being a vital part of the ministry of the Diocese.

Pray for the chairs and members of the councils of all our schools…