February 2017

The skiing elective for Wednesday, March 1 has been cancelled as the ski hill will be closed.  Students are to bring whatever items they need for their alternate activity.

Praying to our God: Who is Over all, Through all and in all

    Over the past month or so, the Grade 8 class has been focussing on the concept of prayer. We have studied prayer in Bible class, we are also examining more closely how to pray during our devotional times. In fact, we have also been meeting together with the Grade 7 class to learn about how to pray. We are using the Five-Finger Prayer model to help guide our learning and understanding of prayer.
Each week as the Grades 7 and 8 classes meet for devotions, usually on Friday mornings, we focus on each important area. As I have been preparing to lead the areas in which I am responsible for, I have again been reminded through the Five-Finger Prayer model that God is over all, through all and in all. As we go through each day, immersing ourselves in prayer it is clear to me that God is in control of everything. He is worthy of all of our praise.  God is at work in our lives for which we need to give Him thanks. As we pray for others, we can pray with hope that God will work in their lives as well. We need to constantly bring our sinfulness to God in confession to Him. God hears our prayers for our own needs as well, we need to ask Him for peace with what He gives to us.
    It is a busy time of year for us here at Woodstock Christian School. Science Fair projects need completing, speeches and poems need fine-tuning, many assignments are due and tests are approaching, all so we as teachers can give an accurate assessment of student learning in the coming days. Please continue to pray for each student, staff member and parent as we finish term two. May we all experience our God who is Greater than all things during this stressful time.

                            Mr. T. Schaafsma

Science & Creation Studies Learning: Means by Which We Know God
    On Friday, February 17th, the teaching staff met to discuss science learning at Woodstock Christian School. We enjoyed time spent in devotions, reading relevant articles, discussing current curriculum and Ministry guidelines. In the afternoon, one of the science teachers from London District Christian School led us through an interactive workshop of science learning, providing more ideas to make science come alive in our classrooms.
    God makes himself known to humanity through his general revelation - creation. General revelation does not reveal Jesus Christ or His work of redemption for sinners. Thus there is a need for what is called "special revelation." Article 2 of an old but 'rich' document written in 1561, the Belgic Confession (on the means by which we know God), states the distinction in the following words:
We know Him by two means: First, by the creation, preservation, and government of the universe; which is before our eyes as a most elegant book, wherein all creatures, great and small, are as so many characters leading us to see clearly the invisible things of God, even his everlasting power and divinity, as the apostle Paul says in Romans 1:20. All which things are sufficient to convince men and leave them without excuse. Second, He makes Himself more clearly and fully known to us by His holy and divine Word, that is to say, as far as is necessary for us to know in this life, to His glory and our salvation.
    As educators, we are grateful for the many means by which we can share the wonders of God's creation with our students. Brian Doerksen's song "Creation Calls" speaks into the beauty and majesty of what God has created. 
Lying down beneath the stars, I feel your presence there 
I love to stand at ocean shore and feel the thundering breakers roar 
How could I say there is no God when all around creation calls…

                            C. Verbeek, Principal

Libraries - one of my favourite topics to discuss!

Libraries were once somber quiet places where books were warehoused and librarians kept them in order.  Have you ever thought of how a library is different today than when you were a child?  Have you ever wondered what the “modern” library of the future may look like?  At the recent Ontario Library Association conference, attendees were shown what a futuristic library might look like and the role it has for its community.   I could hardly imagine some scenarios that were presented of what you could do at your local library in fifty years!  Some existing libraries already bring more accessible use of technology to the next level with their “Maker Spaces” and the use of 3-D printers.  Here the library’s role is not only to have the information about something but also equipment to produce it and share it!   But the one common thread which runs through the past library, the present library and the future library is the availability of knowledge and understanding and also the need for space for community. There is a lot of “community” being shared at the WCS Library as well.  I have said this before but I am always so grateful that the WCS board has always prioritized budgeting to develop the best possible library for its students with the funds available.  And I am privileged to work in it!  

                Marian Dieleman-Librarian

WINTER ELECTIVES
    This week we will begin our winter electives program for students in grades four through eight. The electives experience runs for five consecutive Wednesdays and gives students opportunity to work and play with other students from different grade levels in a place or activity beyond the classroom. 
    It also allows parents and friends of Woodstock Christian School to be a part of student learning and show students a new and deeper way to use their abilities to bless others. It is good to share our role as educators, giving others the opportunity to bring lessons and learning to life for students and to model to the students how their learning can also influence their future. 
    Stay tuned for photos and updates about the learning and community being experienced through this mid-winter program.
                            C. Verbeek