From the Superintendent
Now that I am three-quarters of the way into my first year at RCS, I think I have a pretty good pulse on our school community. I still have lots to learn and many people to meet which will continue to happen over time. I hope that all of our families, students and staff had a wonderful spring break whether you remained home, had to work, travelled locally, or travelled abroad. It is good to be back together, and I am excited to finish the year strong.
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My wife and I were blessed to be able to go to Los Cabos with some very good friends. One of my great joys in life is hot weather and water, whether it be a pool or a beach, and spending time with my amazing wife. Our trip did not disappoint, the weather was great, the snorkeling was spectacular, and the pool was the perfect temperature. We spent most of our time at our hotel, but we did go out on a few adventures in the cities of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. My hope was to experience some authentic Mexican culture, practice speaking some Spanish and definitely find a top location for some fish tacos. Although we enjoyed visiting those places, I was surprised by a few things, and it got me thinking. |
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First, it was very hard to find authentic Mexican culture in either of the two cities. The architecture was authentic, and the music was distinctly Mexican, but I truly felt like I was in almost any other US or Canadian city. The strong English-speaking influence meant that it was quite hard to find someone who did not speak better English than my Spanish. The tacos were amazing though! We could have walked further into the outlying communities, and I am sure we would have been able to have had a more authentic cultural experience.
At first, I was troubled by this experience – that the influence of the “tourists” had seemingly taken over or transformed Los Cabos. I know this is very simplistic in thought as the benefits of tourism in that area are significant in providing so many positive benefits for the people who live there year-round. However, there was evidence of conforming to other cultures all around and I was reminded of Romans 12:2, which says:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Conforming is so easy to do. It requires little effort or thought. Just do what everyone around you does. And, if there is any question, just follow the advice given by advertisers and you can’t go wrong. In following the well-traveled road, there is safety and comfort, a sense of belonging. Of being a part of the herd.
What does this mean for our students here at Richmond Christian School?
We want each one of our students to know and love who God has called and created them to be. The world will seek to mold them and conform them to its own image. The world wants our students to view life, make decisions and operate under its wisdom. The problem is that the world is fallen. It doesn’t live by truth and will always let them down. It cannot deliver what it promises. Being conformed to the world implies anything that seeks to exclude God from our life. Our students need to be on constant guard against being conformed to this world.
Instead of being conformed to this world, we hope and pray that our students will be transformed by the renewing of their mind. This idea of being renewed is not a one-time event, rather it’s something that constantly happens. All of us, including our students, need to be constantly reminded of God’s truth. This is a lifelong process and one that we are committed to guiding our students in. If we continually do this their thinking will resemble God’s more and more and they will become more like Christ.
It is a privilege to partner with all of you in the education of your children and as we help them grow in their academics, we also take the responsibility seriously that you have entrusted to be part of their spiritual formation. One of the many ways that this happens at RCS is by helping our students to not be conformers but transformers!
James Sijpheer
Superintendent
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Annie Jr., The Musical
Would you please consider supporting the Middle Campus by attending our upcoming musical, Annie Jr.? Tickets can be purchased here: Annie Jr. Tickets. Over 40 students are part of the cast and crew and are singing, dancing, and acting to tell this wonderful story of hope and belonging. Please join us and support your child in cheering on their classmates!
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Mental Health Minute
Hello parents!
For those of you that were at the parent info night on March 29t, I want to say thank you for sacrificing an evening to dive deeper into this conversation with Danny Taylor around technology and our children. Though Danny and I hold expertise and formal education in this field, the reality is that you are the expert in your own life – you know you and your family dynamic best. I am thrilled and grateful to see parents desiring to equip themselves in understanding how to internally process their hopes and fears with technology and learning how to have this ongoing, adapting conversation with their children.
I personally appreciate how down-to-earth and relatable Danny is as he is also on this journey of parenting and trying his best to decipher what he’s learned and how it fits into his family structure. So please here this: it’s tough being a parent in the digital age, it’s a lot of hard work and we won’t always get it right, and you’re not alone. So, if you need some help in your process, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or Danny.
Danny’s message was deeply rooted in a framework of hope, connection, and love rather than a response to the fears that many of us hold as parents in a world where access to technology is the new normal. As one parent put it:
“[…] It was helpful to have a non-anxious presence up there reassure us that our kids are not all going to be addicts [...] I think we’ll start to set technology practices in conversation with our kids early when the rules only apply to us and adjust as they grow into having their own devices and autonomy.”
Though it was an information-heavy session, there were practical takeaways summarized below. However, the greatest point that Danny made again and again is that how you compassionately and curiously connect with your child matters, and it opens a spectrum of possibilities.
Our community is looking forward to partnering alongside Danny, and he will be meeting with our students at the secondary campus in the following weeks and months. I am so thankful for this partnership, and I am thankful that we were able to start and continue this conversation with you. Thank you for the ways in which you continue to show love and support to your children and thank you for entrusting them into our care!
I look forward to connecting with you more!
Kindly,
Eric Fontaine (SC Mental Wellness Counsellor)
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Learning Commons & STEAM
French Fun in the Learning Commons
Monday March 20th was International Francophonie Day! Although we were on spring break for this, we’ve partnered up with the amazing Mme. Yoyotte to celebrate the French language this week in the Learning Commons. This month, we’ve featured French stories and graphic novels on display in the LC and this week, we’re hosting a French crossword contest and game day on Friday. Students can compete in a Kahoot to guess the meaning of common French idioms for a prize at the end of the week. It’s been a fun French-filled week!
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March Making Bingo Board
We’ve had lots of great submissions for our March making Bingo challenge! It’s been fun to see student creations from over the break. See below for some images of some of these. We look forward to seeing what else is created in our final week of this challenge!
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Grade 7 Boys’ Basketball
The team wrapped up their season just before Spring Break at the Steveston-London Blue & Gold tournament. This was the first time since Covid that this tournament was up and running. RCS was invited to compete in this tournament along with other elementary schools in the Steveston-London catchment.
This final game was a very close match up with the scores being very tight and switching back and forth with the team being in the lead. Despite a slower start to the first half of the game, tight defence and fast breaks helped RCS break away with the lead. The final quarter came down to the wire and Westwind came back and cut their deficit in half. However, RCS played solid defence and limited scoring opportunities for the other team.
Congratulations to the Grade 7 Boys' team for winning the tournament! On top of that, RCS was with the "Fair-Play" award! Other schools nominated RCS for playing with good sportsmanship, being respectful to opponents, refs, and coaches. Great job on representing our Richmond Christian! Thank you very much to Mr. Finch for coaching and investing his time into this team!
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Upcoming Athletic Events
April 6: Grade 8 Boys Volleyball – Home Game vs. Macneill
April 11: Grade 8 Boys Volleyball – Home Game vs. McRoberts
April 12: Grade 7 CESS Badminton Tournament @ RCS (Secondary Campus)
April 18: Grade 8 Boys Volleyball – Home Game vs. Steveston-London
April 25: Grade 8 Boys Volleyball – Home Game vs. McMath
April 27: Grade 8 Boys Volleyball – Home Game vs. Hugh Boyd
April 28: Grade 8 BCCSSAA Badminton Tournament @ Surrey Christian Secondary
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Grandparents’ Day: Date Change
Please note that Grandparents’ Day has been moved to June 8th. We apologize for any inconvenience this change of date may have caused. Details regarding the event will be shared in May. Thank you!
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Upcoming Events
April 3: Grade 7 Band Festival
April 7: Good Friday (No School)
April 10: Easter Monday (No School)
April 19: ANNIE JR Matinee Performance 11:00am: ANNIE JR Evening Performance 7:00pm
April 20: ANNIE JR Matinee Performance 11:00am: ANNIE JR Evening Performance 7:00pm
May 8 – 12: ICC Week
May 9: Grade 7 ICC Fair, 3:15 – 4:00pm
May 10: Grade 8 ICC Fair, 3:15 – 4:00pm
May 11: Grade 6 ICC Fair, 3:15 – 4:00pm
May 19: Professional Development Day (No School)
May 22: Victoria Day (No School)
May 26: RCS Carnival
June 8: Grandparents Day
June 15: Grade 6 Year-End Day Trip
June 21: Grade 7 and 8 Year-End Day Trip
June 22: Grade 8 Awards and Farewell Ceremony, 9:00am – 11:00am
June 22: Last day of school (12:30pm dismissal)
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Volunteer Hours
If you have volunteered and have not reported your hours,
please complete the form here.
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