20170504 Being open on Open Day

Our college community shows its many colours at events such as Open Day. There is a strong commitment to the contribution that Christian education makes to the lives and Christian formation of our children. People want to share with our guests their narrative of their family’s journey through the school. Thank you for your part in sharing our College with the wider Christian community of Melbourne. It was a great addition to have Light FM again join us for an outside broadcast on Open Day – the interaction of their presenters with the students whilst they were on-air was a delight to watch – and ensured that our story was heard on Saturday beyond the physical limitations of our school gates.

It was a great day of fun, engagement, celebration and relationship building. This was my first Open Day since starting last year at Donvale Christian College. I loved it – I was encouraged by other people’s generosity and kind words all day. I was moved to see how students of all ages were talking to visitors about their school, with such affection and authenticity. It was such a blessing seeing mums and dads engaging in such warm hospitality – a record number of sausages and cupcakes were handed out – still, we ran out early in spite of this increased provision. It was a delight to see so many register their interest in joining our community soon, or a little further into the future. We also handed out more information packs than we have done previously.

For me, this points to a community that people are seeking to join. This is a product of our current community being comfortable sharing who it is and what it stands for – particularly when these elements show characteristics that attract people towards it. May it always be that Christ is at the centre of all that we do – that in seeing us as a community together as we were last Saturday, all – both our guests and our current members – will get a glimpse of the community of Christian believers, the witness to Him, God wants us to be.