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The Society of Christian Schools in British Columbia is an organization of Christian school communities sharing a biblical vision for Christian education in this province. We aim to strengthen and promote Christian education by serving, supporting, and encouraging our members and others in this endeavour. The Link is the official magazine of SCSBC and is made available to our member schools and distributed to board members, administrators, and staff. We aim to provide up-to-date information and insights to help schools better serve their communities. The Link is produced three times yearly: October, February, and May.
Back Issues
Use these links to access back issues of The Link newsletter in print layout.
Dave Loewen, Wendy Leong, Darren Spyksma, Owen Webb & Liz Ullrich
Dave Loewen, Tracey Yan & Tricia Stobbe, Darren Spyksma, Amanda Broadway
Dave Loewen, Cathy Kits, Darren Spyksma, Sarah Edgar
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October 2nd, 2024
Student Behaviour: A Window into Understanding Learning Readiness
Unmotivated. Disrespectful. Defiant. Lazy. Have you noticed students today seem different from those of even a decade ago? This shift […]
October 2nd, 2024
Aid or Ailment: Developing a Framework for Mission-Directed AI Integration
In the first week of school, my daughter received an assignment with minimal instructions. She asked her teacher for help […]
September 27th, 2024
Respectful Workplace Training – Why It Matters
Workplace harassment and bullying continue to impact employees across industries, including faith-based organizations. With increasing legal and financial consequences, how […]
September 27th, 2024
Approaching The Story from a Different Angle
In a world where conflict and division have seeped into Christian communities, “humility, curiosity, and kindness” are often overshadowed by […]
May 7th, 2024
Navigating the Layers of Support in Inclusive Education
Tiered systems of support offer an effective framework for implementing foundational strategies across all students and staff, while also delivering targeted interventions for both small group and individual students. This approach ensures comprehensive support tailored to the diverse needs within inclusive education.
May 7th, 2024
What is the most dangerous game our schools risk playing? It is that we forget that disagreement is an integral part of education and that learning does not rush to pick sides, but instead commits to the pursuit of deeper understanding.
May 3rd, 2024
Managing your school’s human resources is just as important as managing your financial or capital assets.
May 3rd, 2024
Are you an ideal board member?” he said with a grin. After leading a governance workshop1 for one of our […]
February 12th, 2024
Teatime: The Power of Intentional Hosting
Is your school facilitating relational activities like teatime to encourage conversations among your domestic and international students? No matter the […]
February 12th, 2024
Each, Not All: Variability as the Norm
Anyone who regularly interacts with children and adolescents knows that finding two identical individuals is impossible. Even identical twins may […]
February 12th, 2024
Leadership and the Shaping of a Giving Culture
The flourishing of Christian schools in BC is a testament to the dedicated and visionary work of school leaders and […]
February 12th, 2024
What is the connection between character and leadership? The more power one has in a leadership position, the more clearly […]
November 2nd, 2023
Creating Cultures of Belonging: Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive Beth Birmingham & Eeva Sallinen Simard (InterVarsity Press, 2022) […]
November 2nd, 2023
Inclusion at the Pumpkin Patch
It can be easy for us to respond to new ministry requirements and recommendations through the lens of compliance. Is it possible, however, to take a different view? Could these initiatives be an invitation to our school communities to reflect more deeply on what it means to be learners who follow the way of Jesus?
November 2nd, 2023
How do you perceive time? How does your team engage in discussions about time? Who has the authority to determine how time is utilized in your school?
November 2nd, 2023
Building Your Nest-Egg: The Art of Reserve Funds
How does your school save for the future? Do you need a new reserve fund policy to provide clarity?
November 2nd, 2023
What’s All the Fuss About Flourishing?
The word “flourishing” has become a bit of a buzzword in Christian schools. What do we mean when we talk about flourishing in Christian education?
May 4th, 2023
Thank You. I’m Sorry. Tell Me More.: How to Change the World with 3 Sacred SayingsRod Wilson (NavPress, 2022) Rod […]
May 4th, 2023
Is Christian Education Worth It?
by Ed Noot, Outgoing SCSBC Executive Director ◊ Christian education comes at a cost, a tremendous cost. It can be […]
May 4th, 2023
by Darren Spyksma, SCSBC Director of Learning ◊ A school can pray in the morning, teach Bible in the afternoon, […]
May 4th, 2023
Money Matters…To Every Board Member
For school board members who are not accountants or business people, it may be tempting to tune out when finance is on the agenda and just assume someone else will take responsibility for the discussion. However, managing the school’s resources is the job of the entire board, not just the treasurer.
May 2nd, 2023
Embracing Intercultural Awareness with International Education
by Sarah Edgar, SCSBC Interim International Student Program Coordinator ◊ Our schools create genuine opportunities and spaces for students to […]
January 31st, 2023
By Dave Loewen, SCSBC Executive Director ◊ There is a declining posture of humility and an increasing posture of confidence and certainty in one’s opinion; somehow, we have lost the ability to be curious towards one another.
January 31st, 2023
Two book recommendations: Relationship, Responsibility and Regulation by Kristin Van Marter Sourers & Pete Hall and A Burning in My Bones by Winn Collier
January 31st, 2023
See, I Am Making All Things New!
by Darren Spyksma, SCSBC Director of Learning ◊ The Bible is a story of reconciliation. A story of God reconciling himself […]
January 31st, 2023
Alma Matters: Inspiring Alumni Engagement
by Cathy Kits, SCSBC Director of Advancement ◊ Whatever vision you have for integrating your alumni into your present story, building an alumni program begins with making it a priority, and dedicating time and resources to it.
October 4th, 2022
Christian Schools: Praise, Lament, Hope
an interview with Ed Noot and Dave Loewen ◊ Darren Welcome! As many of you know, organizationally we’re part of an exciting […]
October 4th, 2022
by Darren Spyksma, SCSBC Director of Learning ◊
October 4th, 2022
by John Vanderhoek, SCSBC Education Coordinator (1986 – 1997) ◊
October 4th, 2022
by Lee Hollaar, SCSBC Coordinator / Director (1989 – 2003) ◊
October 4th, 2022
by Henry Contant, SCSBC Executive Director (2003 – 2015) ◊
May 1st, 2022
Bill C-4: Opportunity or Threat?
by Ed Noot, SCSBC Executive Director ◊ In December 2021, the Members of Canada’s Parliament unanimously consented to a motion to […]
May 1st, 2022
Managing School Finances in Uncertain Times
by Tracey Yan, SCSBC Director of Finance ◊
May 1st, 2022
Gratitude: What’s Keeping You From Being Thankful
by Darren Spyksma, SCSBC Director of Learning ◊
May 1st, 2022
From “My” Students to “Our” Students
Throughout the pandemic, teachers have worked in isolation, and many educators feel like they are less able to support the increasingly complex needs of students. When we work together as a community and shift our perspective from “my” classroom and “my” kids to “our” school and “our” kids, we have more capacity to support student well-being.
February 1st, 2022
How is it that graduates of Christian schools are more likely to believe that general society is hostile to their views? What does this say about our teaching, learning, and school structures?
February 1st, 2022
How can we reshape the culture of our school communities in light of what we have learned over the past two years? What will be the design of this new place we find ourselves in?
February 1st, 2022
by Darren Spyksma, SCSBC Director of Learning ◊ A school’s true mission is its lived mission. As educational institutions, who call […]
February 1st, 2022
Though many schools are currently challenged by reduced international student numbers, this may be an opportunity to consider how our international programs reflect our values and the impact our communities can have on students and families from abroad.
February 1st, 2022
Book review of Trains, Jesus, and Murder: The Gospel According to Johnny Cash
October 1st, 2021
Christian schools continue to refine their understanding of how and when to engage with culture or the social order of the day. This complex and nuanced topic has been explored by God’s people since they were enslaved in Egypt. The social complexity of our world today requires clear thinking from Christian school leaders.
October 1st, 2021
What so many of us long for is to go back to the way “it was,” to get back to “normal.” But what if the way “it was” was not actually working very well in the first place? For learning or for students?
October 1st, 2021
Audits vs. Reviews of Financial Statements
How are financial statement audits and reviews different? And why is it important?
October 1st, 2021
Engaging in daily disciplines that build faith and hope, self-regulation skills, caring relationships, and belonging, will help develop more resilient and courageous school leaders, educators, and students.
October 1st, 2021
Our new logo is a departure from what was, but if you look closely, it builds on the logo it replaces.
May 4th, 2021
Rowan Williams suggests that those who claim to follow Christ should embrace these three key roles as they seek to live in service to Him: Prophet, Priest, and King. Could this imperative also apply to Christian schools who bear the name of Christ and seek to embrace His identity?
May 4th, 2021
Good data can be extremely useful when making decisions, but bad data can quickly lead us down the wrong path.
May 4th, 2021
Trinity Western University’s School of Education Is On the Move
SCSBC and the TWU School of Education have enjoyed a long and constructive working relationship despite our locations on opposite sides of the TWU campus.
May 4th, 2021
Multi-Tiered System of Supports
One school’s journey to implement a holistic approach to supporting student learning, behaviour, and emotional needs.
February 1st, 2021
2020 was a tumultuous, discordant year in so many ways; from conspiracy theories on the pandemic to a sitting US President questioning the validity of election results, we witnessed much public discourse about knowledge. Christian schools, too, are engaged in conversations about “knowing” related to curriculum, instruction, and policy development.
February 1st, 2021
Some families will make the decision to leave prior to graduation and it is incumbent upon you as a school to understand why. How can your school move toward healthy change?
February 1st, 2020
Be a Blessing: What does it mean to engage in ethical fundraising?
by Cathy Kits, SCSBC Director of Development ◊ Fundraising decisions require ethical reflection because they have an impact on people, and while recognized fundraising standards give guidance, a defined set of rules cannot answer every question that arises.