Kyrie Eleison! Christe Eleison!

The faculty and staff gathered together on August 31 for their first meeting of the 2015 – 2016 school year. We met at the middle campus and the room was alive with hello’s and hugs as the staff greeted one another after a long summer break. It was thrilling to see the genuine affection the staff have for one another and their excitement for the start of another school year.

Our meeting began with a video of vacation pictures the staff submitted prior to our first meeting. Ms. Gan and Ms. Wilson from the secondary campus shared their travel experiences in China with International China Concern. Their trip to China was in preparation for our plans to send a team of students on a mission trip to China to volunteer with ICC in the coming year.

The theme of our first morning was Kyrie Eleison! Christe Eleison! Lord have mercy! Christ have mercy! The staff were asked to reflect upon three questions.

How and when have you experienced the mercy of God in your life?
How and when have you experienced the mercy of other people?
Who needs to experience your mercy?

Ms. Kithy Lee, a new parent at RCS, shared her personal testimony of how she experienced God’s mercy in her life. Ms. Janna Veenbaas, a student from Regent College, brought to life the stories of two people from the New Testament who experienced the mercy of God in their lives. The monologues of the woman caught in adultery and the raising of Lazarus from the dead were powerful reminders that God’s mercy is ever true and every present. The staff took time to pray for the students and families of RCS and that God would be merciful and compassionate with our community.

I am looking forward to serving for another year with you at Richmond Christian School. I pray that the simple prayers of Kyrie Eleison and Christe Eleison would be able to transform our lives in the coming year. I pray that as the students of the middle and secondary campuses participate in their camping program at Stillwood and Rock Ridge they would experience the mercy of God.   We are so blessed! We serve a great and mighty God!

Mr. Roger Grose
Superintendent

Back to School Barbecue Pictures

Volunteers are Our Heroes!

Each year we rely on our incredible team of parent volunteers to help in many different areas of our school. Parents are encouraged to serve for 10 hours to cover their “Volunteer Hours” and in exchange their cheque isn’t cashed at the end of the year. Many of you volunteer double or even triple the number of hours required and we are so grateful. At this year’s Back to School BBQ, we had more than 35 volunteers helping to set up, serve and clean up! We couldn’t have served more than 1,600 burgers and hot dogs without you! Stay tuned to your email for more exciting opportunities to volunteer throughout all three campuses.

Back to School BBQ! The Blessing of Clouds!

As we prepare and plan each year for our annual gathering of RCS families and staff, the concern of weather plays a role. This year was one of the year’s that we thought would be filled with sunshine and warmth after such an incredible summer. Alas, it was not to be. After checking multiple weather apps on our cell phones and a huge downpour over lunchtime, we began to wonder what we would do with 1,600 people at the Middle Campus. After much prayer and a last minute decision, we decided to go with our original plan of serving outside and setting up seating for 600 people in the field. God’s mercy was evident as the rain stayed away from our little corner of Richmond, while it poured and was stormy almost everywhere else in the Lower Mainland. One parent who was on her way to the BBQ said she saw an opening in the clouds and knew for sure it was over RCS! Thank you to everyone who participated with us in the yummy dinner and events. Face painting and bouncy castles were a huge hit and added to the fun! Special thanks to all of the hard working volunteers who helped in so many different ways. What a wonderful start to our year!

Did you know?

• With our preschool students we have 1,043 students in all three campuses!
• We have more than 120 staff including teachers, educational assistants, support staff and administration.
• Our Elementary School has the most students with 502 and the most staff with 59!
• The Secondary Campus has already started the year with a trip to Camp Rockridge on the first week of school.
• Our Middle School Grade 8 class increased by 21 new students this year.
• Our Back to School BBQ was attended by more than 1,600 students, staff and parents.

Are you new to the RCS family? Mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 14th for RCS101. This is a new parent orientation that you don’t want to miss!

Ann-Michele Ewert
Development Director