It was not quite what they were expecting, when Trish and Rod Passmore were invited to the opening of a new building at Bethel Christian School in Albany, WA. 

The occasion was a ceremony to mark the completion of the school's new multi-purpose hall, a much-needed BER project. 

Trish and Rod were two of the founders of the school, with other members of the Albany Baptist Church.

Both served as Principals of the school, with Trish being the founding Principal and first teacher in 1981. 

When they arrived for the opening ( 10/5/11) they didn't notice that the front of the building was partly covered. 

They were pleased when asked to come to the stage to unveil a picture of the building, but surprise turned to shock when the picture revealed that the building had been named in their honour.

In naming the "Passmore Centre," Board Chair, Rev John Power, paid tribute to Rod and Trish, noting their well-known humility. 

"In many ways the foundation for education, Christian education, laid at BCS by Rod and Trish remains today," he said.

"It is usually true that organisations built on good foundations last. This is true of BCS.

"I know Mr and Mrs Passmore would humbly decline the accolades that come their way today.

"However we want to say thank you to God for their dedicated, godly, constructive, Christian work in education for Him through Bethel Christian School," Rev Power said.

Rod and Trish served at the school for 15 and 18 years respectively, before they moved to Rockingham after Rod became Principal of Maranatha Christian College in 1998.

Trish took on a part-time role as State co-ordinator for Christian Community Schools, which became Christian Schools Australia in 2002. 

Trish and Rod will together as co-Principals when they take up positions with a Christian school in Indonesia in the second half of 2011. 

It is a daunting challenge, but one they will tackle with talent, expertise, experience a strong desire to continue serving God through Christian schooling.

Imagine their surprise! Mim Butler, Principal of Bethel Christian School with Rod and Trish Passmore at the unveiling.