More than 730 teachers, parents and students gathered from across South Australia last night as the Albanese government considers drastic proposals for faith-based schools. In total, more than 4,200 people have attended these sold-out events across Australia in an unprecedented show of support for the future of faith in Christian schools.
The ‘Faith In Our Future’ events have been urgently organised by three Christian school associations in response to the recent controversial recommendations released by the Australian Law Reform Commission. If accepted by the Government, they would prevent Christian schools from employing only Christian teachers and staff who share and can teach the same values and beliefs of the school.
Moving stories were shared about the life-changing impact of teachers and staff who believe and live their Christian faith. Peter Van der Schoor was a founding principal of several Christian schools and spoke of the sacrifice of parents to bring these schools into existence 60 years ago. An 11-year-old student passionately addressed the crowd saying, "I really hope we can still have this for future generations because I want my little brother and baby sister to feel the way I have with our teachers and the adults working at school."
Senators Karen Grogan and David Fawcett spoke of their respective party’s commitment to supporting faith-based communities.
Five weeks ago the Government received detailed proposals from combined faith groups and faith based schools. No response has been provided by the Government. CSA Director of Public Policy Mark Spencer said “It is disappointing that the Government has been silent on our proposals. It is also unfortunate that neither the Attorney-General nor the Education Minister attended any of these events to hear directly from our school communities.”
Attendees have travelled long distances to attend these events with some driving up to four hours each way after a long day in the classroom, then returning home in the early hours of the morning. ACS Executive Director Alistair Macpherson said that "The effort shown by so many to attend is a reflection of the deep concern and uncertainty in our communities for the future of Christian schools.”
AACS Executive Officer Vanessa Cheng said that “The groundswell of support in this campaign has been overwhelming and nearly 12,000 supporters have now joined the movement. The Government needs to listen to these families and take action to provide them with the protection of a positive right to continue to be authentic Christian schools into the future.”
ENDS
My Christian School and the Faith In Our Future events are the initiatives of Associated Christian Schools, the Australian Association of Christian Schools and Christian Schools Australia.
For all media enquiries
Vanessa Cheng, Australian Association of Christian Schools, 0416 277 372
Alistair Macpherson, Associated Christian Schools, 0401 365 776
Mark Spencer, Christian Schools Australia, 0419 419 224
About the Associations
Australian Association of Christian Schools (AACS) represents over a hundred independent Christian schools in every state and territory across Australia, ranging from very small to large; urban to regional, rural and remote. The majority of member schools are non-denominational with a protestant heritage and are governed by parent associations with over 44,000 students enrolled from a wide variety of socio-economic, cultural and religious backgrounds.
Associated Christian Schools (ACS) represents over 45 independent Christian Schools throughout Queensland. With over 30,000 students attending member schools, this represents approximately 20% of the independent school students in Queensland. Whilst each of our member schools are independently governed, they choose to collaborate together through ACS, for the purpose of delivering high quality Christian education for the common good.
Christian Schools Australia (CSA) is the largest association of Christian schools in the country and has member schools educating over 86,000 students and employing more than 13,500 staff at more than 200 locations across Australia. CSA member schools provide caring and compassionate education within an authentic Christian learning community.
Download Media Release