As a Christian educational institution, we believe in the necessity and power of prayer.  Jesus has told us “without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).  In Luke 18:1 “He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.”  In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 we are told to “pray without ceasing” and “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man (woman) avails much” (James 5:16).

“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain that build it.” (Psalm 27:1)

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.”  John 4:23

PRAYER

  1. All school functions begin and close with a word of prayer.
  2. We begin each term with a devotion and prayer meeting in the school hall before the staff meeting.  This is a joint prayer meeting with the Midlands Christian College staff.
  3. Each school day begins with prayer, whether in Assembly (Tuesdays and Fridays) or in class devotions (Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays).
  4. Staff are allocated into three groups, each term, where one member of the group co-ordinates a weekly prayer meeting for that group.  These take place at break time on a Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
  5. Staff who are not involved with “hymn singing” (as per the three groups, which operates on a rotational basis) after assembly on a Friday, meet for a prayer meeting in the Head’s office every Friday from 7.50 am to 8.15 am.
  6. Parents Prayer group meet every Friday in the Library wing, from 7.30 am – 8.00 am to pray for the children, the staff, the parents, and any specific needs which are forwarded to them.
  7. Board members meet every Tuesday in the Board room at 8.30 am – approximately 8.15 am to pray for the institution.
  8. Before embarking on a trip Psalm 91 is read and the teacher in charge or a pupil prays. Upon arrival to the destination a prayer of thanksgiving is said.

CLASS DEVOTIONS

  • On Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays each class teacher begins the day with prayer and a short devotion.  (7.20 am – 7.45 am) Teachers choose their own devotional content, which may include:
  • Reading from an appropriately aged devotional, followed by discussion and closing with prayer.
  • Working through a topic, prepared by the teacher, allowing time for God’s Word and discussion, followed by prayer.
  • Teaching / sharing on a chosen “school topic” (for example:  our school values, bullying, being kind to one another)

MENTORING OF STUDENTS

“Train up a child in the way He should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  Proverbs 22:6.   At Midlands Christian School we understand this verse to apply in all areas of character development.   Grade 6 level (the year preceding the final year at primary school) is the year chosen to make extra and special effort in the training and nurturing process.  Children range from 10 – 12 years in age and this is a strategic time in one’s life, pre-adolescent, and before becoming the “seniors” of the school.

  1. The Grade 6 boys and girls are assigned to a specific member of staff.  The girls are assigned to a female staff member and the boys to a male staff member.  Staff are selected on their willingness and desire to sow into lives.  The mentor will “touch base” with their group at least once in two weeks, at a time arranged within the group.  Topics such as keeping up with homework, neatness of appearance, encouraging children to pray and read the Bible every day, giving guidelines on how to do it, and any “problems” which the children wish to share are discussed and prayed over.
  2. Prefects Meetings are held with the Senior Lady Teacher and the Senior Master every two weeks.  Format for the meeting:
  1. Welcome to the children and open in prayer by the relevant staff member.
  2. An ice-breaker activity. (5 minutes)
  3. A short devotion shared by the staff and children, individually taking turns during the year. The topic chosen will tie in with the school values (5 minutes).
  4. Interactive questions/answers/discussion on the topic. (5 minutes)
  5. Close in prayer.

ASSEMBLIES

Attendance at Assembly is compulsory and it is considered an important formal function of the school.  All children are expected to wear blazers for Assemblies.  It is compulsory attendance for all pupils and full-time staff.

The purpose of assemblies is two-fold:

1 Administrative:

To update / advise children of results from past events, reminding children of upcoming events, reminding of rules, and any necessary information from time to time.

2 A time of spiritual input:

A theme is selected by the head and/or the heads of departments and/or the staff presenting the devotional.

  • Assemblies take place on Tuesdays and Fridays.
  •  Assemblies are co-ordinated by the Head.  Heads of Departments and any member of staff who is willing, share on scheduled days.  The School Chaplain takes one of the Tuesday assemblies each term, and another suitable invited speaker is usually accommodated once during the term.  An assembly roster is drawn up at the start of each term and issued during the first week of term.  Content for the assemblies include the following:
  • Devotions based on the school values, covering one value at a time.
  • Devotions based on “executive function” skills, being skills which are generally not specifically taught for example, start a task immediately; not to procrastinate; to be organised; to be prepared; to be punctual; to listen with intent to action.
  • Devotions based on other topical issues which come up from time to time, for example, using or borrowing and not returning is stealing; being kind to one another; not being a bully; what is a bully.
  • Each Tuesday assembly has a Bible verse taught, which relates to the content of the message.  The verse is printed A4 size for the school notice board, and small card verses are printed for each teacher to distribute to each child.
  • Classes lead the devotion on Friday assemblies

Each child is issued with a “Memory Verse Book” where the small memory verse cards are glued. The invited speaker may be requested to share on a specific topic, or to choose his/her own topic.

HOSTEL DEVOTIONS / SUNDAY SCHOOL

Midlands Christian School enrols children from mixed faiths.  However, when parents / guardians complete the Acceptance of Place documentation, they agree with the following:

  1. Attendance at assemblies is compulsory.
  2. Being part of class devotions and prayer times is compulsory.
  3. Boarder children attend Sunday School at a local church, as is arranged by the school authorities.  The church may change from time to time as it may not continuously fit in with their programme to accommodate an extra forty or so children.  However, the arrangement stands from term to term, and if a change is required, notice is given ahead of time.

The member of staff on duty at the hostel in the evenings shares a devotion with the children every evening.