Each year for the last 12 years a ‘Covenanters’ trip has been arranged in conjunction with our School.

This year will be our 13th and will centre around the theme of ‘The Two Margarets’, who were drowned for ‘Christs Crown and Covenant’

The trip is an opportunity for friends and supporters of the school to meet on a three day trip which will also raise some funds for the school.

The application form which can be downloaded from our church website (link below) gives more details & prices.

http://hebronfpc.org/

Ballymoney Independent Christian School

& Sunbeams Pre-school invite you to our

OPEN DAY

FRIDAY 10th February

12noon – 3:00pm & 5:oopm – 8:00pm

YOU ARE INVITED!

You will be made most Welcome!

Our Address is 55 Market Street Ballymoney, Co Antrim BT53 6ED  Tel. 028 2766 3402

Our ‘Annual Harvest Service’ takes place on Wednesday 26th October 2011 at 10am – All are welcome to come along to support the children.

See some short reports of our ‘Harvest’ service and sunbeams from last year 2010 below.

Pupils, staff parents and friends of B.I.C.S. met together in October to return thanks to the Lord at their Harvest Service. Pupils took part and Rev. Park brought the closing message.

It truly was a time to stop and return thanks to the Lord for all His goodness and faithfulness towards us throughout another year!
 

Increase at Sunbeams

The Sunbeams Pre-School got off to a great start this September (2010) with 12 children and a number of future enrollments for the months ahead. The Pre-sehool has increased steadily over the last 7 years – having started with just 4 pupils.
Last summer the room where they meet was renovated and enlarged, almost doubling its capacity – a move which has been very beneficial.

We are so grateful for all the workers the Lord has given us who give of their time voluntarily and work so enthusiastically with the children – they really are an encouragement to us! We pray that the Lord will continue to bless this area of His work and each of these little ones, ultimately drawing them to Himself.

Report by Mrs Boyd, Principal.

Here are some of the views of the day: – (click on pictures for a larger view)



We hope as many as possible will turn out but if you cannot attend why not send a donation  to the school made payable to ‘Ballymony Independent Christian School’

Photographs of the event will be published aftterwards.

What is a Bible based curriculum?

The Lord Jesus in His earthly ministry taught spiritual lessons in every situation and from familiar things. Remember the lessons He taught from lilies of the field, a grain of mustard seed and from the attitudes of the Pharisees. A Bible based curriculum seeks to follow the example of our Master. In every subject and lesson we seek to present and glorify God.
Not only is our curriculum Biblical in content, but it is delivered to the honour of God. Children are encouraged to do all to the glory of God, I Cor 10:31. Teachers train pupils to the very highest standard each child can attain. The external examination results obtained throughout the history of the schools are testament to the truth of this statement, as repeatedly we perform to the standard of grammar schools.
Last term a representative of a well-known and widely used educational publisher brought to Kilskeery samples of new publications for teachers to view. When staff members remarked that the level of the reading schemes on show was of a much lower standard than those we used, the representative explained that this was because children following the newest curriculum in the state system would not be ready for anything more challenging.
The curriculum is also perfectly balanced, is often very practical and cross-curricular links often add to the breadth of knowledge. Earlier this year Primary School pupils in Kilskeery studied the Linen Industry in their Geography classes. At the same time they were studying materials in Science, allowing them to look at the properties of materials like linen, and in Scripture they were studying the use of linen in the building of the Tabernacle.
There was particular excitement when the lessons reached beyond the classroom through a visit to the Linen Museum and a modem textiles firm (REACH) in Lisbum. Lessons within the classroom can also cause much excitement amongst pupils. Visits to the school laboratory were frequently requested when, as part of the study of Birds in Creation Studies, eggs were incubated and the hatched chicks were there to see.
A Bible based education will never contradict the teaching of a good Christian home, the Sabbath School teacher or the pulpit ministry. There is nothing more fitting for the child who at home and in Church is taught about the great Creator and mighty Redeemer than to be tutored in the day school using a Bible based curriculum.
As the Bible based curriculum was outlined and other State School Principals realised that the Christian Schools were not bound to follow every single trend enforced on State Schools by the Department of Education it was discernable that some of these Principals were somewhat envious of the freedom that we experience.

Visitors were able see many of the displays of work produced by the pupils.

There was time to try out some of the equipment in the ‘Sunbeams’ area.

Some goodies were on sale to help boost school funds.

The School Library.

Some smiling faces as the children take a moment to relax.

The new charity Act 2008, which will shortly come into law, will bring a number of major changes for all our Churches and Schools. A consultation period was allowed up to the end of November for charities and other interested bodies to make their views known.

Two main areas of concern were:

1. Would the affordability and accessibility’ requirements of the Public Benefit Test’, which all charities must undergo, affect our schools?

2. Would the requirements that charities do not engage in that which is ‘harmful’ and/or to the detriment’ of society impact our Schools and Churches? It was felt that this law could be used against our Schools or Churches when they set forth the Biblical teaching on subjects such as: ‘hell’ or moral issues like sodomy’.

While those present came away to a degree reassured by the comments made by the charity Commission representative, it was felt that this rule on harm’ and detriment’ will one day he used against charities that stand for the principles of the Word of God.

A written submission was subsequently sent in outlining our views and concerns.

The Christian Institute has raised the added issue of the absence of any recognition that evangelism is an essential aspect of the work of any Christian Charity.

Please pray that these concerns will be taken on board and included in the final guidance that is issued by the Commission.

The CEA ‘A Level’ course insists on a fictional post-1990 text being studied. The choices that are given are totally unsuitable for any young person never mind Christian young people.

A choice has to be made from four novels: The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien; The Butcher Boy, by ‘ Patrick McCabe; The Illusionist by “9
Jennifer Johnston and Paddy Clarke Ha-Ha-Ha, by Roddy Doyle. The storylines in these novels involve sodomy, domestic violence, attempted rape and an affair which results in a child being born.

The Lord’s name is frequently taken in vain. They are littered with expletives of the worst kind the whole way through, along with others obscenities and unsuitable names for ethnic groups.

We would call upon all parents of young people studying these novels for English ‘A Level’ to be aware of their unsuitable contents. There are no redeeming virtues in these storylines.
They are not included to warn against these sinful types of Cont’d from page 1 lifestyle or to discourage young people from going down a similar path. They are included simply to ‘spice up’ the story line and make it more appealing to young people in this vulgar age.

Sadly CEA have been unwilling to take on board our objections and we have been left with no alternative but to seek to sit English ‘A Level’ exams with another examination board.

We would ask Christian parents to raise their objections to the content of these novels and to pray that our collective opposition will make CEA
change their mind and introduce texts that are much more suitable. The
more that we pray and object the greater the possibility of change.