Governance Corner
As yet another year passes, I have been reflecting on the incredible work that our regional office do in supporting our learning communities. It is such a privilege to be part of a hard-working team that has a passion and desire to make Lutheran Education in our region a vibrant, relative, progressive and valuable contributor to society and our future leaders.
Here are just some of the key areas the regional team work in to help us achieve our goals:
- Supporting Compassionate Systems development (this is something I am so excited about which I feel gives us a great point of difference in the education space but more importantly the reflection of Christ’s love to the world in a practical way)
- Participation in the early childhood workforce fund
- Involvement in the non-government school registrations standards – providing valuable feedback and context
- EA negotiations over 3 states and territories
- Principals and Directors Development and Wellbeing
- Facilitating Contemporary Learning Tours
- Involvement in the Accreditation of Ministry Personnel collaborative project
- Identifying opportunities for growth and development in the region
- Continued support of the Women in Leadership program
- Working group for Gender Identity Policy
- Cultural Immersion Project Development
- Identifying synergies with other Lutheran agencies to provide a stronger partnership
- Strengthening our learning community boards with resources, advice and training
- Endorsing nearly $12 million in loans to learning communities to grow and improve facilities and services
I give thanks to God for Craig Fielke and his dedicated team for all they do. Their commitment and work ethic is second to none.
At our last board meeting we had the privilege of having Uncle Mickey O’Brien, A senior indigenous man and a descendent of the Kaurna (Adelaide Plains) and Narrunga (Yorke Peninsula) people, lead us in a cultural learning session. Covering indigenous culture, settlement patterns, spirituality, relationship to the land and history with white settlement. It was an honour to have Uncle Mickey share with us and provide us with such rich culture and history of our region. I encourage all of our boards to take the time during the year with local indigenous leaders to share their story at your board meetings.
As a board, we have renewed our strategic intentions for the coming few years to ensure that we are providing our learning communities with the best possible resource and support we can. I cannot thank our LESNW board enough for their wisdom, dedication and passion over the past year. We have a diverse board with great experience both in the education, business and finance fields who give their time freely to the work of LESNW.
With 2024 drawing to a close, I pray that we all look to the one who gives life as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and King. As it was over 2,000 years ago, God is with us here and now.
“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Heb 12:1-2)
Yours in His service
Paul
