Hands-up: Students and teachers of Liberton Christian School in Dunedin.

Liberton Christian School in Dunedin believes their ballooning roll is a sign of God’s blessing.

Principal Fiona Sizemore said prayer was a key to the Pine Hill school’s growth.

”Our board of trustees is really committed to serving the Christian community—helping parents to educate their children in a way that honours God,” said Mrs Sizemore.

The board of trustees has applied to the Ministry of Education for a roll-cap increase to a maximum of 100 pupils to meet the demand.

Mrs Sizemore said the roll was restricted to 75 pupils and, with present enrolments, it was expected to be at capacity by mid-year. “We were turned down in an application last year, but we’ve just had Education Review Office (ERO) visit us and we’ve got an excellent report.”

An application to the ministry last year was denied because the ministry believed there were still plenty of spaces for pupils at other North Dunedin schools.

The school was established in 1982 but was integrated into the state system in October 1999. The roll was increased from 62 to 75 in 2009.

Mrs Sizemore said integration helped reverse a falling roll, and improve the school’s performance.

While complying with the ministry’s national curriculum framework, the school’s years 1–8 curriculum is taught from a Christian perspective as set out in the school’s special-character statement.

”If you treat the child as a child of God it is going to have a radical impact on how you treat the child and nurture the child. We want to nurture young children to grow in their faith—it’s like a little plant—you need to water it and it will grow strong.”

Mrs Sizemore hoped to hear from the ministry about the application by the end of term 1.

By Aaron Ironside

Challenge Weekly, March 19, 2012