Bible-based education with Christian values in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Francois Olivier, Head Boy of Alexandria Christian Academy just returned from the USA where he was one of 71 nominees from Accelerated Christian Education schools in Africa and Scandinavia to attend the annual International Student Convention at the University of Missouri.

He brought back a gold medal for learning and reciting the whole book of Proverbs in one year. In total there where 2400 attendees from all over the world at the International Student Convention.

When you click on the photo to the right it opens a bigger version.

Two of our most cherished students, Sunet and Danielle Botha, moved to Port Elizabeth in the beginning of 2007 and now, after a year of change and adjustments, have given us a little feedback on what has happened in the previous year. When asked how they found the new challenges of public schooling, they simply said that it was really really a lot easier than what they have been told by everyond. Goal setting and constantly having to do ‘check-ups’ helped prepare them for exams, whilst the Christian training and sound Biblical principles helped them to make the right kind of choices and friends. The only major differences they experienced were that Collegiate was a girls-only school, the number of students compared to A.C.A. was a rather large 700:41, and many social and school clubs one could join. Other than that they stated that it was simply finding the group of friends you fitted in with and applying yourself to your schoolwork.

Academically they have adjusted well within the first year thanks to the solid foundation that was set by ACA. Danielle received an award for art, and platinum for an Afrikaans conquesta, and Sunet received a trophy and book prizes for bilingualism, an award for Afrikaans, and reached the top 20 in her class. The strong character building and leadership training in ACA showed off, as Sunet has been voted class captain this year and was vice-class captain in her first year at Collegiate.

ACA congratulates them on their achievements and is proud of them and the part ACA played in their forming years. They did say that they were thankful for the solid foundation they received here in Alexandria and

miss their friends as much as they are missed.

During the holiday I had the priviledge of attending a three-day bass fishing camp ath Phumla Lodge.  The lodge is run by Henry and Almarè Smith.  Although fishing took up most of our time, we had many activities to keep us busy, and even though I was super tired after the camp, I really enjoyed it and would advise everyone to give it a try!

By:  Deon Esterhuizen

Scientists have recently started research about how emotions play a part in a person’s health. Emotions have always been ignored as being too subjective for scientists to study. They have discovered that what we think and feel may determine whether one lives or dies. Two aspects, hope and love, are essential to Christian faith.

Hope
Hopeful people see the good in every situation and consider a difficult situation a challenge instead of a threat. Hopeful people see a challenge as a step in the right direction and is more likely to persevere. In the end, hopeful people tend to be more successful because they are more persistent and optimistic about small victories. Instead of falling into a depression every time a tragedy or betrayal strikes them, hopeful people are able to lift themselves out of the ashes and keep their heads high. They are able to find their strength in the Lord and lean on that instead of the opinions of people. Scientists have also seen that people that are hopeless, depressed or anxious are more likely to have heart attacks than hopeful people.

Love
Love is also good for your health. Health researchers have found that people in happy marriages had the lowest rate of depression. People who are happily married also generally live longer than those in unhappy marriages. Whether we like to admit it or not, each of us need to know that we are loved by the people around us. Living without relationships is as harmful to health as high cholesterol or smoking. Love was the basis on which God meant us to build our coexistence on. A little love from your side can really change an entire person’s life. Love is not something that comes and goes while a person is nice to you or when you’re having a good day, but a conscious commitment to support and stick to that person no matter what the circumstances. Love defies anger, contempt, jealousy and hatred. It is stronger than any human force and is a direct command from God. Although we do not always agree with people or even like them terribly much, it is our responsibility as Christians to love everyone around us in order to give the honor and praise to God.

Alexandria Christian Academy held its first ever Graduation Ceremony on 18 April 08. This event made a historical mark, with the school originating in the Zuney farm area as being Graafwater Primary School for many years.

Many of the students and their parents attended the Graafwater school. It relocated to Alexandria in 2002, where it also extended to high school, with the first ever graduates in Matric this year. This historic event was attended by all FET students, staff and governing board.

Photos: Girls: Rebecca Muller, Kristen Human, Tanya Esterhuizen, Nanje Olivier, Jo-Anne Wells, Suné van de Vyver, Hanneke Terblanche

Boys: Kurt, Josh, Jaryd Clarke, Gary Scheepers, Francois Olivier, Deon Esterhuizen, Ryno Viljoen.

Graduate Tanya Esterhuizen and Ryno Viljoen,

Jo-Anne Wells with Graduate: Francois Olivier

The announcement by Education Minister Naledi Pandor on Tuesday, that all South African school children will have to make a pledge of allegiance to the South African constitution was met by mixed reactions from all areas. ACA has been reciting a pledge of allegiance to the flag of South Africa during assemblies for the last seven years. The pledge is as follows: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of South Africa and to the Republic for which it stands. I will serve my country and obey its laws in accordance of the Word of God.”

Tanya Esterhuizen and Francois Olivier are the first Grade 12’s who will be graduating from Alexandria Christian Academy in 2008. Francois started working in the Accelerated Christian Education’s independant style of study when he was in Grade 4, and then was one of the first students of ACA in 2001. Tanya joined ACA when she was in Grade 7.

Francois was nominated for the second time for International Student Convention and will be attending in May in Missouri USA. They both feel that the ACE way of learning gives them a great advantage and that they look forward to furthering their studies. Francois has already aplied for Veterinary Studies and Tanya will study hairdressing at an Academy.