Bright Beginnings
What a year it has been! 2020 has thrown challenges at us which none of us could have foreseen and yet we are pleased to report that our little community is flourishing! It has been astonishing to witness the energy and creativity of our teachers and staff as they developed programs and curricula for both remote and in-person learning. Faculty and staff at the Academy have worked hard to provide a safe and stable in-person learning environment. We remain committed to ensuring each of our students enjoys a safe and healthy atmosphere in which to learn and grow. Our students continue to explore diverse and challenging fields of knowledge, and have been delighted to at last be able to come together in person, as we continue to observe safety protocols in conformity with the directives of health authorities. Every curve ball thrown by this unprecedented year has been caught and fielded to wonderful effect.
This challenging year has given us opportunities to explore new ways to work together, pray together, and talk together about all the hard things that are happening in our world. There are a myriad of examples of love and hope that have emerged from our little community. We have learned to sacrifice and adjust expectations related to social life, knowing these are acts of love and kindness for others. Our children and all of us are better for this most strenuous of “teaching moments.” Thank you for your help and support as we come to the end of this rewarding year.
A Year of Freedom
I believe the truest form of freedom that an individual can attain is spiritual freedom. Usually when we hear about “freedom” it is in the context of politics, the relationships we keep, consumer choice and so on. There is no doubt that such freedom is quite valuable, but it is not freedom in its deepest sense. The freedom that God has given the world is beyond government, family and market options. His freedom for us is deep- er because it opens our hearts.
The years of youth are a time of wonder and discovery. Our curriculum and daily routine provide a comforting way for students to mature their intellect and forge new relationships. But Saint Basil Academy is also a safe place for them to explore the deeper questions of life. Here they can choose to discover God’s great love for humanity, shining brightly in the face of His Son Jesus Christ.
“Choose” is the operative word. God gives us a choice. We as a school respect this choice, while also giving spiritually healthy teachings that benefit students and staff.
Saint Paul teaches us that “it is for freedom that Christ set us free” (Gal 5:1). What does this mean? It means that He has given us the potential to open our hearts to Him and our fellow human beings. This is the potential we can attain both as individuals and as a school family.
No matter what anxiety is being carried around in the world, we have a chance to be a safe haven for our community. Our freedom as a Christian place gives us the opportunity to overcome doubt with faith, fear with courage and confusion with truth. Imagine the possibilities if we come together and attain such freedom!
Looking forward to good things,
Nima Duncan, Principal
Student Life
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