Oakville Christian School celebrates 30 years by Dominik Kurek Oakville Beaver Staff 5 | Friday, May 17, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com The non-profit Oakville Christian School (OCS) is all about Christ-centred education in an environment that strives for a high level of academic success. The Third Line school has had this focus for the past three decades, and is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary with the families that have been part of it during those years. "We're a great community full of parents who want nothing but the best for their kids and a school full of teachers who want to see their students succeed and go on to do great things," said principal Jeff Kennedy. "When you get parents who really care and are engaged and teachers who want nothing but the best for their students, then great things can happen when those two things come together." The OCS was founded by a small group of local business people who saw a need in Oakville for a Christian school, as some families were sending their children as far as to Toronto to get such an education. The group formed the idea in the spring of 1982 and through some hard work, the school opened on Sept. 13 of that year at the Third Line site of the former John Wilson Public School. The Oakville Christian School (OCS) is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. It recently held a celebration dinner at the Oakville Harbour and Banquet Centre for students, faculty, and parents -- past and present. Here, Roxanne Ole checks out photos from the past. photo by Eric Riehl Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog) That first year, there were 62 students and four teachers. Today, it remains on at the same property with more than 230 students attending. Pre-school to Grade 8 students have access to a variety of programs, from sports to en- richment, the latter being the OCS' effort to provide research-based education with curriculum modifications that gives students a chance to experience high-end learning that is challenging and enjoyable. "We're about deep, rich learning. This sometimes makes us take material and go deeper as opposed to going faster," Kennedy said. It's this high level of academics that has remained a constant over the years that has kept the school going strong. "Our focus on high academic standards for the kids has been the secret to success. You can do a lot of good things, but in the end, people invest in their child's education and it's the results that they see in their academic progress that allows people to say `Wow,'" Kennedy said. That, and a great staff, is why students enjoy going to school, Kennedy believes. The OCS is not exclusive to religious families, as it is accepting to everyone. "As a Christian school, we want to be open to receiving people wherever they are in their faith journey," Kennedy said. "People can find biblical education in a lot of places, but we feel like a huge aspect of what we do is that blend between a Christ-centred environment and community with a really high academic standard." The school has come a long way over time. Primary teacher Janet Black remembers the early years. The current Grade 2 teacher has been with OCS for 28 of the 30 years, the last 25 on a full-time basis. See OCS on p.10 You're invited. Please join us to celebrate our WHAT DO YOU U at least HAVE TO LOSE? ? a n inch! THIS GIFT VOUCHER ENTITLES YOU TO: OANO KV W IL IN LE ! Grand Opening in Oakville Location: 102-1320 Cornwall Oakville Tim D.Road, & Michelle D. Date: Thursday, June 6, 2013 Time: 12 PM to 3 PM Enjoy complimentary food & beverages and enter for a chance to win an Apple TV, two Blue Jays Tickets, a Keurig Coffee Machine and more amazing prizes. OUR GIFT TO YOU GUARANTEED FOR OFFER EXPIRES JUNE 14, 2013 OFF YOUR WAISTLINE 1 INCH FREE! NO Pu urchase necessary! For more details call: 905.337.7968 NO This voucher can only be redeemed by one individual & ory. requires a review and approval of basic medical history. Commitment! LT S R E S UT EED! G UA R A N BrokerLink.ca Contest is exclusive to BrokerLink's Oakville office. No purchase required. One entry per person. Draw date is June 6, 2013 at 3pm. Full contest details available at the Oakville BrokerLink office. Services available in Ontario through Canada Brokerlink (Ontario) Inc. TMBrokerLink & Design is a trademark of Canada Brokerlink Inc. used under license. © 2013 Canada Brokerlink Inc. All rights reserved. With YOLO Advanced Weight Loss the results are immediate! Using YOLO's innovative Curve Lipo Laser, you can watch your waist get smaller with EVERY SINGLE TREATMENT. Call 905.844.YOLO (9656) to book your inch loss NOW! Visit us online www.ExperienceYOLO.com 84 Lakeshore Rd W Oakville, ON L6K 1E1 advanced weight loss