October 2009
Our 2009-2010 school year is off to a great start. Students are engaged in learning, friendships are being developed and the regular routines of being back to school are once again established. I am trusting God that as these school routines are carried out, each student at MBCI will receive an education that is Christ focused.
Every year we set goals for MBCI and establish priorities for the school year. Every teacher is asked to complete their Individual Professional Growth Plan and as Administration we look at the year to determine the direction for MBCI.
This past year the MBCI Board developed a strategic plan. Together with administration, parents and teachers the Board looked at “How does MBCI become more excellent?” We concluded that our school has five distinctives: 1) Culture, 2) Academics, 3) Athletics, 4) Music, 5) Performing & Visual Arts. These distinctives define who MBCI is and what areas our school does very well for our students. Then the Board looked at what we could do as a school to become better and these strategies evolved.
1. Enhance the student experience to attract student and increase retention rates so that an enrollment of 600 students is attained and continued
2. Continue significant ongoing financial investment in MBCI by:
- Completing the 2001 strategy
- Allocating investable cash from operations
3. Extend development efforts beyond current capital focus by:
- Reflecting MBCI’s inclusivity
- Actively forging linkages with alumni, parents, supporting churches and non-MB community.
MBCI is a supportive place that wants the best for everyone who attends. I have confidence that God has many exciting things in store for us this year and in the future.
The school continues to be a busy place. Classes are well underway and the teachers and students are working hard at the task of teaching and learning. It is also good to see students learning in other ways. Our Grade 8 students and several teachers have just returned from Red Rock Bible Camp, our annual Outdoor Education Program. The volleyball teams have been practicing hard and games have begun. Our Student Council is busy planning events for the year. The program of learning at MBCI is definitely in full swing.
In this newsletter you will find information that will be useful in keeping you up-to-date about what is happening at school. I trust that together we will continue to work at the challenge of providing a Christian education for everyone in our MBCI community.
Norbert Bargen