Ottawa Christian School celebrates its jubilee
School continues building legacy of excellence
Wendy Noble
Special to Spur Ottawa
Graduates of Ottawa Christian School (OCS), work in a wide variety of professions, from commerce to agriculture, government to Christian ministry. This weekend, the private elementary school is inviting them all back, along with school supporters and families, to celebrate their jubilee anniversary.
The celebration, at the Barrhaven school, includes a barbecue, family games, and worship led by alumni and Nashville recording artist Dana Jorgenson.
Paul Triemstra, also an OCS graduate, has served as the school principal for more than 13 years. He says the founders were not inspired to establish the school by any particular event, rather, “Christian education was bred to their bone.”
Among the wave of immigrants coming to Canada following World War II was a group of Christians who had been involved in Christian schools in the Netherlands. In 1958, a group of them felt there were enough churches in Ottawa to support the establishment of a Christian-based school. They were not just parents who felt a responsibility to their own children, but believers who wanted to invest in all children whose families were members of the body of Christ.
Today the student body is truly interdenominational, with students from Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, and Catholic traditions.
When OCS opened, in 1966, 50 children enrolled. The school’s constant growth led them to move twice. This year 220 students are enrolled, from in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8. They have 11 home-room classes.
Their new location in Barrhaven allowed them to add an enhanced program for gifted students, computer lab, designated music room, combined art and science classroom, learning support classroom, as well as a spacious library and a full-sized gym.
Principal Triemstra says he sees “faithfulness from generation to generation,” as OCS students he taught years ago are now enrolling their children. Some of those children are even in his own family.
As they mark their 50th year, Triemstra says they plan to continue expanding the programs they offer. They already offer personalized programs that are difficult to find in the public school system. Triemstra explains that they recognize that everyone learns differently.
“[We] craft pedagogy in such a way that meets the students’ needs and learning style.”
He says this focus on addressing each child’s unique learning needs, as well as teaching children to view the world through the lens of scripture, are key areas where OCS distinguishes itself from public schools.
The anniversary barbecue runs from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on September 24.
Similar Articles
9th-Hour Theatre Company explores miracles to launch 2020 season
The 9th-Hour Theatre Company is launching their 10th anniversary season with Halo, a comedic drama about a strange miracle at a small-town Tim Hortons. “I think everyone can relate to the idea of ‘What if something happened that couldn’t be explained […]
Christian camps facing crisis
The Ontario government has banned summer camps this year, warning that they may not allow day camps, either. These restrictions leave youth pastors scrambling to re-envisioning the summer’s ministry, but they present far bigger challenges for the region’s many Christian camps […]
Creative outreach inspires broad collaboration
Browsing information tables, students contemplate a variety of activities they can participate in during Frosh Week at the University of Ottawa. Among the tables, a scavenger hunt […]
Helping men to Armour Up
Ottawa PointMen is hosting their annual Armour Up men’s conference. Now in its third year, Armour Up organizers want to build on the events’ past successes, taking men into deeper relationships with God. This year’s theme is “Stand […]
Standing up for conscience rights
While Canadians wait for the Liberals to introduce legislation on physician assisted suicide, numerous Christian organizations are sounding alarm bells about the importance of protecting doctors’ conscience rights. Although the new laws have not yet been tabled, several provincial […]
Retired chaplain streams hope to Ontario prison ministries
After 31 years of prison chaplaincy ministry, Carl Wake has retired, but the most fruitful part of his ministry may only be starting. He is re-envisioning and working with a network of others to help energize […]