We turn to the origins of humanity for a reason to develop creative and critical thinking abilities in students. Being made in God’s image, we expect that there lies in each of us a creative urge and a desire to make, to re-arrange, to construct; that there will be an aesthetic element to all we do. Theologians tell us that we actually co-create with God because He continues to be intricately involved in the operation of the universe and sustains it by His ongoing word of power (Hebrews 1:3).

Living in the 21^st century, we are being told of the vital importance of graduating students who can think critically and creatively. This stems from the increasing complexity and diversity of our society and is seen as essential to solving the many problems and issues that modern society has generated and highlighted – pollution, social injustice, inequality, pandemics etc. It also stems from the fact that we now live in a "global village", with travel and communication opening up and creating opportunities for people from all over the world to live, work and interact together in ways unimagined in previous centuries.

We all stand amazed at what humans can do, and this has often led people to the worship and exaltation of humanity rather than a recognition that our abilities stem from our connection to the Great Creator. The Cultural Mandate of Genesis 1 calls us to use the resources of the world to develop it and sustain it and to use them for humankind’s benefit. This will involve fixing the problems created by humanity’s misuse of resources, whilst also finding new and more effective ways to utilise the earth’s resources for the good of humanity.

We are also thinking beings who can imagine and reflect and make connections intellectually in ways that far exceed that of the animal kingdom. Our thinking is (of course) affected by the Fall, so we do not always think well or constructively. Nevertheless, we are designed for thinking and so need to hone this ability well.

Thinking critically means developing the ability to assess a situation or problem from various perspectives, to work out the implications of various solutions, proposals or ideas and to do so objectively, recognising our own biases and being able to identify those of others. It means coming to an appropriate solution and involves us thinking about our own thinking processes to ensure we are reaching a suitable solution or perspective.

Critical thinking is not about attacking the ideas of others or tearing others down. Instead, it is working to get to the truth of a thing, to establish our views or perspectives on reasonable grounds, and being open to our minds being changed and our thinking re-shaped as we discover new material and consider other perspectives. It also requires the skills to communicate logically, rationally and reasonably, avoiding defensiveness and pride whilst maintaining integrity and surety.

We want our students to be creative in all they do, being willing not only to try new things but to ensure that all they do is aesthetically pleasing. We want them to be quality thinkers who live wisely. Creative thinking allows students to bring new perspectives and unique ideas to complex problems; to confidently explore alternate solutions and to think laterally and innovatively.

Phillip Nash

Principal