At a time when there are growing concerns about the spread of secularism and
humanism in schools across the UK, we are thankful for the continued Christian
influence in many schools in Northern Ireland. We must never take this for granted,
and we must pray much for Christian principals and teachers as they seek to
maintain that influence against growing opposition.
By way of an interesting example of encouragement, our attention has been drawn
to Caldicot School, Monmouthshire in Wales, where the principal, Mr Alun Ebenezer,
aged 50, who is an evangelical Christian, has turned a previously troubled and
unruly 1,300 pupil school into a model of excellence. According to press reports,
teachers had previously gone on strike over students’ bad behaviour, but Mr
Ebenezer brought in a range of different methods such as Saturday detentions,
university-style maths classes, and house choir competitions to instil discipline. He
also returned the school to wearing blazers and introduced rewards for high
attendance rates.
Not only has discipline been radically improved, so too have exam results with
significant increases in Grades at GCSE and “A” Levels. University applications
increased by 15 percent, with every applicant securing a place.
Mr Ebenezer said: 'Caldicot is not chasing trends. It is building a culture where every
child belongs, every child can achieve, and every child matters.'
Just one example, but a reminder that the sorts of values Mr Ebenezer has sought to
instil in his school in south Wales, and which stem from Biblical principles, are the
sorts of values needed, not only among our young people but in society in general.

Public Morals Committee