At Surrey Christian School, we are grappling with the question: “What does it mean to invite students into deeper learning experiences?” In other words, what does ‘deeper learning’ mean within the context of Surrey Christian School? And while this question represents a journey for us as a staff, we are being guided by the following working definition of ‘deeper learning’: People of God’s story engaged in real work that forms self and shapes the world.

So, what does it mean to approach learning as participation in “God’s Story?” Learning in God’s story is not primarily about content, but about experience. Our participation is not only about what we think, but also about our deepest hopes for ourselves and the world in light of God’s story. Our role in God’s story is discovered by looking inward, realizing who we are as image bearers, and looking outward, as we explore our world and see where God is at work within it. Deeper learning in Christian education provides a way to learn content and skills, and to develop the character of Christ through aligning the unique gifts of the learner with the deep needs of the world.

For students and educators at Surrey Christian School, ‘Deeper Learning’ invites us to become engaged in God’s story, equips us to play our unique role, and empowers us to apply our knowledge and skills to produce real work that meets real needs for real people.

So, what does this look like? This looks like our grade 2 students spending time with seniors every two weeks to build relationships and to write their life stories. It looks like our grade 11 computers class building websites for non-profit organizations. It looks like our grade 5 students partnering with new moms weekly in our learning commons. It looks like our Secondary Campus biology classes teaching our grade 3 students about ecosystems in Tynehead Park. Our students participating in work that matters – here and now – that forms self, and shapes the world.