Character Development and Servant Leadership
Holistic Education
Heart, Habits, Head, and Hands
Holistic education at Christian Alliance P.C. Lau Memorial International School (CAPCL) can be elaborated with 4Hs. They are Heart, Habits, Head, and Hands. As illustrated by the school logo, which is a tree rooted in streams of water, our teaching and learning are grounded in "heart-work". It is written that "keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life" (Proverb 4:23). How do our learners guard their heart from the distortion of pride and fear? It requires a humble heart. Humility allows us to have the right relationship with God, with self, and with others. A humble person has a healthy self-image, is teachable, and appreciates others’ strength. Humility makes room for one to learn from criticism, mistakes, and confrontation, as well as gives courage for one to take risks in overcoming uncertainty. Furthermore, CAPCL aims to support learners to develop healthy and godly habits. They are mighty learners and citizens who look after themselves and care for others. Building on the solid foundation of "heart-work" with healthy and godly habits, learners are ready to learn and apply their learning. This is represented by the school logo – a tree which flourishes with green leaves and bears good fruits. CAPCL is intentional in integrating Biblical truth with the Alberta Bilingual curriculum. Learners have opportunities to apply what they learn (Head) into services (Hands) to one another within the school community and in our neighbourhood. As mighty learners and citizens, CAPCL learners are servant leaders and community leaders – to be an example in speech and behaviour, in love, faith, and purity. CAPCL believes that development of these four domains – heart, habits, head, and hands – bring forth quality holistic education.
Christian Education
Grow in God's Love
The philosophy of Christian education begins with the fundamental belief that every learner is special, unique and valuable. God has a plan and purpose for everyone, and everybody needs God. Therefore, Christian Alliance P.C. Lau Memorial International School (CAPCL) encourages each learner to develop his/her relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ. The gospel is life transforming and prepares learners for a purposeful and fulfilling life. Christian education goes beyond dispensing information and imparting knowledge; Christian education highlights the importance of wisdom. Wisdom allows one to see self and his/her situation in a greater context, and then assign proper weight to things. Learners discern to do the right things, in the right way, at the right time and place, and most importantly, for the right reasons. Learners see and understand their world through the perspective of God's revealed truth.
A unique distinction of Christian education is that parents have the ultimate responsibility to educate their children (Deuteronomy 6:7). Hence, the school takes the role of parents' partner in nurturing, developing and shaping godly character and spiritual values of these learners. Values that are taught at CAPCL are further reinforced at home so that learners can grow up with appropriate socialization skills to function in society. As a community, not only do CAPCL learners explore the Christian way of understanding, but also the Christian way of living. Characterized by love modelled by Christ, CAPCL is a caring, safe, respectful and welcoming community where members appreciate differences, celebrate diversity and use their gifts to serve one another. We are Christ’s ambassadors and Christ-like servant leaders. The school is a Christ-centered, learner-focused, and others-oriented learning community. We look forward to partnering with you on this journey.
Praise and Worship
Flourish in God's Grace
Christian Alliance P.C. Lau Memorial International School (CAPCL) strives to be a Christ-centered, learner-focused, and others-oriented community. The book of Hebrews provides the blueprint to build such a community with God’s blessings and promises. In our attitude toward God,
Let us revere the Holy God (4:1) Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart (10: 22) Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence (4:16) Let us be thankful (12:28) Let us offer to God a sacrifice of praise (13:15)
In everything that we do,
Let us be diligent (4:12) In our relationship with one another,
Let us spur one another on toward love and good deeds (10:24) Let us encourage one another (10:25) Along the spiritual journey,
Let us press on to maturity (6:1) Let us run with perseverance (12:2) As witnesses to the outsiders,
Let us hold firmly to the faith we profess (4:14) Let us hold to the hope we profess (10:23) The apostle Paul does not tell us to be like the body of Christ, but that "you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it" (1 Corinthians 12:27). The apostle Peter echoes Paul's teaching that "you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession" (1 Peter 2:9a). It is instructive that Peter does not refer to a chosen person, a single priest, or an individual citizen. To follow Jesus is to be part of a community. Hence, let us roll up our sleeves, join hands, and build our community as a place where members are able to make use of their gifts and feel validated about their abilities; as a place where members respect, appreciate, and celebrate their differences; as a place where members are delighted to use their talents to serve one another; and as a place where members treasure their sense of belonging, grow and support one another.
CHRISTLIKE SERVANT LEADERS
Children at Christian Alliance P.C. Lau Memorial International School (CAPCL) serve each other and reach out to others in our community. They are fond of Community Time when upper primary children work with lower primary children and help them to complete different missions. Students may also volunteer to serve at their Treehouse Library. They are always prepared to share their love with others, such as hand-knitting scarves as gifts for others, distributing festive gifts at the elderly center, carolling, beach-cleaning, and more…As a Christ-centered, learner-focused, and others-oriented community, we strive to serve like Jesus. The term servant leadership was first coined by Greenleaf (1970) in his seminal essay, The Servant as Leader. The servant-leader is servant first... It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead... The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served. The best test is: do those served grow as persons; do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And what is the effect on the least privileged in society; will they benefit, or at least, not be further deprived? (p.13) The desire to be servant-first cannot be imposed but is a personal choice for life. The motive is to help others. A servant-leader is interested in developing others. A servant-leader has emergent power and uses such power to serve. As a result, everyone goes further into realization of his/her potential, reaching closer into finding the significant meaning of life, and living a fulfilled life by serving others. Servant-leadership is exemplified in Jesus Christ, in the fusion of transcendence and humility. Jesus, as presented in the Holy Bible, is the Son of God. However, he is described as the ‘holy servant Jesus' (Acts 4:27). He humbled himself and was born in a manger (Luke 2:1-7). He lived an earthly life. He was personable and his actions were fueled by love. He taught his disciples, preached to the masses, healed the sick, and befriended the outcasts of the society. He even washed his disciples’ feet after a long day of work. The Son of God made His dwelling among mankind (John 1:14). This implies a blend of transcendence and immanence. It states that "even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). 
The Parable of the Good Samaritan is a practical outworking of the servant-hood aspect of servant-leadership principles. It illustrates how one should love God and serve others, the greatest commandment in Christianity (Matthew 22:34-40). A servant-leader is one who chooses to be available and extends a helpful hand to those who are marginalized and in need of help. Servant-leadership is not about position, power, or prestige but willingness to look out for the interests of others above self-interest (Philippians 2: 3-4). Dr. Cora Hui, Head of School, is an educational researcher. She argues that servant leadership cultivates grit and a growth mindset in learners (2016) and supports wellness development of youngsters (2018). Teachers, as servant-leaders , meet learners' social, cognitive and motivational needs of students (2017). When the cumulated works of a servant leader fit together into a unified optimal experience, he/she finds fulfillment and lives a meaningful life (2021). 
Finally, we are living in the age of information. It is no longer the holders of information, but the critical thinkers and analysts that meet the demand of this era. Furthermore, it is beyond acquisition of knowledge and skills, but in conjunction with integrity and discernment, that build prosperous and sustainable future. Hence, the purpose of education can be to liberate learners' potential so that they "become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servant" (Greenleaf, 1970, p.13). The purpose of education can be to develop the next generation of servant-leaders, who have a strong sense of morality, and who are committed to ethical practices in building a service-oriented community. This implies that learning in the classroom is more than a series of performance goals, and declarative and procedural knowledge. Learning should aim for responsive and responsible autonomy.
Reference:Greenleaf, R.K. (1970). The servant as leader. Indianapolis, IN: Robert K. Greenleaf Center.Chan, K.W. C. (2016). Servant leadership cultivates grit and growth mindset in learners. Servant Leadership: Theory & Practice, 3(2), 12-22 https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/sltp/vol3/iss2/2/Chan, K.W.C. (2017). Learners’ perceptions of servant-leadership. International Journal of Servant-Leadership, 11. https://www.gonzaga.edu/-/media/Website/Documents/Academics/School-of-Leadership-Studies/DPLS/IJSL/Vol-11/IJSL-Vol-11-15-Chan.ashx?Chan, K.W.C. (2018). Servant leadership supports wellness development in adolescents. Servant Leadership: Theory & Practice, 5(2), 41-52. https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/sltp/vol5/iss2/3/Chan, K. W. C (2021) Servant Leadership, Optimal Experience, and Meaningful Life, Servant Leadership: Theory & Practice, 8(1), Article 4. https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/sltp/vol8/iss1/4Chan, K. W. C (2022) Serving our Children During and After COVID-19: Application of Shepherd Leadership at Home and School: Theory & Practice, 9(1), Article 3. https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/sltp/vol9/iss1/3/
Serve One Another
Values of Our Learning Communities
Small is beautiful! At Christian Alliance P.C. Lau Memorial International School (CAPCL) early learning community, our learners know each other and serve one another. We value to participate – actively and authentically – in the daily decisions of life and living. We make choices, express ideas, and act upon our daily experiences by asking questions and expressing our opinions. Each member participates and has one's perspectives heard and respected. Everyone contributes to the community in the ways that they care for and about one another. Young children can gain awareness, appreciation, and respect for one another when they play and learn in communities that explore questions such as, What is fair? What is equal? What is equitable? How am I valued? How do I value and serve others? Understanding, appreciating, and respecting our commonalities and our differences strengthens our community. We acknowledge that there are many ways to doing, being, living, and learning, and that these differences connect to how people experience and view the world – their social and cultural experience. Deeply connecting with/in our physical world begins with being responsibly playful in nature. We develop our stewardship of nature and living things through learning and watching and acting and caring about the world, on the ground, in the water, and through the air.
Source Credit: Flight Alberta’s Early Learning and Care Framework (2014)
Characteristics of Christlike Leaders
Christian Alliance P.C. Lau Memorial International School (CAPCL) emphasizes on servant leadership development in learners. The ten characteristics of CAPCL servant leaders are:
Listening
Listening is an attitude and commitment towards understanding self and others. The Chinese character "listening" shows that active listening requires us to listen with our ears, eyes, and heart.
Empathy
The development of empathy stretches one to step outside of self, to focus on others and their context. It broadens CAPCL learners' perspectives.
Healing
A servant leader extends helpful hands to those who are in need.
Mindfulness
CAPCL learners are encouraged to develop habits of quietness and reflection, as well as evaluate situations from complementary and contradictory perspectives.
Persuasion
CAPCL learners convince, instead of coerce, others to reach a consensus within teams. They are assertive but not aggressive in their interactions with others.
Conceptualization
CAPCL learners are guided by their teachers to develop conceptual thinking and thorough planning strategies.
Foresight
CAPCL learners evaluate the lessons from the past, the realities of the present, and the likely consequences of a decision for the future.
Stewardship
CAPCL learners make good use of their resources and time to serve others.
Growth Mindset
CAPCL teachers model and instill a growth mindset in students.
Building Community
Individuals find their sense of belonging and identity, and they give and receive support from one another within the CAPCL community.
Who We Are in Christ
Identity-based habit formation
At Christian Alliance P.C. Lau Memorial International School (CAPCL), we expose God's truth through our curriculum. In doing so, we find out who we are in Christ and whom we serve. We are:
God Worshippers
who understand that worshiping God is about celebrating who God is, what God has done and is doing, and what God has created.
Earth Keepers
who respond to God’s call to be stewards of all creation.
Beauty Creators
who create beauty that praises God and enriches our world.
Creation Enjoyers
who celebrate God’s beautiful handiwork and give testimony to the presence of God in creation
Servant Workers
who work actively to heal brokenness and bring joy to individuals and to culture.
Community Builders
who are active pursuers and builders of community in our classrooms, in our neighbourhoods, and in the global village.
Image Reflectors
who bear the image of God in our daily lives. Being an image bearer isn’t something we DO. An image bearer is who we ARE.
Order Discoverers
who see God’s masterful planning and His fingerprints all over creation.
Justice Seekers
who act as agents of restoration.
Idolatry Discerners
who learn to "read" a worldview by asking questions about what is being portrayed in regard to culture, values, and belief systems.
Reference:The Prairie Centre for Christian Education (2018) Teaching for Transformation. https://www.pcce.ca/Teaching-for-Transformation
Mighty Learners
Nurturing Children's Disposition to Learn
Christian Alliance P.C. Lau Memorial International School (CAPCL) uses Alberta Program of Study. Our overarching learning and teaching outcomes are:‧ Our students are successful‧ Our school has excellent teachers and leaders‧ Our operational systems are well governed and managed We aim for students to achieve success as engaged thinkers and ethical citizens with an entrepreneurial spirit.
Knows how to think critically and creatively and make discoveries through inquiry, reflection, exploration, experimentation and trial and error; Is competent in the arts and sciences, including languages; Uses technology to learn, innovate, collaborate, communicate and discover; Has developed a wide range of competencies in many areas, including gathering, analysis and evaluation of information; Is familiar with multiple perspectives and disciplines and can identify problems and then find the best solutions; As a team member, integrates ideas from a variety of sources into a coherent whole and communicates these ideas to others; Adapts to the many changes in society and the economy with an attitude of optimism and hope for the future; As a lifelong learner, believes there is no limit to what knowledge may be gleaned, what skills may be accumulated, and what may be achieved in cooperation with others; and Always keeps growing and learning.
Understands that it is not all about them, has learned about and is appreciative of the effort and sacrifice that built this city and country, and sees beyond self-interests to the needs of the community; Is committed to democratic ideals; Contributes fully to the world economically, culturally, socially and politically; As a steward of the earth, minimizes environmental impacts; Builds relationships through fairness, humility and open mindedness, with teamwork, collaboration and communication; Engages with many cultures and languages, values diversity in all people and adapts to any situation; Demonstrates respect, empathy and compassion for all people; Cares for themselves physically, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spirituality; Is able to ask for help, when needed, from others, and also for others; and Assumes the responsibilities of life in a variety of roles.
Is motivated, resourceful, self-reliant and tenacious; Continuously sets goals and works with perseverance and discipline to achieve them; Through hard work, earns achievements and the respect of others; Strives for excellence and personal, family and community success; Is competitive and ready to challenge the status quo; Explores ideas and technologies alone or as part of diverse teams; Is resilient, adaptable, able and determined to benefit the community and, by extension, the world; Develops opportunities where others only see adversity; Has the confidence to take risks and make bold decisions in the face of adversity, recognizing that to hold back is to be held back; and Has the courage to dream.
Alberta’s PISA results
Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is an international assessment of the knowledge and skills of 15-year-old students in the areas of reading, mathematics, and science. PISA was created in 1997 by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and has been conducted every 3 years since 2000. In the PISA 2018 study released on December 3, 2019, Canadian students ranked the fourth in the world, in the average performance including reading, mathematics and science. Results showed Alberta remaining relatively unchanged from the previous test, which is held every three years since 2000. Alberta averaged 534 in science (541 in 2015) and reading 532 (533), well above other parts of the country. Mathematics remained unchanged at 511.
PISA Results – Highlights
Alberta students had a score of 532, which was 12 points higher than the Canadian average, and 45 points higher than the OECD average of 487. Alberta was highest in Canada. Internationally, Alberta’s score was tied for 3rd with Macao-China, Hong Kong-China, Ontario and Estonia. Only Singapore and Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang (BSJZ)-China achieved scores that were higher than Alberta.
Alberta students achieved a score of 511. Alberta’s score was 3rd highest in Canada (but only Quebec performed statistically better than Alberta), slightly below the Canadian average of 512 and 23 points above the OECD average of 489. Internationally, Alberta’s score was tied for 9th Five international jurisdictions that are not OECD members (HongKong-China, Macao-China, Singapore, BSJZ-China and Chinese Taipei), as well as three OECD member countries (Estonia, Japan and Korea) scored significantly higher than Alberta.
Alberta students achieved an average score of 534, the highest in Canada. The average score for Canadian students was 518, well above the OECD, and 45 points higher than the OECD average of 487. Internationally, Alberta’s score was tied for 4th. Only students in BSJZ-China, Singapore, and Macao-China achieved scores that were higher than Alberta.
Alberta's PISA Performance
Rank Internationally Within Canada Science 4th - tied 1st Mathematics 9th - tied 3rd - tied Reading literacy 3rd - tied 1st
No English-speaking country does better than Alberta.
Click image for full table
Sources and Credit:ECS to Grade 12 Guide to Education, Alberta EducationEducation studies, https://www.alberta.ca/education-studies.aspx?utm_source=redirector#toc-1Canada's overall result https://www.oecd.org/pisa/publications/PISA2018_CN_CAN.pdfInformation from AAIS Leadership Summit 2020
Play, Participate, Possibilities
Values for our Learning Processes
At Christian Alliance P.C. Lau Memorial International School (CAPCL), children’s dispositions are revealed to us in their play, learning, and daily experiences. The following five dispositions to learn reflect the image of a capable, strong, and resourceful child who is an agentic and active learner – a mighty learner and citizen. The combination of “I/We” is used intentionally to remind us that care, play, and learning are always both individually and socially constructed.
1. I/We are playing and playful:
I/We are inventing, creating, and imagining. I/We are creating and testing theories. I/We are telling and directing narratives and stories. I/We are exploring and representing our knowledge using multimodal literacies. I/We are taking risks in/for learning.
2. I/We are seeking:
I/We are questioning. I/We are exploring with all our senses. I/We are wondering and are curious. I/We are solving problems in our play and learning.
3. I/We are participating:
I/We are engaging with others. I/We are listening to and sharing ideas, thoughts, and feelings. I/We are negotiating, taking turns, and observing.
4. I/We are persisting:
I/We are persevering with challenges and/or difficulties. I/We are trying new strategies. I/We are asking for help. I/We are striving to reach our own goals.
