Anglican Schools Commission
Celebrating Advent and a
New Chapter in Anglican Education
The Revd Peter Laurence OAM, CEO, Anglican Schools Commission
Advent is a busy time in schools, as it is in parishes, agencies and households everywhere, when we prepare to celebrate the joy, hope and promise found in the Christ-child. Amidst the busyness, Advent is a time to pause and reflect on the simple truths of our faith, which schools do so well in their end-of-year celebrations, from Nativity Plays to Carol Services and Presentation Ceremonies. These truths – of faith, hope and love as Christians find in Jesus — lie at the heart of the Anglican Schools Commission’s (ASC) mission, from our founding in 1985 to today.
For four decades, the ASC has offered high-quality, accessible Anglican education, empowering students to live lives of purpose and meaning. Our schools provide so much more than simply ‘knowledge’. They offer a sense of hope, belonging, and connection through our shared Anglican Identity, welcoming students, their families and our staff from diverse communities in the three states in which we operate - Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
This Advent, the ASC also looks forward to a new chapter. From January next year, the Anglican Schools Commission will be known as AngliSchools - a name that strengthens our identity and unifies the pillars of who we are: Anglican in faith, and Schools in impact. AngliSchools represents our legacy, the communities we serve, and our future vision: to be Australia’s leading provider of inclusive Anglican education.
This rebrand is not a departure. It’s an evolution, a celebration of our heritage and a step forward to position us for the next stages of our incredible journey. Our mission remains the same. Our values of faith, excellence, justice, respect, integrity and inclusion remain unchanged. Our commitment to sharing the love and hope found in Jesus through learning, worship, care and service is stronger than ever as our schools provide environments where each student can be their best self.
As we move through Advent to the great season of Christmas, we remember the call to live Jesus’ teachings daily, wherever we may be. This is the privilege of Anglican schooling: to bring the Gospel story to life, by being places which embody an incarnational, invitational and interactive faith.
This is my final Messenger article as the CEO of the Anglican Schools Commission… but fear not. Look out for my article in the February 2025 Messenger, as CEO of AngliSchools!
Thank you to everyone in our schools, for your faithful and dedicated service to the students in your care, each and every day this past year. I wish you all a purpose-filled Advent, a joyful Christmas and a holiday which brings refreshment and renewal.