The BVCS Society

Bulkley Valley Christian School is owned and operated by the Bulkley Valley Christian School Society. This society is made up of members who share an interest in Christian education and who have met all requirements for membership in the society.

Our members are parents, grandparents, donors, alumni and others. They represent various church backgrounds but hold in common a commitment to the Christian faith, a desire for Christian education to flourish and a commitment to upholding the purposes of the BVCS Society.

I'm already a member. Do I have to renew?

Yes. All memberships expire on September 15, with a new membership year starting on that date. All members must renew annually. The form below can be used to renew your membership.

I'm not a member. How can I become one?

Contact the BVCS office. Note that new applications are subject to a one-year “applicant” period during which new applicants must attend (in person) at least one of the two AGMs that are held during the year. Membership is not granted until the one-year applicant period has completed and other criteria have been met.

Is membership in the society required of parents?

Membership is not required or automatically applied to BVCS parents. However, parents are strongly encouraged to become society members—it gives you a greater voice in participating in the governance and direction of BVCS. Application for society membership may be made using the form below.

Why does membership matter?

Our school is governed and run by the interest and investments of our members. Members serve on our board and committees. Members participate in important decisions through our biannual society meetings. Members provide the governance, support and direction that are needed to make BVCS flourish. Without members in the society, BVCS could not exist.

What are the criteria to become a member of the BVCS Society?

Membership in the BVCS Society is open to anyone who meets all of the following criteria:

  • Are practicing Christians that attend a Christian church on a regular basis and can provide a pastoral reference.
  • Have a clear desire for Christian education
  • Are at least the age of majority
  • Annually signify agreement with and endorsement of the basis and principles of the Society set out in the constitution and bylaws of the Society, including the foundational Statements of Faith and principles set out in sections 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 of the bylaws and pay the society membership fee.
  • Pay applicable membership dues
  • Attend at least one of either the Spring or Fall Society meeting in person in the first year of application

Full criteria and procedures are outlined in relevant policies and procedures documents as well as in our constitution. Documents are available through the office upon request.

Can grandparents, donors or other supporting people become members?

Yes, we welcome membership applications from supporters of all kinds.

Can I renew with a paper form instead of online?

Yes. Just come to the BVCS office during school hours to manually complete a hard-copy membership renewal form, or download and print this PDF before returning it to the office. It doesn’t take long to complete.

Principles of the Bulkley Valley Christian School Society

Taken from the Constitution and Bylaws of Bulkley Valley Christian School Society.

All parents and/or society members must annually signify agreement with and endorsement of the basis and principles of the Society set out in the constitution and bylaws of the Society, including the Foundational Statements of Faith and Principles set out in sections 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 of the constitution and bylaws.. These Foundational Statements are included below.

1.1 Foundational Statements of Faith

The supreme standard of the BVCS Society is the Word of God written, the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, the only infallible guide for faith and practice. These scriptures are here confessed to be the Word of God according to the conception of it embodied in the historic creeds of the Reformed churches such as the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, the Westminster Confession of Faith and other Reformed creeds. In harmony with the above statements we confess the following:

  • Creation: That “the world was created by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible” (Heb.11:3 ESV). By this act of creation God gave “all creatures their being, form, and appearance and their various functions for serving their Creator” and “God also sustains and governs them all, according to his eternal providence and by his infinite power, that they may serve humanity, in order that humanity may serve God.” (Belgic Confession, Art. 12)
  • The Fall: That through the fall of humanity into sin in paradise, their hearts became corrupt, and their minds were darkened so that they cannot rightly know God and His world unless they are regenerated by the Spirit of God. Through the fall of humanity, creation also was cursed and subjected to bondage. (Rom. 8:20, 21)
  • Redemption: That God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into this world to redeem fallen humanity and to restore the creation to its original position. In Christ, the second Adam, the creation is set free from its bondage to decay and will one day obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God (Rom. 8:21 ESV). Christ is the key to true knowledge, for in Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col.2:3).
  • Humanity’s Calling: That humanity was created in the image of God, and was thereby called into office as vice-regent of God, to have dominion over God’s creation and subdue it in the service of God as prophet, priest, and king, that they may confess His name, present themselves as living sacrifices to Him, and rule with Him over all creatures (Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 12);
  • Kingdom: That the Kingdom of God, as it was established in Christ, His Son, is a present reality which embraces the entire cosmos. As subjects of the King, we are called to promote His Kingdom as good stewards of His manifold gifts. We are to teach our children how to live in God’s world as loyal subjects of Christ Jesus. The Kingdom shall reach its completion when Christ shall return and God shall be all in all (I Cor. 15:28); and
  • Parents: That we believe the primary responsibility for education rests with the parents, to whom the Lord entrusts children. They must, therefore, accept this obligation in view of the covenantal relationship which God established with believers and their children. By virtue of the covenant of grace these children belong to God and must be taught to live as obedient children of their heavenly Father in His domain. Such education must be of a high quality and in fundamental harmony with what is taught in the home (Deut. 6:7).
1.2 Basis and Principles for Education at BVCS

Based on the statements in section 1.1 above, the following Foundational Principles for Education provide the framework for Christian Education at the Society.

  • Educational effort is rooted in a historic reformed world and life view: Christ is Lord of all, He reveals Himself in His Word and works, He is the source of all love and grace, all glory is due to Him, and our faith in Him marks and changes our lives and enables us to be ambassadors for Him. Our educational institution is shaped in its faith and scholarship by these central principles about good quality education:
  • Education is informed by the unique authority of the Bible: We are committed to the infallibility and inerrancy of the Scriptures. We recognize that the Holy Bible, including both the Old and New Testament, represents the whole counsel of God. It shows us the way of salvation, and is the ultimate authority for the life and practice of all believers.
  • Education deals with the created reality of the world: We believe that God is the sole source of the entire created order. He designed it well and without flaw, for the purpose of glorifying God. When considered through the lens of Scripture, our study of the things God has done and made cause us to know and love Him more.
  • Education considers the effect of sin: We believe that sin entered the world by humanity’s rebellion against God, affecting every aspect of creation, including every area of human life. All parts of creation, including our minds, are caught up in the great rebellion against the Creator. Human beings are sinners by nature, alienated from God. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can they experience eternal salvation through faith.
  • Education focuses on God’s plan of redemption: We profess that God graciously preserves the world, holding all things in his tender embrace and bending them to his purpose. God not only saves our souls; He redeems our whole person. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, He sets our thinking and emotions free from the power of sin in order for us to become useful for the work of God. As redeemed persons, our thoughts, emotions, wills and habits are given new direction.
  • Education enables restoration to take place: We are called as new persons we and enabled to be God’s stewards who endeavor to return our physical world and human relationships to the state and design that God intended for them. This work of restoration requires a sound understanding of all created things.
  • Education belongs to the parents: We recognize that it is God’s special gift when he chooses to place children and adults in a context of a community where people love God and desire to live for Him. This covenant relationship obliges Christian parents to engage their children in education for a life of obedience to their calling in this world as image bearers of God.
1.3 Educational Creed

Based on the statements in section 1.1 and 1.2 above, our historic reformed world and life view have offered us distinctive insights that shape the character of learning and interactions in our Christian School. Consequently, participants in the educational process in the Society will be engaged as per the following Educational Creed:

  • Creation: We eagerly study the physical world as part of God’s truth. God is sovereign. He created the world and gave it purpose.  We realize that learning can lead to important, complex, and challenging questions that will tell us much about God, creation, and about how to live.
  • Students: We love, value and respect every student regardless of academic potential, physical ability, personality, socio-economic status, or race. God has made each person in His image for His glory. Classroom structures and learning opportunities are designed to meet all students’ needs.
  • Teachers: We hold that the things that are taught in classes and the lives lived by the teachers emphasize the need for all to speak of God the Father as the Creator and Keeper of all things, Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world, and of the Holy Spirit as the one who guides us in all truth.
  • Curriculum: We examine all curriculum; humanities, sciences, fine arts, applied skills, and athletics, through the lens of Creation-Fall-Redemption-Renewal paradigm;
  • Society: We explore and care for creation, restore relationships, work for justice, and use talents, gifts and opportunities. We strive to develop the students’ mind, heart, will, and body. We do this in obedient response to God’s call to love Him, and our neighbor as ourselves. The gift of salvation affects our lives both now and eternally.
  • Holistic: We educate in a holistic fashion. Each element of our educational program has value in and of itself, but is also an important piece of ‘the whole’. Our Christian worldview guides our understanding of each piece and how they are connected.
  • Service: We need servant hearts. Students observe adults modeling lives of service. We encourage students to see the world as much larger than their own experience. Our school gives students opportunities to serve others in their classrooms, communities, and beyond.
  • Home: We function in our school as an extension of the Christian home. Students, staff, and families are called to be a grace-filled community where they rejoice in God and in each other. Such a community encourages openness and honesty, grace and patience, joy and faithfulness, excellence and growth. Problem solving also takes place in the context of community. Our discipline policies are rooted in justice and aim to achieve personal growth and spiritual maturity.