From its beginning in 2015, CRU West has grown to support 47 schools in Western Australia today — and it keeps growing! The newest CRU Group to be established is in the Junior School of Dale Christian College, which is located in the south-eastern suburbs of Perth. We caught up with Tamara Alberts, the teacher behind its formation, to learn more.
“We launched in April this year and already have 20 students attending each week on Tuesdays at lunchtime. The primary drive for starting CRU came from students in the senior school. They had witnessed firsthand the positive impact CRU had in the secondary school and wanted to see it extended to the junior school. After the first meeting, several Year 6 students eagerly asked if they could help run the sessions. I was very encouraged by their enthusiasm.”
Year 6 students from Dale Christian College being trained for leadership by Dougal Steven from CRU West
Tamara asked Dougal Steven from CRU West to conduct some leadership training for them and she shares, “our students are always very excited by visits from CRU West and Dougal’s guidance helps us run a group that best shines a light for God.”
She continues, “students attending the group are certainly being a light to those around them and have been speaking about the group in their classes and at home. Parents and teachers have mentioned they have heard the weekly message being discussed. Some colleagues have even begun to reschedule lunchtime sports events to allow students to attend CRU on Tuesdays!”
Tamara has been so encouraged to see these students grow in confidence as they speak about their faith and share their spiritual journeys with each other. “I am very thankful to see God guiding, equipping and growing our students and am encouraged by feedback from parents who have mentioned that their children have come home and initiated further discussion on the CRU Group message of the week.”
CRU West’s support is precious to Tamara and the CRU Group at Dale Christian College. “Their support and resources are invaluable in providing a safe place for students to learn about the gospel, serve God and deepen their relationship with Him. It fosters a sense of Christ-centred community within the school and provides opportunities for students to develop leadership skills through discipleship. I can’t thank them enough.”
“Students attending the group are certainly being a light to those around them and have been speaking about the group in their classes and at home. Parents and teachers have mentioned they have heard the weekly message being discussed. Some colleagues have even begun to reschedule lunchtime sports events to allow students to attend CRU on Tuesdays!”
Tamara has been so encouraged to see these students grow in confidence as they speak about their faith and share their spiritual journeys with each other. “I am very thankful to see God guiding, equipping and growing our students and am encouraged by feedback from parents who have mentioned that their children have come home and initiated further discussion on the CRU Group message of the week.”
CRU West’s support is precious to Tamara and the CRU Group at Dale Christian College. “Their support and resources are invaluable in providing a safe place for students to learn about the gospel, serve God and deepen their relationship with Him. It fosters a sense of Christ-centred community within the school and provides opportunities for students to develop leadership skills through discipleship. I can’t thank them enough.”
“Students attending the
group are certainly being a light
to those around them.”