School continues building legacy of excellence

Wendy Noble
Special to Spur Ottawa

Graduates of Ottawa Christian School (OCS), work in a wide variety of professions, from commerce to agriculture, government to Christian ministry. This weekend, the private elementary school is inviting them all back, along with school supporters and families, to celebrate their jubilee anniversary.

The celebration, at the Barrhaven school, includes a barbecue, family games, and worship led by alumni and Nashville recording artist Dana Jorgenson.

Paul Triemstra, also an OCS graduate, has served as the school principal for more than 13 years. He says the founders were not inspired to establish the school by any particular event, rather, “Christian education was bred to their bone.”

Among the wave of immigrants coming to Canada following World War II was a group of Christians who had been involved in Christian schools in the Netherlands. In 1958, a group of them felt there were enough churches in Ottawa to support the establishment of a Christian-based school. They were not just parents who felt a responsibility to their own children, but believers who wanted to invest in all children whose families were members of the body of Christ.

Today the student body is truly interdenominational, with students from Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, and Catholic traditions.

“Christian education was bred to their bone.” Photo courtesy of Ottawa Christian School.

When OCS opened, in 1966, 50 children enrolled. The school’s constant growth led them to move twice. This year 220 students are enrolled, from in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8. They have 11 home-room classes.

Their new location in Barrhaven allowed them to add an enhanced program for gifted students, computer lab, designated music room, combined art and science classroom, learning support classroom, as well as a spacious library and a full-sized gym.

Principal Triemstra says he sees “faithfulness from generation to generation,” as OCS students he taught years ago are now enrolling their children. Some of those children are even in his own family.

Their new location adds a computer lab, designated music room, combined art and science classroom, learning support classroom, as well as a spacious library and a full-sized gym. Photo courtesy of Ottawa Christian School.

As they mark their 50th year, Triemstra says they plan to continue expanding the programs they offer. They already offer personalized programs that are difficult to find in the public school system. Triemstra explains that they recognize that everyone learns differently.

“[We] craft pedagogy in such a way that meets the students’ needs and learning style.”

He says this focus on addressing each child’s unique learning needs, as well as teaching children to view the world through the lens of scripture, are key areas where OCS distinguishes itself from public schools.

The anniversary barbecue runs from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on September 24.