Farewell to Education Director: Rhonda Belson

Rhonda has been leading our Seventh day Adventist school system as the Director of Education for 6 years and has now accepted a call to be the Director of Education for the Greater Sydney Conference. Rhonda has been a resolute leader who has demonstrated a passion for Christian Education.

During her time as our Director of Education our small team at the Conference office has increased in size to improve the support of our schools. Under Rhonda’s leadership our school at Landsdale has improved its facilities with a building program and there has been growth in student numbers. Currently our school at Victoria Park is undertaking a building program. Rhonda has worked hard to support an improvement in policies and overseen a series of successful school registrations with the state regulatory authorities.

Rhonda has spent a significant amount of time in the recruitment of teachers. This has involved lots of prayer and talking with principals and interviewing potential teachers. During COVID-19 the impact on our school system was significant for our school principals and staff and Rhonda provided important support and direction in dealing with the complexities of the government regulations. I want to thank Rhonda for her sacrificial leadership as our Education Director. I know that she has always strived to lead our schools with a focus on Jesus Christ.

One of Rhonda’s favorite Bible verses is Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” In the context of this verse—God’s people were about to go into Babylonian captivity for 70 years. I am sure the Greater Sydney Conference is not calling Rhonda into slavery, but Rhonda as you continue to listen, pray and search for God into the future, I am sure God will give you hope and blessings.