Mondays with Mike: Building Community, Growing in Faith
Middle School Retreat Day and More
Dear PCA Families,
As we wrapped up the second week of school and stepped into our first full five-day week, I was encouraged to see so many of your children engaged in learning, growing in faith, and building community.
Our Middle Schoolers launched the year with their annual retreat, guided by Mrs. Lois Blatchley (Principal), Mr. David White (Assistant Principal), and Mr. David Moore (Chaplain). Worship, team-building, and cross-grade friendships filled the day, and students like Ian and Kaylee shared how meaningful it was to worship together and welcome new classmates. This week’s Mondays with Mike podcast takes you inside that retreat with Mrs. Blatchley, Mr. White, and two of our students—Kailey and Iain—describe what God is doing in Middle School and why this day matters for shaping community.
That same spirit of energy and growth is evident all across campus. The Upper School is alive with activity, our fields are filled with athletics, and classrooms are buzzing with curiosity—whether in hands-on biology projects or in the joy of friendships taking root.
Looking ahead, this week brings important milestones: fall NWEA assessments in grades 1–11, Middle School athletics joining the season’s competition, and the start of fall theater productions following last week’s auditions and call-backs. Each of these moments reflects the way God is shaping our students in mind, body, and spirit.
With gratitude,
Mike Runey
Head of School
Portsmouth Christian Academy
Key Takeaways from this Week’s Podcast
- Inside the Retreat: Principal Lois Blatchley and Assistant Principal David White share how worship, team-building, and cross-grade friendships shaped the Middle School retreat.
- Student Voices: Iain and Kaylee reflect on what stood out—worshiping together, welcoming new classmates, and having fun as a community.
- The Power of Worship: Iain shared how meaningful it was to sing and worship with classmates, noting it’s one of the few places outside of church where kids can do this together.
- Building Friendships: Kaylee described how outdoor lunch and mixed-grade team activities gave her the chance to connect with friends she doesn’t usually see.
- Why It Matters: The retreat set the tone for a year of compassionate community, helping every child feel seen, known, and part of God’s work at PCA.
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