Mondays with Mike: Student Leaders Shaping Our Community This Holiday Season
Dear PCA Community,
I hope your Thanksgiving brought rest, encouragement, and time with the people you love. As we step into Advent—a season of waiting with hope—I want to share something that stayed with me from before the break.
I sat down with three of our Upper School small group leaders—Maeve, Jaela, and Donovan—and hearing their hearts reminded me again of what God is doing in the everyday life of our school. They spoke about trust forming quickly, real vulnerability, and the way Scripture and prayer are shaping their groups week by week.
Their leadership grows out of the same steady formation your children experience in their own age-appropriate settings—Lower School Bible classes and chapels, Middle School small groups and retreats, and finally the Upper School circles where students begin shepherding one another with maturity and grace.
These student leaders are not simply participating—they are shaping the culture. Their honesty, humility, and willingness to guide faith conversations are influencing peers and strengthening community. What you hear from them is the fruit of years of intentional discipleship across all divisions.
And there is so much more happening on campus. Nine of our fourteen Upper School musicians were selected as All-State performers—an extraordinary accomplishment for a school of our size. As we approach Mid-Quarter 2, your children are learning, growing, serving, playing, performing, and leading with joy.
I hope you are as encouraged as I am by the way God is shaping this community. These quiet, faithful steps—whether in Lower School chapels, Middle School small groups, or Upper School leadership circles—are forming hearts and pointing our children toward Christ. See you on campus soon—hopefully at one of the Christmas concerts next week!
Mike Runey
Head of School
Portsmouth Christian Academy
Upper School small groups shared a Thanksgiving meal around tables led by their student small group leaders the Friday before Thanksgiving – all student initiated and led! Thanks to the parent volunteers who made this a reality with food and serving.
“We started trusting each other so quickly—once someone shared honestly, it changed how we all treated one another.” – Donovan,
Key Takeaways – Student Leaders Making a Real Impact
- Student leaders are creating safe, trusting communities. Maeve, Jaela, and Donovan all described how quickly their groups opened up—because leaders set a tone of welcome, asked good questions, and modeled honesty.
- They are guiding conversations that shape faith. Even when chapel questions felt challenging, leaders made space for their peers to step in, wrestle with scripture, and encourage one another—showing leadership through humility and presence.
- Their influence is changing school culture. After one student shared about a serious health struggle, Donovan watched his peers become more compassionate, more attentive, and more willing to reach out beyond their usual circles.
- They are helping classmates take real spiritual risks. Students are praying aloud, sharing personal stories, confessing struggles, and talking openly about sharing the gospel—all because leaders foster an environment where it is safe to do so.
- Their own testimonies are strengthening others. Maeve’s story of rediscovering God’s love sparked deeper reflection in her group, showing how a leader’s vulnerability can open doors for others to grow.
“It does not even feel like we are leading; we just ask the questions and the conversation flows. Everyone wants to grow.” – Maeve
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