Bob Johnston
Executive Officer, Australian Association of Christian Schools
Operations Manager, Christian Education National
Raised in a Christian family, Bob benefited from an education in a Christian church school and was surrounded by many positive Christian paradigms throughout his early life. He was given early opportunities to experience Christian leadership through ISCF at school, the Church Fellowship group, the university Evangelical Union and various Scripture Union Beach Missions and it seemed natural for him to move towards leadership roles once his teaching career started.
He commenced teaching at Cobar (Western NSW) in 1971 and moved on to the Mt Druitt Housing Commission area (Whalan High) in 1973. In those years, he was actively involved in leadership roles in the Education Union and developed a keen interest in politics, philosophy of education, ethics and moral education along the way.
Bob moved into a principal’s role in 1978 at Wycliffe Christian School (Warrimoo NSW) where he grew his leadership insights and skills as the school itself grew. He stayed at Wycliffe for 27 years and enjoyed the rich experience of growing with the association and staff from a school of 75 students (K-8 single-stream) to a school of 750 students (K-12 double stream). Of necessity, he had to reinvent himself several times to accommodate the changing needs of the school which he found both a challenge and an energizing experience.
Along the way, Bob became involved in the formation of the NSW Association of Executives of Christian Schools (AECS) and, through that, the formation of the roots of the Canberra Policy Forum. Through AECS, he was also involved in the formation of the Christian Schools Sports Association of NSW.
In the early-mid 1980s Bob worked with other principals in the establishment of the first few CPCS Principals Conferences and was heavily involved in the organization of a number of what are now called CEN Transforming Education Conferences.
Bob has served three terms on the national board of the NUCPCS that became CPCS and is now CEN and served for many years on the Curriculum Committee of the national body.
Having served on many deputations to Governments with AECS, it seemed like a logical transition for Bob to move from a principal’s position in a Christian school to become an Advocate for Christian Schools in 2005.
Bob enjoys the discipline of reading and loves writing and preparing for presentations. He has made numerous contributions to journals and conferences over the years.
He has a passion for apologetics and is keenly interested in the public face of the Christian church world wide. He is also passionate about the many practical faces of the gospel and has been actively involved in advocacy for reform in the treatment of mental health detainees in NSW prisons.
Bob is married to Jan who is a TAFE Teacher of English for migrant adults. They have 4 adult children of their own and a foster daughter. They also have two grand-daughters now. They are members of Springwood Community Church where they are both involved in leadership roles of different kinds. Bob has many interests including family, reading, renovations, music, sport, world news and current affairs.