What does it mean? Encouraging children to ‘seek the reward in the task’ in their schoolwork means encouraging them to do their schoolwork, in order to learn about God’s world and find reward in the work itself. Therefore, the reason for learning to read, is so that you can know how to read. The reward is in the work itself, in the ‘task’ of reading. The reward for learning your multiplication tables is knowing your multiplication tables: the reward is in the work. The same is true for every part of the curriculum, including sport and creative arts.

INTRINSIC MOTIVATION

Teaching children to ‘seek the reward in the task’ treats them with dignity and respect as learners, and shows that they are capable of valuing learning for its own sake. They do not have to be ‘bribed’ to learn, with prizes and public praise. Educationally, this is referred to as motivating children intrinsically. Motivating students to learn ‘extrinsically’, using prizes, certificates or public praise is not necessary and leads to rivalry, bitterness and competition in classrooms. It also demeans children as people made in the image of God. It implies they will not try to learn or co-operate, unless there is something in it for them. That is not true: children can and do find value and enjoyment in their learning and can rise to the occasion if that is the expectation of teachers and parents. Teaching children to ‘seek the reward in the task’ also means encouraging them to see their learning as an opportunity to know more about God’s world and how they can live in that world, using the gifts and abilities He has given them.

FROM CHRIST AND FOR HIM

Another aspect of ‘seeking the reward in the task’ is to focus children’s minds on the fact that because all their gifts and abilities have come from God, they really do not deserve any reward for what they achieve. The success or achievement they enjoy comes to them as a gift from God: He alone deserves any recognition or praise. To ‘seek the reward in the task’ is to thankfully pursue any task with purpose and intent, seeking to enjoy the gifts of God in a job well done. When home and school together point children to be faithful in their learning (to do their best) without prizes and public recognition, we give them a headstart for their lives in the real world. Each year the school receives numerous comments about our children in public; how they conduct themselves on excursions, how they wear their uniform with dignity and how they respect the rights of others. In recent years members of the public have commented on the way Carinya children are able to address adults with confidence and respect. In the real world the qualities of faithfulness, self discipline, others-centredness, and commitment to the task, are prized and sought after by employers and also in further education. Seeking the reward in the task in schoolwork is just one way these qualities are prioritised and encouraged in the lives of children in the school.