NCS LEADERSHIP
NCS Society & Board of Directors
Nanaimo Christian School is certified by the Province of British Columbia and rated as a Group 1 school under the Independent School Act. As a Group 1 school, NCS must be operated by an “authority” (board of directors) and established as a society.
Nanaimo Christian School is run by the NCS Society’s Board of Directors. All members of the NCS Society in good standing are eligible to serve on the board. Our society is a group of NCS parents, alumni, and staff leadership who meet regularly to share ideas and suggestions that will encourage ongoing strategic development of the school.
Join the society
Are you a school parent, former NCS parent, alumni, grandparent or staff member committed to Christian education? Join the NCS Society to discuss and vote on school issues and board member nominations at the annual general meeting each year.
As a member, you can make a lasting difference in the lives of NCS students.
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Full society membership -- Open to parents/guardians of a child currently enrolled at NCS who are active members of a Christian church. Apply here.
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Associate membership -- Open to parents of previously and currently enrolled students at NCS, as well as alumni, grandparents, and paid staff members who do not have children attending NCS. Apply here.
*** Application for 2025-26 membership is now closed. ***
Serve as a board member
Rather than getting involved in day-to-day operational tasks of the school, NCS board members follow a mission-directed governance model. Our board works to protect the school’s mission and vision while creating direction and inspecting everything through a Christ-centered lens.
Board member nominations are considered year-round and are voted on at the annual general meeting each fall.
Tasks & activities
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Strategic plan creation & review
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Policy & bylaw review
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Consultation with SCSBC (Society of Christian Schools of BC)
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Retreats & conferences
Committees & task forces
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Spiritual leadership
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Strategic planning
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Admin/staff
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Finance committee
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Development committee
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Maintenance committee
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Governance committee
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Membership committee
Contact us
250-754-4512
fred.jacobsohn@ncsnanaimo.com (society membership) nick.greer@ncsnanaimo.com (board membership)
OUR BOARD MEMBERS
Ashton Deibert - Board Chair
Born and raised in central Alberta my family and I moved to Nanaimo in 2018. When God gave us the opportunity to move to the island the first thing I looked for was a faith based school, the community, teachers and staff at NCS has been an incredible blessing to our family since day one. I'm passionate about Christian education having myself been raised in it, and I look forward to raising our 4 children in community with fellow believers that uphold biblical truths. I'm excited for NCS's future, I believe in their mission wholeheartedly and consider a position on the board an opportunity to serve a community we love. Our kids span all four divisions in grade 10, 8, 4 and 2. When we aren't shuttling from one sporting event to another, we enjoy spending time hiking, skiing, baking and traveling. We traditionally spend Friday nights as a family curled up on the couch with an absurd amount of snacks watching a movie. I've been a Realtor for the last 10 years and often help my husband with his bread distribution business in the wee hours of the morning. The flexibility has provided an opportunity to volunteer and drive/coach sports teams etc. and I honestly love getting to know all the kids of NCS. Email: ashton.deibert@ncsnanaimo.com
Tim Sevenhuysen - Vice Chair
Tim Sevenhuysen is an NCS alumnus who attended the school from grades 3 through 12 and now has four children enrolled, ranging from Grades 1 to 6. He is passionate about NCS’s role in equipping students to be God’s hands and feet in the world, in close partnership with parents and caregivers, by helping students develop solid foundations in their Christian faith paired with academic excellence, critical thinking skills, and joy in discovering who God has designed each one of them to be. Professionally, Tim is a project manager, software developer, and data scientist working in the professional gaming industry. Tim and his family attend Neighbourhood Church. Email: tim.sevenhusyen@ncsnanaimo.com
Ginny Kempner - Secretary
Hi NCS community, my name is Ginny Kempner. My family moved to Nanaimo 6 years ago. We have 3 children; 2 that attend NCS: Grade 12 and Grade 9. Our family attends and serves at Generations Church. There are many reasons why I decided to serve on the NCS board. I believe in the vision and mission of our school and support the environment that has been cultivated here by our staff and teachers. Our school provides a safe place where kids are known, shown the love of God and feel as though they belong. I am excited about the future of our school and the next season that we are walking into and I'm passionate about keeping God number one and our mission front and center as we grow. A community thrives under healthy leadership and I am confident in the leadership of our school; from our board of directors to our administration. I see a group of leaders who place God first and seek His direction for our school and I am excited to be part of it. My hobbies include spending time with my family, laughing, reading, thrifting (I love a good deal), laying in the sun, having fun with friends... but let's be real - my free time is really just consumed with driving my kids around... if you have teenagers, you understand! Thank you for the opportunity to serve on the board of directors. Email: ginny.kempner@ncsnanaimo.com
Dan Morris - Treasurer
Dan and his wife Chelli have been part of the Nanaimo Christian School community since 2017. They have three sons - two in high school and one a recent graduate - and are active members of the Nanaimo church of Christ. Dan and Chelli deeply value Christian education. Dan attended a Christian boarding school for Grades 11 and 12, and Chelli completed her teaching degree at a Christian college in Nebraska. Their family believes that so much of a child’s life is shaped within the school setting, and they are grateful that NCS provides an environment where the beliefs, values, and teachings of Jesus that are lived out at home are mirrored at school — grounded in the truth of The Creator who loves each child and has a plan for their life. An entrepreneur, Realtor®, and lifelong Nanaimoite, Dan holds a Bachelor of Commerce and enjoys building creative software solutions that meet real-world needs. He loves travel, technology, and innovation, and looks forward to exploring more of the world with his family in the years ahead. Email: dan.morris@ncsnanaimo.com
Russ Dykshoorn - Board Member
I grew up in Abbotsford and attended Abbotsford Christian School before going on to Christian university where I earned a teaching degree. I joined NCS as a teacher in 2011, where I had the opportunity to teach grades 4 up to 10. What I loved most about teaching at NCS were the opportunities to build positive relationships with students and encourage them in their walk with Jesus while sharing my own faith. Now as a parent, I love seeing the nurturing place that NCS is for my kids, as well as everyone else's kids. They are loved, they know they belong and they are encouraged to do their best. It's a huge blessing and I want to see that continue indefinitely. I am looking forward to getting involved with the board and helping out wherever I can. I believe that I can bring a unique skill set with my 10 years of experience teaching at NCS. I hope to see NCS continue to thrive as a place where students can build strong faith, understand who God has made them and be able to make a difference in the world around them. I attend Oceanside Church with my wife Kathryn and our 2 children. I am involved in spearheading refugee sponsorship, teaching Sunday school, volunteering on the media team and partnering to restart the men's ministry. Email: russ.dykshoorn@ncsnanaimo.com
Fred Jacobsohn - Board Member
Our journey in Nanaimo started in 2018 after moving from Quesnel in Northern BC where we spent 5 years prior. Our first interaction with NCS was when we came for an initial site visit for work and Dawna kindly took us on a tour of the school. We were so excited about what we saw and enrolled our 2 children (Rachelle and Benjamin). I can’t believe how quick time has passed. Rachelle is graduating this year and Benjamin is in grade 9. It has been a privilege to be part of the community and appreciate the teachers and staff who pour their lives into providing an incredible education to our kids. A little about me.. I have been married to Elsjé for 20 years this year. We started our journey in Canada as a young married couple in 2004 arriving with 2 suitcases from South Africa. Rachelle was born in 2006 in Quesnel. We then moved back to South Africa for me to specialize and Benjamin was born there. An opportunity came up for us to move back to Quesnel in 2013 and then the Lord opened the door for us to move to the island in 2018. I am a general surgeon at NRGH. The opportunity to serve on the board has not been taken lightly. It is definitely outside of my comfort zone but I do believe that the timing is right to do so. Christian education is under a lot of pressure but now more than ever I believe that we have the opportunity to influence our city and the culture of the day as we are called to be salt and light, counter culture in a broken world. Email fred.jacobsohn@ncsnanaimo.com
Esther Tabert - Board Member
Esther and her husband have three children at Nanaimo Christian School. They joined the NCS community in 2022, and Esther is grateful to be part of a school that weaves faith and learning together in meaningful ways. Having attended Christian school herself and growing up with two teacher parents, Esther developed a deep appreciation for Christ-centered education and the powerful mentorship of teachers who love the Lord. She is passionate about helping students leave NCS with an excitement for Scripture and a deep understanding of the Bible as a whole. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, Esther spent many years leading and mentoring teens through her church and with Youth for Christ. She now serves in her church’s music ministry and continues to invest in others through faith and community. A self-described science nerd with a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Psychology from the University of the Fraser Valley, Esther also holds a Diploma in Cookery from Stratford Chef School in Ontario. After years in the culinary industry, she now channels her creativity into crafting delicious meals for her family and experimenting with fermentation and bread making at home. Email: esther.tabert@ncsnanaimo.com
Andrew Hawkes - Board Member
Andrew and his wife Meghan are proud members of the Nanaimo Christian School community, where their four children are growing in both faith and learning. A firm believer in Christian education, Andrew values a learning environment where everything can be related back to God, our Creator and ultimate teacher. He appreciates that NCS nurtures the curiosity God placed in us to seek out His mysteries. Having attended Maple Ridge Christian School, formerly Haney Pitt Meadows Christian School, from Grades 4 to 10, Andrew treasures the friendships and mentorships that shaped his faith, including the influence of Tim Parker, who once coached him in volleyball and now teaches at NCS. Being able to trade puns with a teacher he has known since childhood, he says, is “a full circle gift only God could write.” Andrew is honoured to serve on the NCS Board, giving back to a community that has blessed his family. He believes the excellence and legacy of NCS is sustained through prayer, leadership, and faithful dedication, and he is eager to help strengthen that foundation for future generations. The Hawkes family attends Oceanside Church, where Andrew and Meghan serve in kids ministry and discipleship groups. Before parenthood, both were active leaders in youth ministry. Andrew looks forward to introducing his children to the kind of outreach experiences that shaped his own faith, including earthquake relief work in Pakistan and running Page 5 VBS camps in Costa Rica. He loves helping kids discover that serving others is the key to a life of joy, purpose, and fruitfulness. Email: andrew.hawkes@ncsnanaimo.com
BC Ministry of Education
Christian Schools International
Christian Schools Canada
Society of Christian Schools of British Columbia
Christian Educators of British Columbia
Christian Principals Association of British Columbia
Federation of Independent School Associations of British Columbia
Center for the Advancement of Christian Education
OUR AFFILIATIONS
“I volunteer at Nanaimo Christian School because every day I see the staff giving freely of what they have to invest in our children and families. Nanaimo doesn’t have a large Christian population, and I am thrilled to see youth being discipled into leaders that are a light to our whole city.”
Jenn Tonsi, Former board chair
