SD Swasta Latihan YP Huria Kristen Batak Protestan (HKBP) is a growing Christian primary school in North Sumatra, Indonesia, with 336 students and 27 teaching and support staff. Student enrolments have increased each year, reflecting the confidence families have in the school and the direction it is taking under the leadership of Principal Lasmaria Evelina Sinagah.

Lasmaria has been principal for just ten months, having previously served as Vice Principal at a senior high school about an hour away. Since arriving, she has introduced a number of changes aimed at improving both the quality of education and the Christian character of the school.

One of the most significant changes has been moving from a model where one teacher taught all subjects to a class, to a system where teachers specialise in different subject areas. She has also introduced daily morning devotions and created opportunities for students to develop their confidence and talents through singing and dancing. Parents have responded positively to these changes and have been encouraged to involve their children in activities such as sports, science competitions and cultural events.

Lasmaria is passionate about Christian education and believes Christian schools should offer something distinctive. She wants students to learn not only academic knowledge but also Christian values that shape their character and everyday lives.

“Our leader is Jesus, so everything should point to Him,” she explains.

This conviction influences her approach to teaching and learning. She believes Christian values should be integrated throughout the curriculum, rather than being confined to Christian Studies lessons alone. Inspired by the way faith is woven through all areas of learning in the Catholic school attended by her own children, she has sought to strengthen this approach at SD Swasta Latihan YP HKBP.

The school’s students come from a wide range of backgrounds. Some arrive with a strong Christian foundation built through family life and regular Sunday School attendance. Others come from difficult family situations and require additional emotional and pastoral support.

Alongside her educational vision, Lasmaria has faced considerable leadership challenges. When she arrived, teacher discipline and accountability were significant concerns. Some parents wanted several teachers dismissed because of poor performance. Rather than terminating staff, she chose to focus on mentoring, evaluation and improvement.

She introduced clear expectations around punctuality, including salary deductions for repeated lateness and warning letters for teachers who arrived more than 50 minutes late. These changes were unpopular at first and led to complaints being made to both the school board and the local education department. Lasmaria stood by her decision, arguing that teachers must model the behaviour they expect from students. Over time, attitudes changed and teacher punctuality improved.

Looking ahead, she hopes to strengthen teacher professional development, particularly in student engagement and classroom teaching practices. She also hopes to introduce regular worship opportunities for teachers and encourage every lesson to begin with a short prayer.

The principal’s own faith journey has shaped her leadership. Raised in the Huria Kristen Indonesia (HKI) Church, she later attended a Chinese Reformed Church Sunday School and subsequently became involved with the Salvation Army. She believes these experiences helped prepare her for a career in Christian education and gave her a broad appreciation for the ways different Christian communities nurture faith.

Through both opportunities and challenges, Lasmaria consistently points to God’s grace as the foundation of her work. She sees the school as a place where children can grow academically, develop confidence, learn Christian values and experience the love of Jesus, regardless of their background or circumstances.