A Short History of Ballarat Christian College

By Pastor Liz Bailey 2008

Primary

The first Christian School in Ballarat started in 1985 through the vision of Mr Neville Hawkins and assistance from a steering committee comprising himself, Mrs Pam White and Mr Chris Duke. It was established with additional support from the Carmel Welsh Presbyterian Church and members, and was called “Carmel Christian Community School”. Assistance from the late Mr David McGill and Rev Bob Fisken of Christian Community Schools was invaluable in these early days. The school began its first year with 22 students from Prep to Grade 4. It was located in the “Bethel Hall” at the Carmel Welsh West Presbyterian Church, Albert Street Sebastopol.

The founding families enjoy a special place of honour in the history of the College. They were prepared to commit themselves to something that didn’t exist in order that it may come into being.

Founding families were:

• Mr. and Mrs. Doeland (Naomi Grade 3 and Matthew Grade 1)
• Dr. and Mrs Easton (Pamela Grade 4 and Linda Grade 3)
• Mr and Mrs. Forte (Paul Grade 4 and Tammy Prep)
• Mr. and Mrs. Gamble (Stephen Grade 3)
• Mr. and Mrs Hawkins (Sharon Grade 4 and Rebekah Grade 1)
• Mr. and Mrs Horwood (Ben Grade 3 and Bree Grade 1)
• Mr. and Mrs. Lindorff (Grade Year 4)
• Mr. and Mrs. May (Linda Grade 4 and Stephen Grade 3)
• Mr. McClandish (Shayne Grade 5)
• Mr. and Mrs. Paine (Adam Grade 4)
• Mr. and Mrs. Parsons (Laura Grade 1)
• Mr. and Mrs. Rasmussen (Ben Grade 3)
• Mr. and Mrs Sheen (Pippa Grade 4 and Erin Grade1)
• Mr. and Mrs Taylor (Peter Grade 4 and Sherrin Grade 2)

The first Principal/teacher was Mr. Winston Broad, with part time assistance with infants from Mrs Rosemary Lindner. Some day to day administration assistance was conducted by Miss Jenny White. The next year, 1986, a second full time teacher, Miss Dianne Milne, was appointed. The first portable classrooms were located on land especially purchased by the congregation next to the church site. In 1987 a third teacher, Miss Tammy Pascoe was appointed. In 1988 an unsuccessful attempt was made to extend to portables at Carmel Welsh Year 7 secondary, but due to Government policy the school did not have sufficient enrolments in the proposed Year 7 class. It required 20 but the year seven enrolments were only 13.

1988 Discipline Outline

Portables at Carmel Welsh

Dr. Joy McRae became principal in 1989. She chose as the school motto: “Serve one another in love”. Two hectares of land in Vickers Street was purchased and the school moved there in 1990.

In 1991 the parent volunteers worked hard to provide a sealed playground and landscaping. The school’s name changed to “Sebastopol Christian Community School” as more churches became represented in the governance of the school.

In 1992 Mr. Terry Pert became principal. That year the shed was built, the buffer zone planted, fences erected and a bicycle rack installed. The school kitchen was completed.

1994 saw earthworks completed and the cricket pitch installed.

Enrolment figures for the first 10 years ranged from 24 to 93.

In 1998 another unsuccessful attempt was made to extend into year 7. The students could not continue with their secondary schooling at the Christian school as government funding was withheld, due again to insufficient Year 7 class numbers.

In March 2001 there was a substantial change in the governance of the school. Until that time, Neville Hawkins had provided the leadership. He was Board Chairman, Administrator, Bursar, groundsman and visionary – all as a volunteer.

During the late 1990s Neville Hawkins searched for a replacement as he wished to retire. He sought a church which had supported the school, and a pastor who had the leadership gift to manage the school. In late 2000, Neville approached Pastor Rob Bailey of Ballarat Christian Fellowship regarding a succession. After initial hesitation, Pastor Rob approached the Ballarat Christian Fellowship elders, who endorsed the decision because they saw this as part of the church’s mission - to reach the next generation. Ballarat Christian Fellowship led and managed the school along with the Board. The elders were ex-officio board members, working with the existing board, from then until 2006.

Mr. Howard Drough

During this time, Mrs. Norma Higgins ably led the school, until Mr Howard Drought was appointed principal. Howard was principal of Ballarat Christian School for four and a half years, from 2002 until 2006. All who worked with him appreciated his caring and diplomatic personality.

During this time, an all-weather canopy was erected over the playground. This quickly became useful as a play area, for sport classes, for concerts and school presentations. As the College student population outgrew the largest room, Room 3, it also became an assembly and chapel area.

Buildings with and without canopy

Secondary

Meanwhile, Ballarat Christian College began in 1999 as a secondary school with Mr. Peter McNamara as principal. The motivation for the commencement of a Christian Secondary School came from Mr. George Moran of the Christian Schools Association, along with some very keen local families. The College’s inaugural enrolment was 22 students in years seven and eight. The former Seventh Day Adventist School site, comprising a small self contained building with two classrooms, a small office and toilets, was found to be ideal.

In 2000 the College grew to 37 students and 3 more teachers had joined the staff.

Creating basketball court near Room 3

In 2001 Peter McNamara left Ballarat and Dr. John Fisher was appointed as the new principal. The school occupied two different campuses just one km from each other. Dr Fisher spearheaded an extensive marketing schedule which resulted in the College becoming better known in the community. By the end of 2001 the College had grown to approximately 50 students. It also employed several more teachers. Dr Fisher formed the first full year 7 class and every year since then this has continued with full Year 7 enrolments.

In 2002 the College began to teach VCE Year 11 and grew to 60 students. This was the first year the whole College enjoyed the new and bigger campus at 111A Yarrowee Street. This land had lain derelict for many years and major works were needed to cover a drain and provide car parking. Dr Fisher had the oversight of locating buildings, landscaping and planting on this new site.

View from Yarrowee Street

Ballarat Christian College had its first Year 12 classes in 2003. Half way into the 2003 school year Dr. Fisher was forced to retire due to illness and Pr. Liz Bailey assumed the role.

At the beginning of 2004 Mr. Geoff Gay (also in picture) moved from Queensland to become the principal of Ballarat Christian College. Under his leadership, student numbers continued to increase.

In 2004/2005 the College purchased a rural property in Sebastopol at the corner of Grant and Miles Streets as a possible future building site. In 2006 the Board of Directors took the decision to develop the Yarrowee and Vickers Streets sites exclusively, and in 2008 the decision was taken to dispose of the Grant and Miles Streets site at an appropriate time in the future.

Corner of Grant & Miles Street

In 2006 the Board of Directors took the decision to develop the Yarrowee and Vickers Streets sites, and in 2008 to dispose of the Grant and Miles Streets site.

Following Geoff’s decision to return to Queensland at the end of 2005, Pr Liz Bailey again became the principal for six months until April 2006.

Dr. John Fisher with Mr. Geoff Gay

During these years, from 2001 - 2006, Pastor Rob Bailey was the chairman of the primary school and Mr. Chris Duke chairman of the secondary college. These two men enjoyed a close friendship and spent much time together praying and discussing their respective responsibilities. Inevitably, discussions began to take place regarding uniting the two schools.

As a result, many Board meetings were held, sub committees formed and papers produced. A lot of voluntary hours were expended by both Boards to facilitate this major change. They researched, sought professional advice, conducted surveys and spent time in prayer

Mr. Kerry Hutton was appointed principal from April 2006. One of his tasks was to bring together these two educational organisations – the secondary school called “Ballarat Christian College” and the primary school called “Ballarat Christian School”. Both schools were located on adjoining properties but separated by a fence, with secondary access from Yarrowee Street and primary access from Vickers Street. Separate boards, separate uniforms, separate constitutions, separate staff...all had to become one smooth working “whole”.

At the beginning of 2007 this became official with all legal, financial, organisational and governance procedures and protocols completed to facilitate this. Mr Charles Milne, the Bursar, (later to become the Business Manager) had much of the responsibility of handling this difficult and protracted changeover process. The College was now Prep – 12.

2007 - A United College

The Creek project was commenced in 2006 with funds from the Round 1 Community Water Grants.

The Prep - 12 College has enjoyed a good response from the outside community and the student growth has been rewarding. In the twelve months from 2007 – 2008, the growth rate was 33%. The old house situated on a large block of land on the corner of Vickers and Yarrowee Streets was purchased with a view to demolition and future development of this valuable site as part of the new P-12 College.

The future of the school is exciting indeed, with growing student numbers and development of the site with a substantial new specialist classroom and administration block, due for completion in September 2008. Extensive landscaping and relocation of portable classrooms to make space for new, permanent classrooms is also planned.

Current principal: Mr. Kerry Hutton

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