Nambour Christian College
– A Brief History
The Foundation Years: 1980-1990
Preparations began in 1979 by local families of the now Nambour Assembly of God church to commence a Christian school. This was the result of parents being concerned with the schooling options available and wanted to provide an education for their children that was based on Christian values and biblical principles.
In 1980 the school commenced with 35 students, from Years 2 to 11, with the curriculum being the Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.) program. The daily program consisted of mornings spent doing self-paced academic subjects while the afternoons were for music, drama, art, handicraft and sport.
The school was located in the former church building. It consisted of one large classroom, a small library, two storerooms and one office and was known as New Life Christian School. The first multi-purpose building was constructed in 1985, consisting of two rooms, a science laboratory and a typing room.
In 1987 the decision was made to replace the A.C.E. program with a broader, Christian based curriculum. Our current Head of College, Mr Bruce Campbell, was appointed Deputy Principal.
The school received government accreditation and Commonwealth and State funding at this time.
At the end of the first 10 years, the school consisted of 275 students (144 Primary and 107 Secondary).
The Building Years: 1991-2000
The church Pastor saw the need for a more professional and planned approach to the oversight and development of the school and in 1989, the school board was established. It immediately set about creating a development plan for the future called ‘Towards 2000’.
The first stage of a multi-stage building program was commenced and this comprised specialty rooms including a home economics kitchen and sewing rooms, science laboratories and a mathematics room. By late 1999 construction had begun on the new resource centre as well as the final stage of the administration building.
Bruce Campbell, previously Deputy Principal, was appointed Head of College at the end of 1991 and lead the school through these building years. In 1992 the school’s name was changed to Nambour Christian College.
In 1998 an important change took place in the structure of the College with the commencement of Middle School, comprising Years 7, 8 and 9. This major restructuring was made in recognition of the special needs of early adolescents by changing their traditional groupings and subject offerings. Primary School then encompassed Preschool to Year 6, with Senior School comprising Years 10, 11 and 12.
The Maturing Years: 2001- Present
As the College entered the 21st century, enrolments had grown to almost 1000 students.
Building did not cease, however, with the completion of the award winning Lecture Theatre and the outdoor Amphitheatre in 2002; the Early Learning Centre and new Prep facility in 2004 (again winning an award for design and construction) and the Hospitality facility and new Berakah Farm buildings in 2005.
The first Prep class was introduced in 2004 with another added in 2005 and a third in 2006. By the commencement of 2006, the Primary School consisted of three classes in each Year level – Prep through to Year 6. Middle School had expanded to four classes in Year 7 and five classes in both Year 8 and 9. Senior School had grown to five classes in each year level – Years 10, 11 and 12. The College enrolment now exceeds 1200 students.
The curriculum for all school levels continues to expand with the most notable development in Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), Hospitality, Agricultural Science and Music.
The introduction of the Year 5 Instrumental Music program in 2002, involving all students in that year level, has significantly increased the number of students participating in instrumental music and has enriched College life with the expertise and diversity of the various bands, orchestras and ensembles.
Over the past 28 years Nambour Christian College has built a fine reputation as a leader in Christian education. Through our many academic, spiritual, cultural and sporting activities we have seen outstanding results from groups as well as individual students at local, state and national level.
Our motto of Sow to Harvest has been evident in the extension of the mission and outreach program that has continued to develop in recent years. Added to the Year 12 mission trips to Fiji has been an annual visit by staff, students and families to the Mercy International HIV orphanages in Thailand. Sister School agreements are now in place with schools in South Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand.
Nambour Christian College has been built on a sound foundation of Christian values and enthusiastic parents. As we embrace our maturing years, we do so with a sense of vision and excitement as we plan for a future rich in prospects for our students.