Brisbane Christian College

Last updated

Brisbane Christian College
Location
Brisbane Christian College
Location of the Middle and Secondary school camps at 63 Fairlie Terrace, Salisbury, Brisbane, Queensland

Australia
Coordinates 27°33′00″S153°01′20″E / 27.549878°S 153.022342°E / -27.549878; 153.022342
Information
Former nameSouthside Christian College
School typeIndependent co-educational early learning, primary and secondary day school
MottoWisdom and Knowledge through Christ [1]
Religious affiliation(s)
DenominationChristianity
Established1985;40 years ago (1985)
PrincipalSean Morrison [2]
Employeesc.175 [3]
Years Early learning; K12
Enrolmentc.1090 [3]  (2024)
Campus typeSuburban
Color(s)Navy Blue, Teal, Green
   
Website brisbanechristiancollege.com.au
[4]

Brisbane Christian College (formerly Southside Christian College) is an independent, non-denominational Christian co-educational school located in the Brisbane suburb of Salisbury, Queensland, Australia. Established in 1985, the College offers education from Pre-Prep to Year 12 and operates as a ministry of Life Church Brisbane. It is a member of Independent Schools Queensland.

Contents

As of 2024, Brisbane Christian College has an enrolment of 1,090 students and employs 71 teaching staff and 104 non-teaching staff. The College is spread across three campuses: a Pre-Prep Centre, a Primary School (Prep to Year 5), and a Middle and Secondary School (Years 6 to 12).

Campuses

Brisbane Christian College operates across three campuses; all located in the southern suburbs of Brisbane. [5]

History

The college was established on Sunday, 14 April 1985 [11] and opened on 15 April 1985, [12] under the name Assembly of God's Southside Christian College [13] with between 12 [14] and 16 primary school students and 12 staff members. [15] [11] The school's name was shortened to Southside Christian College and in August 2011 changed to Brisbane Christian College. [16]

Pre-Prep Centre

The Pre-Prep center, in Coopers Plains was opened in 2010. [14]

Primary Campus

A man living near the Primary campus claims a bus from the school crashed into his fence on September 2024. The school claims the bus incident was investigated and dealt with internally. [17]

Middle and Secondary Campus

In 2016, the Middle and Secondary campus in Salisbury was opened, on the former site of Nyanda State High School. However, the closure of Nyanda State High School in 2013 was met with protests by some, including the Prime Minister at the time, Kevin Rudd. [18] Still, when the building of the Middle and Secondary Campus was announced, many welcomed it. [10]

Governance

Brisbane Christian College is owned and operated by Life Church Brisbane, a church affiliated with the Australian Christian Churches movement. [19] The College is a member school with Independent Schools Queensland, [20] [21] a peak representative body for independent schools in the state [22] and is registered as a non-government school charity with the Australian Government. [23]

Governance of the College is overseen by a Board of Directors appointed by the leadership of Life Church Brisbane. [24] [25] The Board is responsible for strategic matters such as enrolment trends, staffing, budgeting, and policy. [24] [25] It meets monthly to review College operations in alignment with its strategic plans. [24] Day-to-day management is delegated to the principal, who operates within the guidelines set by the Board. [24] [25]

The Board appoints a Finance Committee that also meets monthly to receive financial reports from the College Business Manager. [24] This committee monitors financial performance and makes recommendations to the Board on matters such as the annual budget and school fees. [24] [25] The financial accounts of Brisbane Christian College and its associated property entity, Southside Christian Centre Property Ltd, are audited annually. [24] [25] The current Chairperson of the Board is Pastor John Hunt, who was appointed in 2023. [26] The Chair of the College Board is an independent individual with no affiliation to either Life Church or Brisbane Christian College. [25]

School Structure

Chaplaincy and Student Wellbeing

Brisbane Christian College has 5 school chaplains, two for the Middle and Secondary Campus, two for the Primary campus and one on both campuses. They also have a college pastor and an assistant college pastor. School chapel services happen every week and are lead by the chaplains and involve a message, prayer, and worship. The school also has two school counsellors, one on the Primary campus and one on the Middle and Secondary campus. Students can be referred to a counsellor by a parent or teacher, or self-refer if the student is older.

House system

There are 6 houses, named after notable people in the Christian faith: [27]

HouseName OriginColourHead of House
Bernall Cassie René Bernall [28] BlueMr Tom Schad
Carey William Carey [29] Sky BlueMrs Christine Thomas
Livingstone David Livingstone [28] YellowMr James Earle
Newton John Newton [28] OrangeMr Richard Proctor
Pascal Blaise Pascal [28] GreenMr David Caswell
WesleyUnknownRedMr Gordon Hooker

In the morning, the school also offers family groups for those on the Middle and Secondary campus, which are mixed-age groups with students from all Middle and Secondary year levels in their House. [30]

International Students

The school also hosts an international program for students in Prep to Year 12, registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas students. [31] Students in the international program are given support lessons to improve their English and must complete an English proficiency test before applying. The school used to have a homestay program, however the school will be cancelling homestay at the end of 2025 and is not accepting new admissions for homestay. [32]

Demographics

According to Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority data:

Brisbane Christian College Student Enrolment Data 2008 to 2024. Brisbane Christian College Student Demographic Data 2008-2024.png
Brisbane Christian College Student Enrolment Data 2008 to 2024.

Curriculum

Prep

In Prep, students learn maths, literacy, integrative studies and sport. Integrative studies include humanities, science, English, technology and the arts. In first semester sport, students participate in gymnastics every week and do swimming lessons in term 4. [36]

Primary (Grades 1-5)

In Primary School, students learn maths, Christian studies, integrated studies, physical education and English. Integrative studies in primary school include humanities, science, technologies and the arts. English in years 1-2 provides foundational literacy skills, while English in years 3-5 is focused on consolidating skills, with novel reading starting in year 3. [37]

Middle (Grades 6-8)

In Middle School, students learn the core subjects of English, math, history, science and geography. They also rotate through all elective subjects.

Electives include: [38]

Secondary (Grades 9-12)

In Secondary School students may choose from subjects to complete. Maths and English are compulsory for all grades, and in years 9 and 10, Christian Studies and Science are also required. Only year 9 students are required to complete History and Physical Education. Chinese is optionally offered as a language. For year 9, students must select 6 electives(three in semester 1, three in semester 2). Year 10’s must select three electives to study for the whole year. In year 11 and 12, students do six subjects total and may do a vocational education and training course instead of a subject. In years 10-12, students may choose levels of math. [39] [40] [41] [42]

Extra-curricular activities

Brisbane Christian College has many extra-curricular programs such as debating, Chinese culture club and art club. [43] The school’s primary campus is also a venue for the Queensland Debating Union’s primary school competition. [44]

Brisbane Christian College also offers training in basketball, football, futsal, netball, touch football and volleyball. [45] The school is involved in the Independent Schools Championship, which is a competition between four schools(the other three schools being Citipointe Christian College, Redlands College and Moreton Bay Boys College) for years 9-12. [46]

The school also offers a music program. Music lessons can be completed in either paired lessons or individual lessons, which are both around 30 minutes per session. They also host ensemble programs, such as worship teams and strings ensembles. The school also offers a musical every year. [45]

Former principals

The following individuals have served as Principal:

OrdinalOfficeholderTerm startTerm endTime in officeNotes
n/aPastor Clyde Marbach198519860 yearsActing [47]
1Phillip Moore198619903–4 years [48]
2Peter Bancroft199019976–7 years [49]
3Graeme Johnston4 October 1999 [50] 201010–11 years [49] [51]
4R.G. Guthrie20102011~1 YearActing [52]
5Sean Morrison2011present13–14 years [53]

See also

References

  1. "About Brisbane Christian College". Brisbane Christian College. 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  2. Independent Schools Queensland (2016). "Independent Schools Queensland – South Brisbane" (PDF). p. 3. Retrieved 29 May 2017.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. 1 2 3 "Brisbane Christian College, Salisbury, QLD". ACARA Myschool. 2024.
  4. Australian Government. "Institution Details – Brisbane Christian College" . Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Contact us". Brisbane Christian College. Archived from the original on 16 May 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  6. "BRISBANE REGION BRISBANE OFFICE / LAND USE / RESERVE / RESERVE FOR STATE SCHOOL R2693 ATS 49011906 LOT961 SL7850 PARISH YEERONGPILLY COUNTY STANLEY BEING COOPERS PLAINS STATE PRESCHOOL CENTRE AT 28 ROOKWOOD AVENUE COOPERS PLAINS ( NRW00165 )". Queensland State Archives . Archived from the original on 2 October 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  7. "Our Future". Southside Christian College. Archived from the original on 10 August 2004. Retrieved 2 October 2025 via The Wayback Machine. According to our Master Plan, is that our current site of 5 ½ acres can accommodate up to around 550 - 600 students.
  8. "Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization – Tenders Accepted". Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. 14 February 1963. p. 677. Retrieved 2 October 2025 via Trove. Michael J. Rudnev & Co. Pty. Ltd., 109 Golda-avenue, Salisbury, Queensland
  9. "Cold Store Legends Archives – The Strange History of Insulated Cold Store Panels". Barpro Storage SA (Pty) Ltd. Archived from the original on 22 May 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025. Michael Rudnev, a Russian immigrant who had settled in Brisbane, was manufacturing SIPs panels for residential housing
  10. 1 2 3 Caldwell, Felicity (20 August 2014). "The former Nyanda State High School may get a second chance as a school with the site up for sale". The Courier Mail . Archived from the original on 30 September 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  11. 1 2 "Happy 40th Birthday, Brisbane Christian College". Brisbane Christian College. 14 April 2025. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  12. "Opening and closing dates of Queensland schools". Queensland Department of Education . 14 April 2019. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  13. "Salisbury | Queensland Places". The University of Queensland . Archived from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  14. 1 2 "College History". Brisbane Christian College. Archived from the original on 19 April 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  15. Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN   978-1-921171-26-0
  16. "Historical details for ABN 23 107 469 054". Australian Business Register . Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025. Entity name: BRISBANE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE From 08 Aug 2011
  17. "Man's fence flattened by school bus moments after dropping kids off". 9 News. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  18. "PM takes protests Qld school closure". SBS News. 20 August 2013.
  19. "About us — Our vision". Life Church Brisbane. Archived from the original on 25 June 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  20. "Find an independent school". Independent Schools Queensland. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  21. "Independent Schools Queensland 2024 Annual Report – Member Schools" (PDF). Independent Schools Queensland. p. 35. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 October 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  22. "About ISQ". Independent Schools Queensland. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  23. "Brisbane Christian College". Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Archived from the original on 1 October 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Governance : Brisbane Christian College". Brisbane Christian College. Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2025 via The Wayback Machine.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "College Leadership – College Governance". Brisbane Christian College. Archived from the original on 10 August 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  26. "Brisbane Christian College 2023 Annual Report – Principal's Welcome" (PDF). Brisbane Christian College. p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 October 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  27. "Character Development". Brisbane Christian College.
  28. 1 2 3 4 "College Houses". Brisbane Christian College. Archived from the original on 19 February 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2025 via The Wayback Machine.
  29. "Brisbane Christian College's post". Facebook . 22 December 2018. Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025. Carey House is named after William Carey, an individual who became known as the 'Father of modern Missions'
  30. "Character Development". Brisbane Christian College. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  31. "Brisbane Christian College". Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  32. "International Enrolment". Brisbane Christian College. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  33. 1 2 3 4 "ACARA Data Access Program: School Profile 2008 – 2024". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority . Archived from the original on 3 March 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  34. "Brisbane Christian College, Salisbury, QLD". ACARA myschool. 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  35. "Brisbane Christian College, Salisbury, QLD". ACARA myschool. 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  36. "Prep". Brisbane Christian College.
  37. "Primary School". Brisbane Christian College.
  38. "Middle School". Brisbane Christian College.
  39. "Year 9 Subject Handbook" (PDF). Brisbane Christian College. 2023.
  40. "Year 10 Subject Handbook" (PDF). Brisbane Christian College. 2023.
  41. "Senior Secondary Subject Handbook" (PDF). Brisbane Christian College. 2024.
  42. "Secondary School". Brisbane Christian College.
  43. "Academic Extension". Brisbane Christian College. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
  44. "Brisbane Christian College (Primary Campus)". Queensland Debating Union. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
  45. 1 2 "2024 Annual Report". Brisbane Christian College. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
  46. "Welcome to the Independent Schools Championship". Independent Schools Championship. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
  47. Brisbane Christian College (16 November 2015), Brisbane Christian College History Video 1 , retrieved 29 May 2017
  48. Brisbane Christian College (16 November 2015), Brisbane Christian College History Video 2 , retrieved 29 May 2017
  49. 1 2 Brisbane Christian College (16 November 2015), Brisbane Christian College History Video 3 , retrieved 29 May 2017
  50. "Southside Life: Issue 2, Term 3 2009 – Principal's Post" (PDF). Southside Christian College. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 February 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2025 via The Wayback Machine. As of 4 October this year, I have been the Principal of Southside for ten years
  51. "Web Archive of southsidecc.qld.edu.au". 28 November 1999. Archived from the original on 28 November 1999. Retrieved 29 May 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  52. "Southside Life: Issue 5, Term 3 2010 – Principal's Post" (PDF). Southside Christian College. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 February 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2025 via The Wayback Machine. I have to say at the outset that my unexpected assignment as Interim Principal here at Southside Christian College
  53. "College Leadership school principal | Brisbane Christian College". Brisbane Christian College. Retrieved 29 May 2017.