About Us
- A History of Quality
- Southern Highlands Christian School began its life in 1983 with 7 students ranging from Kindergarten to Year 4, and one teacher in the hall of the Bowral Baptist Church. The school was started by a group of parents who desired a Christian education for their children, firmly based on biblical principles and recognising the value of parental involvement.
The 1984 school year started with 21 students and grew to 28 by the end of the year with one full time and one part-time teacher. During this year the Lord blessed the school with appropriate land on Boardman Road, it was fenced and trees planted in preparation for the buildings that had been passed by council and had tenders being called for.
With the school having outgrown the Baptist Church hall, 1985 saw it move to Moss Vale and find a temporary home in St. Paul's International School. With strong enrolments throughout the year, the school once again found itself outgrowing its current site and sought to move back to Bowral in the cottage at Westwood. In December 1985 the board took a step in faith and appointed a third teacher, shortly after this decision a further 9 enrolments were taken and the school commenced 1986 with 60 students.
In that year the school houses of Livingstone, Elliott, Carey, and Taylor were finalised and the building program was started using largely volunteer builders. Most Saturdays were spent at the school site building the two Hardiplank classroom blocks and the primary toilet block. Families supported wherever they could, with teachers and parents building side by side to provide a caring school. By the end of the year there were four primary teachers and a School Co-ordinator.
1987 began with Years 5, 6, and 7 on the new school land while Kindergarten to Year 4 were still at Westwood. In term four the fourth building was completed, and the junior classes moved over to join the others and the School was back together again.
The Primary School continued to grow over the next few years but the High School had to close in 1992. The High School re-commenced in 1996, which saw an enrolment of 256 students and the new administration building opened.
The School has continued to grow in student numbers and now includes Prep, Primary and High School facilities. It has matured and developed into a diverse community. What has never changed is the Christian foundation that drives us, just as strong as it was in 1983, before any building was imagined or classroom prayed for.
- School Governance
- The founders of the School had a number of governance options from which to choose. Rather than linking the School to one particular church, they decided to encourage multi-denominational support by establishing a School Company, where members of the Company are technically the owners of the School.
As was the case 25 years ago, the members of the School Company, Southern Highlands Christian School Ltd, are a denominationally diverse group of Christian people who have a passion for Christian Education.
Company membership is open to Christians who can embrace the School's Statement of Faith and are supportive of the School and its operations. The School Company meets three times a year.
From the Company is elected the Board of Directors, who are charged with overseeing the operations of the School and ensuring that the School continues to provide a distinctive Christian Education in accordance with the aims and objectives of the Company. The Board meets monthly for a Board meeting and bi-monthly for a workshop.
- Christian Education National
- SHCS is a member of the Association of Christian Education National, a community of liked minded and like governed schools. CEN provides a range of supportive services for over 80 member schools across the country.
