Our 40+ years’ history

Preparations began in 1979 by local families to commence a Christian school on the Sunshine Coast.
This was the result of parents being concerned with the schooling options available and wanting to provide an education for their children that was based on Christian values and biblical principles.

In 1980 the school commenced with 36 students, from Years 2 to 11, with the curriculum being the Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.) program. The daily program saw 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. The school received government accreditation and Commonwealth and State funding at this time.

At the end of the first ten years, our emerging Sunshine Coast school consisted of 275 students (144 Primary and 107 Secondary).

The church Pastor saw the need for a more dedicated and planned approach to the oversight and development of the school, and in 1989, the professional School Board was established. It immediately set about creating a development plan for the future called ‘Towards 2000’. This marked the end of the formal connection between the church and the school.

The first stage of a multi-stage building program was commenced and this comprised speciality rooms including a home economics kitchen and sewing rooms, science laboratories and a mathematics room. In 1992 the school’s name was changed to Nambour Christian College. By late 1999 construction had begun on the new resource centre as well as the final stage of the administration building.

In 1999 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 developmental needs of early adolescents.

The ‘three school model’ was established with the Primary School encompassing Preschool to Year 6 and Senior School comprising Years 10, 11 and 12.

As the College entered the 21st century, enrolments had grown to almost 1000 students, and NCC was one of the largest independent schools on the Sunshine Coast.

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 exceeded 1200 students.

The curriculum for all school levels continued to expand with the purposeful development of literacy and numeracy programs and increased subject offerings across academic and vocational certification programs; including English, Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities, Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), Industrial Technology and Design, Physical Education, LOTE, Business, Hospitality and Agricultural Science.

The introduction of the Year 5 (now Year 4) Instrumental Music program in 2002, involving all students learning an unfamiliar instrument in that year level, has contributed to the academic, skills and social-emotional development of students. The program has developed multi award-winning bands, choirs and ensembles across all three sub-schools, including the flagship Wind Symphony and Stage Band.

We adopted the following Vision Statement that drove our Strategic Plan over the next four years: ‘NCC will be recognised globally as a leading Christian College were students are equipped for Life, Living and Discipleship.’

A review of teaching and learning across the College, led to the development of a new framework, based on the latest research into best teaching practice, resulting in continually improving student outcomes. A Teaching and Learning Committee was established, supported by the Director of Teaching and Learning and Director of Studies. Construction commenced in late 2013 of a purpose-designed Early Learning Centre to be built adjacent to the College on the old Koala Motel site. This was opened in September 2014.

Sporting programs across the College were reviewed in light of the completion of the Health and Fitness Centre as well as changes to the inter-school (SCISSA) competitions for Middle and Senior School students.

Continual review of technology as an assistive tool for learning .

Pushing the boundaries of our influence has seen the extension of both our Sister School and our Missions Project opportunities.

Since 2010 NCC has taken over the running of the small Gulf Christian College, based in Normanton in northern Queensland, supporting the school with both expertise and resources. Sister Schools were established with Thomas Hassall Anglican College (NSW) and Tyndale Christian School (SA). This relationship has opened the way for professional development opportunities between the staff of the three schools. In 2011, the College visited Malawi in Africa taking a team of students and staff to work with the students in a small village school and children’s home.

The strategic plan and vision for Nambour Christian College 2015-2021 established a framework to further develop our great school. Our vision to be a Christian School of first choice for parents living on the Sunshine Coast and hinterland would be enhanced by the implementation of this seven-year strategy.

‘Empowerment and Influence’ express the main theme that underlines our vision. We are committed to continuing to develop a robust, innovative learning environment that promotes personal best, the fulfilment of individual potential and academic excellence. At the same time, we will continue to explore and enhance our spheres of influence as we fulfil all that we believe God has called us to in our College.

During this time, a much stronger appreciation of the need for greater social connectivity and continual improvement has arisen within the College in recognition of the opportunities and challenges in front of today’s students.