Conceived in the late 1970s, Nambour Christian College’s development has been signposted by the achievement of five visionary master plans.
Over the past 40 years, ¶¹Ä̶ÌÊÓƵhas built a fine reputation as a leader in Christian education on the Sunshine Coast and throughout Australia – and as a school that develops young people of strong character abling contributing to the common good. To date we have educated over 5000 + young people.
Through our many academic, spiritual, cultural and sporting activities, we have seen outstanding results from groups as well as individual students. NCC students have been state academic awardees, national and international athletes and cultural leaders. The employability of our students and their future prospects continue to be strong due to NCC’s holistic focus and broad academic program.
Today we are seeing second generations of our families enrol in our school. We are humbled by their stories, support and faith in our school such that they choose to send their children to Nambour Christian College.
As it was in the early days, ¶¹Ä̶ÌÊÓƵcontinues to thrive due to strong relationships, pastoral care and the energy, passion, faith and commitment of our staff and our families. As we looked to the future, we were excited by the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. As a College community, we will continue to seek the Lord and pray for his direction for our future.
We invite you to discover some of the key highlights of our College’s development.
Major Milestones
1979: Local families of the New Life Assembly of God Nambour church started planning for a Christian school on the Sunshine Coast.
1980: The New Life Christian school commenced in the former church building with 36 students, from Years 2 to 11.
1987: Christian based curriculum was evolved. School attained government accreditation and Commonwealth and State funding.
1988: First annual service trip to Fiji for Year 12 students, now Year 11.
1989: 144 Primary and 107 Secondary Students in attendance. School Board established. End of a formal connection between founding church and school. Commencing early ¶¹Ä̶ÌÊÓƵ in what is currently called Normanton House.
1991: ‘Towards 2000’ Master Plan accepted. First stage of a multi-stage building program commenced.
1992: School’s name changed to ¶¹Ä̶ÌÊÓƵto reflect the desire to be a non-denominational Christian school.
1999: College restructured to create three sub-schools with the establishment of a dedicated Middle School – comprising Years 7, 8 and 9 – to develop adolescents according to their changing needs . Other sub-schools being: Primary School (Preschool to Year 6) and Senior School (Years 10, 11 and 12.)
2001: Enrolments exceeded 1000 students. NCC became one of the largest independent schools on the Sunshine Coast.
2002: Comprehensive and multi award-winning Instrumental Music and Band program established. Award-winning Lecture Theatre and the outdoor Amphitheatre opened.
2003: Service trip to Thailand commenced.
2004: New Prep facility opened – also received design awards.
2005: Hospitality facility and new Berakah Farm buildings opened.
2006: Multiple classes in each level. School enrolment hit 1200 students. Significant expansion of the curriculum.
2010: Partnership established with Gulf Christian College, based in Normanton in northern Queensland, supporting the school with expertise and resources. Commenced service trips to Normanton with students in Year 10, now Year 9.
2011: A renewed focus on student outcomes through quality teaching framework. First service trip to Malawi, enabling students and staff to provide Christian service to people in great need.
2012: Abbenbroek building comprising of Junior library, science labs, music rehearsal and practise rooms and Health & Fitness centre including dance studio and gym opened.
2014: Purpose-designed Early Learning Centre opened. Sporting programs upgraded.
2015: Major technology upgrade and laptops introduced.
2017: Research program on the benefits of Classical Education approach.
2018: Introduction of ‘French’ in Junior School, ‘Logic’ in ‘Middle School’ and ‘Philosophy and Reason’ in Senior School. First student service trip to India.
2020: Reformation of Quality Teaching and Learning Framework for effective practices.
The Foundation Years: 1980-1990
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 Building Years: 1991-2000
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.
The Maturing Years: 2001-2010
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 ¶¹Ä̶ÌÊÓƵ 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.
Fulfilling our Mission: 2011-2014
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 ¶¹Ä̶ÌÊÓƵ 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 ¶¹Ä̶ÌÊÓƵ .
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.
Empowerment and Influence – Learning in the 21st Century: 2015-2021
The strategic plan and vision for ¶¹Ä̶ÌÊÓƵ2015-2021 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 ¶¹Ä̶ÌÊÓƵ 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.
Our Principals
We are very grateful for the leadership and fellowship that has been provided by our Head of Colleges.
Ps Paul Camac: 1980 – 1981
Mr Noel Shaw: 1982 – 1982
Mr Lesley Smith: 1983 – 1985
Mr Allan May: 1986 – 1991
Mr Bruce Campbell: 1987 – 2017
Mr Geoff van der Vliet: 2018 – Current