Canberra Christian School: 50 years of equipping children for the future

A lot can change in 50 years. While Canberra may be unrecognisable today when compared to 1972, the most fundamental and essential need within our community remains the same – the need for excellent education in safe and loving schools.

This year marks Canberra Christian School’s 50th anniversary since opening its doors in 1972 to just 26 students. Now, with over 200 students under its tutelage, Canberra Christian School has grown to be a trusted member of the Mawson community in Woden over the decades.

Where it all began

Ephesians 22.6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; Even when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

This was in the minds of the local Canberra Church and conference members when they made the decision back in 1970 to build a Christian School in Canberra.

They laid down foundations on the same block of land on Ainsworth Street that we know today.

The school’s doors finally opened to its first batch of students two years later in February, with 26 children beginning the year together with their teacher and principal Anne Eggan. Most students were from families within the local Adventist Church community.

A small church was built on campus, and students would walk across the grass between to participate in chapel and lead in the church services on occasion.

Student numbers began to grow and, in 1974, Robert Flynn took over as Principal for a term of seven years. He reflected on his tenure saying, “The theme of my time here was peace. Not all workplaces are blessed in this way.

“My memory is of teamwork. School, home, and church coming together to support their children and working together to give them a good start in life – this one and the one to come.”

In 1981, construction was underway to connect the school and the church, creating space for a craft room and resource area between them. 1988 saw the highest student numbers yet, with 83 students enrolled that year.

In 1997, under the leadership of Principal Barry Dean, the school was renamed from Mawson Adventist Primary to Canberra Christian School. Another enduring change was the introduction of a language literacy program based on the hypothesis that all children can learn by utilising their individual capabilities.

This understanding – that every child comes to their learning with prior knowledge, experiences, and competencies – remains at the heart of the curriculum to this day.

Students continued to come and go, as is the transient nature of the ACT, and as a result, Canberra Christian School weathered its ups and downs.

In 2003, when the surrounding community was working to keep the school’s doors open, Canberra Christian School hosted an inter-school sports day, which led to a double-page spread in the Sunday Canberra Times.

Former principal Warren Watters fondly remembers the call he received the next day from a principal of a large neighbouring private school, asking how their school, so small in comparison, could get such impressive and extensive coverage in the local newspaper.

For 50 years, Canberra Christian School has persevered thanks to its community.

Over the last few years, it has focused on building that same community, supporting parents in their journey, and working alongside them to prioritise tailored learning for every child.

The recent renovations of the hall and staff spaces not only accommodate Canberra Christian School’s growing staff and student numbers, but now feature a dedicated space for STEM studies.

“We want to make sure our education spaces are built for the future, to equip our children through enquiry-based learning,” says current principal Bree Hills. “Spaces to pursue individual knowledges and passions.”

Members of the Canberra Christian School community, past and present, recently attended the opening of the newly built STEM and classroom spaces, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the school, and the start of the next half-century.

Today, the campus offers an Early Learning Centre (with Long Day Care), Pre-School and Primary School. Well-resourced, co-educational, with small classroom sizes so each student can be challenged to discover their particular gifts and talents, visit ccs.act.edu.au to experience the CCS difference.