Christian Education

Staff at the College are practising Christians who are selected and employed on the basis of their expertise in teaching or support areas.

Families at the College do not need to be practising Christians but students will hear that God loves them and has a purpose for their lives.

Christian Studies is a subject that is taken by all students from Kindergarten through to Year 12.

There are Chapel Services at the College which are held weekly for Junior students, fortnightly for Middle students and approximately twice per term for Senior students.

There are also additional opportunities for students to be involved in various Christian groups at the College.

At Wollondilly, our staff are dedicated to supporting the students in their Pursuit of Excellence in all areas of their education within a Christian Framework. Your child will hear that “God loves them and has a purpose for their life”.

Towards Excellence

Some say we emphasise technology; some sport; some creative arts; some performing arts; most academic. We need to emphasise of all those things.

We are aware that each member of the family will have different talents and aspirations – it is ideal if each can feel that this is “their” College.

When a child begins at the College at four years of age, there is no telling what they will make of all the opportunities that are available and in which area they will excel.

It was against this background that the College has focused on all things but particularly on Teaching and Learning – a focus that led to a unique commitment in the construction of seven separate Libraries on site and planning for an eighth, along with the necessary IT support structures for such an ambitious commitment.

Pride in Belonging

Human beings are relational. We are made to relate to each other and ultimately to God. A sense of “we” thinking rather than “me” thinking is fundamental to empathy, compassion and understanding. A positive sense of “us” is a powerful foundation.

Community Engagement and Involvement

As a College, we have a responsibility to our community locally, nationally and internationally.

Our staff and students contribute locally through charity, community events and sponsorship; nationally through sports representation, outreach and contributions to the educational debate; internationally through academic travel, student exchange, mission and sports.

Education for Life (A Second Education)

A child’s morals, ethics, standards, who they associate with and their ability to take a stand; are all the product of the home they grew up in – but supported by the school they attended and the peers they associated with. Our staff may teach Mathematics or English or Primary education – but they are also responsible for a second education. They don’t just teach subjects. They teach life character to hearts, minds, souls, personalities and futures.

God created mankind to rule the Earth and with the free will to accept or reject Him as a loving Father. We chose to reject God. Our perfect relationship with God was damaged beyond our repair (Rom 3:23). God is perfection. He is an incorruptible judge and cannot compromise so justice requires eternal separation from Him (Rom 6:23). It is God who provides the perfect life on our behalf through the death of perfect Jesus (1 Peter 3:18).

The gospel is the news that, when we were powerless, Christ pre-paid the price for us. It is good news for those who accept the exchange of Christ’s perfection and eternity with God for our imperfection and judgement. It is bad news for those who ignore Christ and seek to win God’s favour through the “purity” of their own good works.

There are Three Colours:

Black – from the Coal Industry;
Green – from the local Olive Gardens
White – from the White Waratah.

There are Three Words:

For Christ’s Glory: The College seeks to reach the people of the Wollondilly Shire with the good news of Jesus Christ – John 17:5 And now Father, glorify me in your presence with the Glory I had with you before the World began.

There are Three Themes:

Excellence: Three White Waratahs – A local rare Australian native flower: God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) has set a pattern of excellence in the beauty of creation – Luke 12:27 Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these.

Endurance: The Shield – A symbol of strength, protection and endurance amongst enemies, both seen and unseen – Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the Devil’s schemes.

Eternity: The Cross – A reminder of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice to secure our eternity with God and a reminder of His Commission to all Christians to spread the news that there is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved – Mark 8:34 If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

The House Crests

Acacia (Gold)

There are nearly 1,000 species of the Acacia plant that are native to Australia. The most famous example is the wattle. Many species have a subtle fragrance and bloom from late winter into the spring. The National colours of green and gold worn by Australian sporting teams are based on the green leaves and gold flowers of the acacia (Wattle). It is also the official Australian floral emblem.

Grevillea (Maroon)

The genus Grevillea are the most popular and widely grown Australian plants. They attract a variety of Australian birds due to their colourful displays of flowers. There are over 300 species of Grevillea, most of which are native to Australia. Flowers are very small and occur in clusters called an inflorescence.

Sollya (Blue)

Blue native Australian flowers are not common. The Sollya, or Western Australian Bluebell is an evergreen climbing plant. The flowers are shaped like little bells approximately one to two centimetres long. Sollyas grow to a height of two metres and are found predominantly in the south western part of Western Australia. The plant is named after the naturalist, RH Solly.

Telopea (Red)

The most famous example of the genus Telopea is the Red Waratah. It is the floral symbol of New South Wales and is proudly worn by the NSW Rugby team. It is a spectacular garden plant which attracts a multitude of native birds. The flower is actually a conflorescence, made up of around 10 to 250 individual flowers. (The Wirrimbirra White Waratah is also a member of the genus Telopea)

Wollemi (Green)

Like the white Waratah, the Wollemi Pine is a very rare Australian plant. It was discovered in the Wollemi National Park at the bottom of a deep gorge in the early 1990s. Fossil comparisons indicate that the pine tree was around during the time of the dinosaurs. It is so rare that its location in the National Park is a closely guarded government secret.