CEO's Message

Welcome to our Strathalbyn Christian College web site.

It is our desire that as you browse through the photographs and information you gain a sense of the wonderful educational community that exists at our College. 

For those of you who have been involved in education either as a parent, teacher or student, you will know that every school has a certain ‘feel’.  From the moment I arrived at this College four years ago, I was excited to be working amongst staff and students for whom learning was an adventure.  There is a caring, supportive feel amongst the student body, and a passion for excellence and a desire amongst the staff to see each student perform to their to their best.  Parents care about their children and the partnership between home and family is real and evident.

Our College is continually refining the curriculum to ensure that our students receive the best in education.  By keeping in touch with professional education bodies around Australia, our staff is able to receive the latest professional development.  We are justifiably proud of the educational quality our College provides. 

We realise that curriculum is both the tool and the process of shaping children’s lives.  We are intentional about the way we use curriculum.  We want our students to graduate and be able to be successful in whatever field they believe God is calling them to. 

Our curriculum will help children to be able to engage in society.  To be able to succeed university, get a trade, enter the workforce or serve the community some other way, we believe it is important that the schooling process enables the students to be part of the community.

Our curriculum will also help students to be able to critique our society.  We want discerning young adults who are able to ‘call it as it is; to recognise where there is oppression and suffering and to be able to stand alongside those who are who are in need. 

Our curriculum will assist children to be able to offer solutions which bring about transformation.  We want our students to be able to offer answers and make positive contributions.

This year I have had a quote from Abraham Kyper, displayed on my office wall.  He wrote:
"There is not one square inch of this entire creation that Jesus Christ does not cry out this is mine, this belongs to me." 

In many ways our College is an expression of that quote.  As teachers and students explore and revel in ‘every square inch of this creation’ in the arts, in sport, in academia and in relationships they proclaim that Jesus is Lord of all.  As a Christian College we have a sure basis to explore in full all areas of academic pursuit:

• Because we believe God is a God of order we can expect to find patterns and ‘rules’ in science,
• Because we believe God is a God who creates we delight in the beauty of creative dance, music and drama,
• Because God entrusted us with this creation we can understand ecology and must be in the forefront of developing technologies, and lifestyles which enable the beautiful planet to thrive without pollution and destruction, and
• Because God created us in His image we are expected to pursue excellence and reject mediocrity. 

I have been wonderfully blessed to work in this educational community and I commend this web site to you so that you can understand who we are - a community of people - who dare to aim for the highest and encourage each other to live, to love and to learn to the glory of God.

Dan Clarke
Principal