Mountains Christian College A non-denominational Day College Kindergarten to Year 12 Information Pack 60 Thirroul Avenue PO Box 396 Blackheath NSW 2785 Ph: 02 4787 8645 Fax: 02 4787 6160 Email: bluemountainscs@gmail.com Website: www.mountainscc.nsw.edu.au Operated by the Blue Mountains Christian Education Association Ltd A.B.N. 12 002 885 412 updated November 2011
Table of Contents A Christian School: A Parent s Choice History: Past to Present A Sense of Community: Love in Action Beyond the Classroom: A Balanced Education Kindergarten: A Special Time Primary College Curriculum: Getting the Basics Right Secondary College Curriculum: Preparing for the Future Financial Contributions: Policy and Schedule Application: Enrolment Form
A Christian School A Parent s Choice Mountains Christian College was established and is controlled by an Association of Christian parents and friends on the understanding that, under God, parents are responsible for the education of their children both inside and outside the home. Parents and teachers work together in partnership towards the total education of the child. One of the underlying principles of a Christian School is that parents have the privilege of being responsible for the education of their children and should have the opportunity to play an active role in that education. At MCC it is our aim to provide an environment in which the Christian faith is applied to all areas of life and in which the values and faith of the family home can be encouraged and extended. It is a college where each child is cared for and nurtured, and his or her unique gifts and abilities are recognised and valued. Young people are prepared for adulthood, for work and leisure and for service in the community. They are encouraged to form strong Christian values and so are prepared and equipped to meet the demands and challenges of the world around them. A Christian Education National School Mountains Christian College is a member of Christian Education National, a family of over 50 member associations which together govern some 80+ schools with approximately 23,000 students and 2,000 teaching staff. Mountains Christian College is owned and operated by an Association of Christian people. The Association is nondenominational and membership is open to any person who is a committed Christian. Members elect a Board of Directors. The Principal and staff are accountable to the Board for the day to day running of the College. No religious affiliation is required of parents who wish to enrol their children at the college; however our parents are aware of the College s distinctive Christian character. The School Vision To the Glory of God, we as parents, staff and students in partnership, strive, in all aspects of college life, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, to follow Biblical principles in a community that demonstrates the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
History Past to Present Mountains Christian College commenced in 1982, and was then known as Gateway Christian School, with 17 students in one class K to 4 in a church hall in Bowenfels, near Lithgow, under Ruth Blackburn as Principal. In 1983 the school moved to Marrangaroo with classes K to 5. By 1985 the school had 60 students in classes K to 7. 1986 saw the school operate from two campuses. The Bowenfels campus had classes K to 8 and numbered 75 students. A K to 6 campus in the old convent building in Hat Hill Rd, Blackheath, catered for 30 students, with George Glanville as Principal. By 1987 the two campuses joined and operated from the Hat Hill Rd site with 111 students from K to 9. The school moved to its current site in Term 4 of 1988, with 151 students from K to 10. In 1990 Mountains Christian College (then Gateway) presented its first students for the HSC. The current site occupied by Mountains Christian College was first used in 1888 as a boarding establishment. A brick building was built on the site of the bottom oval by Ms Elliott and Ms Taylor, to be used as a hotel with panoramic views over Kanimbla Valley. It never opened and was owned by the bank in 1892-1893. A Mr Lindeman ran it as a ladies boarding house for a time, when it was sold to Dr Paton who named it Cramnond. It became Osborne Ladies College at the turn of the century with Miss Violet Gibbons as the Headmistress. The college closed in the 1950 s and the property was bought by the World Wide Church of God, who built the college s present building. The old Osborne College burned down in the 1960 s bushfires and the administration area of Mountains Christian College has been built with bricks from the old College building. A group called Logos bought the site in the 1980 s and operated a school until Gateway purchased the site in 1988. In 1995 students studying for their HSC began a pathways program, where students study three HSC subjects in Year 11, and three subjects in Year 12, thus completing their HSC over two years. In 1999 the school changed its name to Blue Mountains Christian School and introduced a new uniform. The school again changed its name in 2010 to Mountains Christian College and retains the same uniform.
A Sense of Community Love in Action The development of a sense of caring for others ties very closely with Mountains Christian College s Vision of being in a community that demonstrates the fruit of the Holy Spirit, that is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, perseverance and self control. Community Care The College has become involved in many charity organisations through different fundraising activities. Throughout the year students have the opportunity to raise money for the TEAR Fund, Christian Children s Fund, CANTEEN, World Vision, the Salvation Army and various charitable organisations. Secondary students have opportunities to serve some of the elderly residents in our local community through assisting at the Community and Blackheath Neighbourhood Centre. A number of older friends of the college volunteer in the primary classrooms, helping with craft and reading lessons. Community Involvement Students have many opportunities to become involved in the local community, through regular participation in local flower & craft shows, The Daffodil Fair, Blackheath Day, The Rhododendron Festival, ANZAC Day, The Lithgow Show, Easter and Christmas Celebrations. Special Needs Our focus at MCC is to address the needs of all of our students, and the Special Needs Program provides support and encouragement for those students struggling with any aspect of literacy or numeracy and in need of one-on-one tuition. The program is run by a qualified teacher with emphasis on the needs of the individual child. Student Leadership At MCC students are encouraged to use their gifts to serve each other and to bring glory to God. There are a number of avenues for both primary and secondary students to use their leadership skills. In the Primary College class teachers look for opportunities for students to display leadership through leading assemblies, bus monitors, class and reading buddies, computer helpers, assisting Infants with getting ready for swim school, serving at college functions etc. Similar opportunities exist for the Secondary College students through the Yr7 to Yr12 Leadership Program. Parents in Partnership MCC has been established by parents and a distinctive feature of our college is the high level of involvement of parents in the ongoing operation of the college. Parents can be Association members, Board members, involved on various committees, helping in classrooms, assisting on excursions, camps and sporting activities, working bees and much more.
Beyond the Classroom A Balanced Education Mountains Christian College pursues many avenues in search of individual growth, offering a wide range of opportunities beyond the classroom. Tumbling Classes & Swim School All students from Kindy to Year 6 can participate in the Tumbling Program, which is offered in Term Tow, and the Swim Program which is offered in Term Four. Lessons are conducted at the Katoomba Sports & Aquatic Centre, and are run by qualified swimming instructors at a reduced fee. Outdoor Education Course The bushland setting and close proximity to National Parks make MCC ideal for focussing on the natural environment and outdoor activities. The Yr9 and 10 Outdoor Education course conducts a number of activities throughout the year. Activities include bushwalking, overnight hikes, mountain bike riding, canyoning, cross country skiing, rockclimbing and abseiling. There is also an annual Ski Trip to the NSW snowfields open to students, parents and staff. Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Open to students in Years 9 and 10 the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is a widely recognised Scheme which encourages students to become involved in their community and develop personally through the four components of the Award: Community Service, Physical Recreation, Skills and Expeditions. Training for the Expedition component is run over 10 weeks during Sport. Camps and Excursions In the Primary College each class goes on a number of excursions throughout the year which are linked to their studies. Year 3 & 4 also have a College sleepover, and Year 5 & 6 annually visit either Canberra for three days, or take an overnight study trip to the Goldfields (eg. Hill End). In the Secondary College, subject teachers organise excursions appropriate to their subjects. As well as class excursions, Year 7 and 8 go on a three day Camp and Year 9 have a week long Alpine Adventure Camp. Celebrations Annual celebrations in the Primary College may include Grandfriends Day, International Day, Book Character Parades, Easter Pageants and Christmas plays. Over the years Secondary College students have also been involved in the presentation of musical events. Music Private music tuition is available to students wanting to learn Piano, Guitar and Recorder. Lessons are taught during college time by a qualified music teacher. Performance dance & music groups are regularly assembled for special occasions & college assemblies. Sport Many opportunities exist for students outside of regular PE lessons. Primary students participate in statewide sports competitions, Gala Days with other Christian Schools, local Indoor Soccer competitions and Swim School (referred to elsewhere). As well as PE lessons, students in Secondary have one afternoon a week allocated to sports and can choose from a variety of activities such as: Netball, Basketball, Athletics, Bushwalking, Indoor Rockclimbing, Mountain Bike Riding, Eco Club, Duke of Edinburgh, Gardening, Tennis, Golf, Dance, Life Saving, Rollerblading & Skateboarding. Both Primary & Secondary students can represent the college in swimming & athletics at Christian & Independent School Carnivals.
Kindergarten A Special Time Kindergarten is a very special time in the life of a child and their parents, as it is the start of many new experiences, dreams, hopes and challenges. At Mountains Christian College we consider these early years as vital to a child s education and so we provide a stimulating, supportive and creative learning environment in which children can enjoy their early experiences of college. The structure is based on the need to master skills in literacy, numeracy, problem-solving, communications and personal and spiritual development, rather than just the teaching of particular subjects. Kindy Orientation Children starting college in February are encouraged to come to Kindy Orientation during term 4 of the year before their commencement in Kindergarten. Over a four week period in Term 4 children can come to college for half a day each week. The orientation program is designed to help the children develop a sense of belonging and confidence in their college.
Primary College Curriculum Getting the Basics Right At Mountains Christian College we seek to bring out the best in each student, as our college motto says: My Best for God s Glory. We recognise that students all have different gifts and abilities, for some it will be the academic, for others sport or music, while for some it is the ability to be a good friend. Our emphasis is on the individual student being challenged in and achieving the best of which they are capable. We strive to challenge each child in English, Mathematics, HSIE (Human Society in its Environment), Science and Technology, Music and Drama, Visual Arts, Physical Education, Health, Personal Development and Biblical Studies. The curriculum is based on the Board of Studies Syllabus Documents. The Primary College approach to education is designed: to promote in each child a growing understanding of themselves and their relationship with God and with others to be challenging and exciting Our qualified and experienced staff know the students well and suit their programs to fit with the needs of their class. Extra help is available for students who are finding class work difficult (refer to Special Needs). Similarly teachers are trained to challenge the talented students in their class. At MCC we feel that communication with the home is important, so close contact with parents is maintained throughout the college year. Formal reporting is conducted twice a year and parents are invited to Parent/Teacher Chats in Terms 1, 2 and 4. to include a core of knowledge to develop thinking skills to give opportunities
Secondary College Curriculum Preparing for the Future At Mountains Christian College we seek to bring out the best in each student, as our college motto says: My Best for God s Glory. We recognise that students all have different gifts and abilities, for some it will be the academic, for others sport or art, while for some it is the ability to be a good friend. Our emphasis is on the individual student being challenged in and achieving the best of which they are capable. MCC offers a balanced program in the Secondary College, governed by the Board of Studies requirements, which caters for the needs, interests and skills of our students. The curriculum provides for students whose ability ranges from average to high, seeking the full development of every student s potential. Stage 4 (Years 7 & 8) Curriculum English Mathematics Science Geography History Bible For Life & Devotions Design & Technology (including Computers) LOTE (Languages Other Than English) - German Music Visual Arts Personal Development / Health / Physical Education Sport Stage 5 (Years 9 & 10) Curriculum English Mathematics Science Geography History Bible for Life & Devotions Personal Development / Health / Physical Education Careers Education (Year 10) Work Experience (Year 10) Electives include: Commerce Visual Arts Design and Technology Food Technology Outdoor Education Stage 6 (Years 11 & 12) Subjects offered: English (Standard & Advanced) Biology Chemistry Music Food Technology Business Studies Geography Studies of Religion Mathematics Modern History Ancient History Photography Visual Art Personal Development / Health / Physical Education Drama Society & Culture