PRINCIPAL’S WELCOME

Welcome to Bayside Christian College

Bayside Christian College is indeed a very special place, and it is my great pleasure to welcome you to our website and our College. Following 15 years of leading schools in Queensland and Western Australia, and nearly three decades as an educator, I have gained significant experience, and have developed informed opinions about schools, education and what makes a school … a great school.

I have had a long-held belief that it is the quality of the human relationships, the beliefs that exist within a school and the observable Values that define its character, its feel and the essential teaching and learning relationships that are formed. I have seen many organisations make claims about ‘excellence’ in what they do, about their standard of ‘care’ for all, or about their stated Values or Beliefs, only to see these limited to but a few individuals within the organisation, and these are sadly, more-often than not, short-lived.

In order for a School to be truly effective, to provide a quality education for children, and be a place in which all thrive, the school must indeed have these Values embedded in all they say and expressed in all they do; staff and students should not only be aware of these Values and Beliefs but be guided by them; and finally, they should be found in all activities of the Board in their Governance and in the direction they travel.

Schools promote themselves in a variety of ways, and sadly many seek superficial benchmarks. Great schools are those of true substance and are defined by the quality of relationships that exist between students, parents, and staff. At Bayside Christian College, we value these essential partnerships and regard them as essential in the education of each and every child. Students take educational risks, dare to challenge themselves and aim to succeed, when they feel supported in a caring and nurturing environment with dedicated and highly experienced teachers. This is of the greatest importance at Bayside Christian College, as we continue our journey to be the school of choice on the beautiful Fraser Coast.

Our College is a Christian School – one in which we deliver a student-centred, creative, and engaging education of the highest standard, founded in a Christian worldview. Our Christian beliefs permeate and inform our engagement, support our calling as educators, and give us the higher purpose of educating and supporting the young lives entrusted to us. These beliefs help us to make sense of the complexity of life and draw us to understand God’s design and purpose for us.

There is a peace and wonderful strength in putting our trust in God, in recognising that Christ walks with us every day, and this is so evident within our College.

International research indicates that it is the collective efficacy of teachers that has the greatest impact on student achievement. At Bayside Christian College we base our teaching and learning strategies on leading international research in education and positive psychology within a Christ-centred environment. This enables our students from Prep to Year 12 to think creatively, develop a strong moral and ethical framework, and be ever mindful of their God given gifts, as they learn to apply their skills and knowledge to new and real-life situations.

We aim to make our learning intentions clear, highly visible, and accessible to all students. This leading approach to teaching and learning focuses on the individual student, thereby better providing for their individual needs and enables them to grow and develop academically, emotionally, spiritually, and personally.

Whilst proud of the academic record that Bayside Christian College has achieved over its short lifespan, our greatest achievements are found in the development of the young men and women who grow to become ‘The Bayside Graduate’ and our ability to inspire Christian character in all. The College strives to achieve this by challenging students to develop an understanding of God’s plan for them, developing the intellectual and spiritual character necessary to become passionate about the ongoing pursuit of learning; to have the skills and confidence to succeed in an increasingly complex world; and to become committed to creating positive futures for the good of all, through faith, leadership, and active service in their communities.

The College caters for students with a diverse range of talents, interests, needs and academic abilities, through its comprehensive academic program, our learning enrichment program, diverse co-curricular activities, and our strong pastoral care system which has a foundation in educational research, positive psychology, and Biblical perspectives.

Our College boasts leading educators, who truly care and are committed to continuous improvement and the belief that ‘every child comes first’. Our Non-Teaching staff, Administration Staff and Grounds/Maintenance staff provide outstanding support, facilities, and opportunities for our students.

I have long believed that choosing a school is perhaps the most important decision that a parent will ever make. Every child and young adult deserves the highest standard of education to support and encourage them to achieve their personal best; to develop the essential qualities that enable them to act with purpose and character; to possess those much-needed values to operate within the moral framework of an ethical community, and the spiritual awareness to see God’s plan for their life.

Our College is a young, but thriving and dynamic environment, one with an assortment of outstanding educational opportunities and offerings. While websites are useful for the dissemination of information, they do not enable the unique essence of a school, its values, character or feel to be understood, appreciated, or experienced and so, while I encourage you to peruse our site, I invite you to visit our campus for a personal tour, and an opportunity to see how our community can help in the education and growth of your child.

I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to our community at Bayside Christian College.

Brian Grimes BSc, DipEd, MEd, FAIM, CCEO.
Principal
Bayside Christian College