The Educational Journey from the Early Days to the Present
Reflections from the Founding Director and Teacher, Mrs Bev Starrenburg
Kindy at Northside Christian Family Church

There has been involvement in education since Northside Christian Family Church was first built in 1976.The initial ministry was a Kindergarten/Pre-school which operated until it closed at the end of 1984 to make way for the school.
Northside Christian Family Kindergarten was very popular; with 75 students daily; in three groups of 25. The founding director, Mrs Bev Starrenburg, was appointed by Pastor John Lewis and the church board to establish and run the Kindy which operated downstairs.
When the Kindy began, the top floor of the building was still unfinished. The lower space also was used for the Sunday services at that time; meaning there was regular packing and unpacking of equipment and furniture. In the spirit of church planting, people gave of their time and talents to make it happen.
The early days of planning and dreaming

During this time, there was already an interest in establishing a Christian school as a ministry of the church. Mr Graham Corney envisioned a school to support Christian parents who desired an education for their children that was based within a Christian worldview and upheld the same beliefs and values that they were taught at home. It was a long and complicated process to ensure that the school would be built on the best educational, spiritual and philosophical foundation and that journey needs a more detailed explanation than is possible in this story.
First class of students

This dream grew to fruition at the beginning of 1985, when Mrs Shirley Mead began teaching the first group of students in the downstairs space which had been occupied by the Kindy. The initial class had 13 students in Years One to Three. Later that year, a pre-school group began wIth Mrs Tricia Crimmins as teacher. In the second year, Mrs Bev Starrenburg returned to teach and Mrs Denise Plumb began the year after that. Mrs Betty Liyanage was the very talented Teacher Aide. From that small beginning, the number of staff and students has grown dramatically. That, too, needs more explanation that is possible here.
The early days of the school were very much a pioneering venture. The school was built by faith; having limited physical resources but much dedication. Northside Christian Community School was an independent venture. It was begun as a ministry of Northside Christian Family Church and affiliated with Christian Community Schools of Australia.
Working together to build a school
Everyone involved in the beginnings of the school was committed to play their part. Volunteers sewed the uniforms, paper was donated, working bees were enthusiastically attended. Teachers worked for wages much lower than those of their state colleagues.
So it was that the school was birthed with everyone doing “what it took”. To teach in the school was very much a calling, not a job. For a parent to trust the child’s education to a pioneer school was a step of faith. For the elders of the church to undertake the responsibility of the governance of the school was a step of faith. People were in partnership.