Namoi Valley Christian School hosts official opening of secondary campus

On Thursday, March 19, Namoi Valley Christian School officially opened its secondary campus on Cowper Street, Wee Waa.

Attendees gathered under the shade of the campus’ beautiful trees to celebrate an important milestone for NVCS and a positive step forward for the wider district, marked by the expansion of educational opportunities and choices for local families. As well as those considering a move to the region.

The opening was a chance to reflect on the school community’s remarkable journey, show attendees the impressive new facilities and enjoy an afternoon tea with a mix of locals linked to NVCS – from past and present students and staff to board members and parents.

When asked about the community’s response, NVCS principal Peter Henderson said the secondary school had been warmly welcomed.

“I am constantly receiving positive feedback,” he said. “I have had many of our current families indicate how grateful they are that they now have NVCS as an option to the end of Year 10.

“I have had prospective families comment that the addition of secondary is something which they believe will be a wonderful addition to the Narrabri Shire.

“I have had people in the street stop to speak to me to congratulate the school on our buildings and our growth.”

NVCS board chair Travis Lions said the school was founded in 1983, ‘beginning with just seven students and one teacher, who was hired month before classes started in February,’ Mr Lions told the crowd at the opening.

However, from little thing, big things grow – there are currently 86 primary and 51 secondary school students enrolled at NVCS. It is the only independent high school in the Narrabri Shire.

“The purpose of Namoi Valley Christian School is to support Christian parents by providing an educational setting in which teaching and learning of a high standard are founded on Bible-based beliefs, values and behaviours and where parents have ready access to decision-making framework,” Mr Lions explained.

Mr Henderson told The Courier, the opening ‘was a nice occasion, however, for me the important part is the journey we have been on’. He said: “The official opening was a confirmation of how God has enabled NVCS to not just build new buildings but start the journey into secondary education.”

“The opening was the formal process to conclude the process we’ve been on for many years. NVCS has been on an amazing journey over the last decade. We have great facilities; we have wonderful staff and we have supportive parents,” said Mr Henderson.

“However, I bring this all back to God. If we tried to achieve what we have by ourselves, we wouldn’t have succeeded. This is all thanks to God’s goodness, kindness and faithfulness.”

Mr Lions recalled how relocatable classrooms had been placed on the primary campus for the first NVCS Year 7 class in February 2022.

“Peter Carrett, who came out of retirement, became the first secondary teacher, with Luke Carrett serving as the first secondary teacher’s aide.”

Mr Lions and Mr Henderson thanked those who helped to make the dream of a NVCS secondary campus a reality – from board members to builders, council and governments, banks and insurance companies, staff and parents, community members and local supporters.

“What we have here is because of God’s goodness to NVCS,” said Mr Henderson.

“There are so many people who have enabled us to be where we are today.

“Some people have played minor roles, other have played more significant roles, but they have all contributed,” he said.

“From our first meeting with the team from Narrabri council we felt that they were very supportive of our plan to deliver an Independent secondary schooling option for the Narrabri Shire.

“The addition of secondary and all that brings is significant, and in some aspects scary. The Board have been faithful as we have walked this journey,” he continued.

“Olive and the cleaning team, thanks for the work you do to keep our site looking wonderful.

“Parents saw our vision and entrusted us with the education of their children even before we had these wonderful facilities. Thank you for trusting us, thank you for supporting us.

“Our staff, as with the parents, some of you have journeyed with us back when we were working out of demountables. There have been some difficult times, there have been some amazingly joyous times, but throughout all times you have continued to provide a quality education to our secondary students.

“Thank you for your work, thank you for your desire to constantly improve. These buildings are wonderful, but they’re only buildings. They would mean nothing if we didn’t have our wonderful staff.

“Finally, to our students. A school isn’t made up of buildings…even though that is why we’re here today. A school isn’t made up of staff. The heartbeat of a school is the students. Whilst we waited for these buildings to be complete, they went about their learning in demountable rooms. You completed woodwork tasks in the ‘eating area’ at Primary, you made trips to the Presbyterian church food tech classes, you have shown great resilience in the midst of ongoing change. Thank you.”

As previously reported, Narrabri Shire Council has long supported the school’s expansion, recognising the benefits it brings to the shire.

“It’s very exciting – it’s a great thing for the shire, but it’s a better thing for Wee Waa,” said Narrabri Shire Council’s economic development manager Bill Birch in 2022 when the high school first started.

“It is investment in educational resources like this which can potentially attract people to this town. We know that people will look at school options when making decisions because they want continuity of education for their children.

“To take it from the low numbers up to the numbers that are presently enrolled at the school now, they’re obviously driven, and committed to the school, industry, shire and community.”

Mr Lions explained ‘the entire project, including land acquisition, design, planning, consulting fees, legal fees and construction, exceeded $5,600,000.

“Government grants totalled $1,387,000, with the remainder funded through a tax-deductible building fund and bank finance, reflecting years of dedicated support and vision from the school’s community, which we are greatly thankful for.”

NVCS board chair Mr Lions, who also drives the NVCS bus from Narrabri to Wee Waa added: “Although the past six years have been busy, the outcome has been remarkable for Christian families and the broader Namoi Valley community.

“The Board is committed to delivering a high-quality education and may look into expanding to Years 11 and 12 if we can maintain that high educational standard.

“Currently, our focus is up to Year 10, and we continue to explore options to help students transition smoothly into Years 11 and 12 if they wish to continue in their secondary education. As a Christian community, we give praise to God for His provision to the school and the impact we strive to make on our community.”