Highview Christian Community College

Highview Christian Community College is an independent secondary school in Maryborough, Victoria, Australia. The current principal of the school is Mrs. Julie Baud. A low-fee secondary day school Highview College as a current enrolement of nearly 500 boys and girls.

The history of Highview College can be traced back to 1902. In that year the Brigidine Sister founded a convent in a building called "Clontarf". This building remains to this day a central building within the school. In the same year, St. Jospeh's College was opened in the Convent building with an enrolement of 3 students. Over the next 70 years, the student numbers varied from 3 to 120. In 1972, Canon John Leaver, Anglican Rector of Christ Church, Maryborough, discussed the possibility of founding an ecumenical school with Father Peter Claridge of the Roman Catholic Church. After receiving support from The Bishop of Ballarat, the Superior of the Brigidine Congregation, and other Anglican and Protestant church leaders, a public meeting was called in Maryborough. By 1973, considerable support had been shown, and the Methodist and Church of Christ churches joined the Anglicans and Roman Catholics on the Interim Board. By the end of the year, Mr. Peter Harris had been appointed as foundation Principal, and staff had been recruited. In 1973 the four churches that today still run the school (Church of Christ, Anglican, Catholic and Uniting) came together to start Highview, the first ecumenical school in the southern hemisphere, in place of St. Joseph's. The Christian Community College (Maryborough) opened its doors on the St. Joseph's site in February, 1974 with 126 students. In the same year, a building program added two classrooms and an amenities block along the Victoria St. boundary. As student numbers grew during 1975-1976, seven more classrooms and a Science room were added. In 1977, the Convent building was purchased and remodeled into an Administration center with an upstairs Resource Centre complex replacing the previous sleeping quarters of the Brigidine Sisters. In the following year, a mud-brick Art/Craft block was constructed, largely with voluntary labour. By 1980, the student population had reached 362, and more room was needed! A Building Appeal was launched, and through generous contributions and a Government grant, six more classrooms, a Domestic Science centre and a covered courtyard area were blended with the original Convent structure. As Maryborough C.C.C. flourished, so did the idea of ecumenical education. In 1976, a committee in Woodend used the Maryborough experience as a model for the establishment of Braemar College. Another ecumenical school opened in Portland in 1978, and during the 80's, five other Victorian locations took up the challenge of ecumenical education. In 1990, as a result of a review of marketing strategies, the trading name of `Highview' was added to the College title and a site was cleared for the construction of a further Science laboratory, multi-purpose classroom, music/drama complex and flexible chapel area. In 1997, Highview became a foundation member of the Victorian Ecumenical System of Schools, and now receives Government funding through this group. The System currently serves the needs of 18 schools throughout Victoria. In 2001, a multi-purpose hall, a small theatre, four senior school classrooms and a new Resource Centre facility were added to the Highview campus and with the completion of a new art, graphics and materials technology center in April 2004. The College provides the residents of Maryborough and district with an excellent, ecumenical, and independent alternative in education.

THE CREST AND MOTTO The design of the school's crest was developed by Mr. Graeme Bennett. The central section contains the key Christian symbols of the tree of life and the crossed `P' symbol is representative of Christ. The fine central line indicates the fountain of knowledge based in Christ. It suggests that education grows out of a Judeo/Christian view of the world which brings AbOUT reconciliation between people of all creeds and cultures. The background to these symbols contains the school colours of Red and Navy blue. Surrounding this central section is a circular shield representing the reconciling world. Originally, the shield section had a gap in it, indicating that our reconciliation is not yet complete - it is a process that will continue as different denominations grow together. The Highview crest now has a complete circle representing the goal of wholeness towards which we all strive.

The College motto, “Together We Rise To God” was developed by foundation Principal, Dr. Peter Harris. It encourages us to grow in harmony and co-operation with our brothers and sisters in Christ from all denominations, and in this spirit of Christian unity, to strive for and grow towards that perfection or wholeness for which we were created.

Highview College is deeply involved in the RACV Energy Breakthrough which is held in Maryborough every year. http://www.racvenergybreakthrough.net/

Contact Details Highview Christian Community College 21 Kars Street, Maryborough, VIC 3465 ph: (03) 5461 1833

More information about MAryborough can be found at: http://www.visitmaryborough.com.au/