A Bendigo church hopes to establish a new, low-fee Christian school on the outskirts of the city.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bendigo Baptist Church is currently seeking expressions of interest from parents whose children will be in prep to grade four in 2022.
"It's been a hope and dream of ours for several years now, to start the Bendigo Christian College," senior pastor David Lovell said.
More education news: Central Victorian educators in running for excellence awards
The proposed school would be built on the same site as the church, on the McIvor Highway at Junortoun.
Pastor Lovell said the school, if realised, would be a small, low-fee, rural school that could provide students and families with individualised care in the early years of a child's schooling.
"Low-fee Christian education is inclusive for a broader range of people," he said.
Pastor Lovell said Bendigo would continue to grow and there was room for another private Christian school in the city.
"We know more and more families are seeking to put their children into private education," he said.
Bendigo Baptist Church also had about 100 families involved in its playgroups prior to COVID-19, Pastor Lovell said, so a school also offered the church an opportunity to continue improving the lives of young people and their families.
He said the church was seeking expressions of interest to see if there was enough demand for the school.
Should it go ahead, he said, the school would likely open with students from prep to grade two initially, before expanding into the older grades.
The church hopes to open the school in February 2022.
More local news: Student's story of sadness captures national prize
Pastor Lovell said the vision was to develop a primary school, but as the school grew it could expand into secondary education.
While the school will be separate to the church, church affirmation will still be required to proceed, should the community prove interested in the idea.
Pastor Lovell said the church was passionate about providing Christian education and wanted to help children "discover their God-given potential".
A Zoom information session will be held at 2pm on Sunday, October 11.
More information on the school, the Zoom session and making an expression of interest is available online at the school's website.
Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
