Celebrate With Us
We would like to warmly invite anyone who has been a supporter of Carinya Christian School Tamworth over the years—be they past staff, founding members, students, parents, or volunteers to join our 40th Anniversary Celebration Facebook page.
“A CAUTIOUS BEGINNING”
Tamworth Reformed Church set up a committee to investigate the possibility of establishing a school as a ministry of the church.
Members of the church sought a school that would present their children with a Christ-centred approach to learning and living. They hoped other Christians in Tamworth would share this desire and benefit. Many meetings were held in homes, and information was gathered from existing Christian school organisations.
“THE SCHOOL BOARD IS FORMED”
The ‘Tamworth Christian Education Pty Ltd’ was established on 13 October 1983, and a board was formed.
The first School Board comprised Greg Davis, John King, Ray Meers & John Paterson. 38 applications were received for membership to the organisation and the Board met weekly. Committees were established for Finance, Education and Property. The board worked with the Tamworth Reformed Church (now Trinity) to purchase land, and the church paid for basic administrative costs.
“THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL”
The first day for the new school was the 21st May 1984.
It was decided the school would commence in Term 2, 1984 with the South Tamworth Uniting Church agreeing to the temporary use of a church building located at 22 Croydon Ave.
Helen Dunlop had already agreed to accept the position of Teacher in charge. At a meeting of the Board in March 1984, Helen herself recommended that she originally receive a reduced wage as the school clearly had no finances. Six students were enrolled, with five of these being present on the first day.
“THE MOVE TO CALALA”
With the aid of the Council, the present school site in Boronia Drive was purchased by the Tamworth Reformed Church.
The site was intended to be used as both a school complex and a future church. Apart from a cottage and an open shed, the site was largely undeveloped. Before the start of Term 1 1985, the existing farm cottage was converted and extended to create classrooms, administration and a library area.
“ESTABLISHING CARINYA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL”
The school was officially opened in February 1985 as Carinya Christian School, having commenced under the temporary name of Tamworth Christian School.
In November 1984, a list of school names was put forward for consideration, including Peel Valley, Immanuel, Redeemer, Calvary, Logos, Westminster, and Shalom. It was initially decided that the school would be known as Shalom Christian School and then Peel Valley Christian School, but neither name was generally supported.
In January 1985, it was agreed that the school would be known as Carinya Christian School. Carinya is an Aboriginal name meaning Happy Home.
“FORMING CULTURE - THE REWARD IS IN THE TASK”
Much thought was applied to the culture of teaching and learning at Carinya.
Achievement Awards were considered and trialled however the Board investigated removing all competition between students on the basis that a student must do their best because it is right to do so and pleasing God, which was the true reward.
Consequently awards and rewards did not become apart of Carinya, even from these very early years students were to be encouraged to use the gifts which God had given them faithfully to do their best.
The Carinya-ism that ‘The Reward Is In The Task’ is nearly as old as the school itself.
“NURTURED IN GOD’S GOODNESS - THE FIRST TEN YEARS”
Over the next decade the school grew from a renovated cottage to newly established facilities.
Parents were requested to contribute 8 hours per month to running the school via working bees, building projects, toilet cleaning, playground duties, vacuuming etc, etc. It's all part of getting a school “on its feet”.
A High School Committee was formed, and a combined Year 7 to 8 class of 19 commenced in 1988. Bruce Martin accepted the position of Secondary Teacher in 1988; he would go on to serve Carinya for 30 years, working as Deputy Principal. In 1989, Grahame Smith commenced as Principal of Carinya. His appointment at this early stage proved to be formative as Grahame established what Christian Education would look like at Carinya. Carinya had approval to provide education for Years 7 to 9 and provisional approval for Year 10 in 1990. 12 students graduated Year 10 class in 1990 but were not able to continue to Year 11 in 1991.
Year 11 was offered in 1992, and the first Year 12 class of twelve students graduated from Carinya in 1993.
“BUILDING BLOCKS - FOUR MAJOR BUILDINGS”
Between 1985 and 1994 four major building stages were completed concluding with the original Eucalypt block.
A council meeting was held in October 1991 to discuss the future expansion of the school and the impact this will have on Calala traffic. Ultimately it was decided by Council that the school could not continue to grow unless an alternate access was arranged off Calala Lane.
By 1994 the school had operated for 10 years and had 36 staff and 390 students in Kindergarten to Year 12. Carinya was now well on track to become a fully double streamed K to 12 school.
“TIME TO GET ORGANISED”
In 1988 there was no requirement to wear a school uniform, rather recommended dress guidelines were circulated.
By 1991 a Preferred Dress Code was published including detailed uniform requirements for students. Uniforms, materials and ‘Ready to Sew Kits’ were available from stores in town.
These early more relaxed standards were however soon surpassed by the requirement for students of Carinya to be well presented. Just as their studies and classrooms were well organised, their uniform was to be as well.
Ultimately a compulsory school uniform was introduced for all students from the beginning of the 1995 school year, almost 11 years after the school commenced.
“GROWING IN GOD’S GOODNESS”
In 1995, the Alpha and Omega school logo was adopted along with the motto “From Christ and For Him”. The identity of Carinya Christian School was now clearly developed.
The construction of the Carinya Performing Arts Centre in 1997 was marked by the official opening on Saturday the 8th November, which was combined with a Celebration Day.
Carinya Christian School Gunnedah commenced with 19 students in January 1999. In Term 3 of the same year the Prep class commenced for four year olds at the Tamworth school. With close to 700 students from Kindergarten to Year 12 in 1999, the school was reorganised into a Junior, Middle and Senior school with the focus being on providing a smoother transition for students from Years 6 to Years 7.
The alternative entrance to Carinya, Raywood Drive, was opened in 2004 and provided an avenue for future growth.
“OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND - EXPLORING GOD’S WORLD”
Carinya grew its excursion portfolios throughout the years, including developing an Outdoor Education Program
in Years 9-10.
The excursions to numerous locations across the state provided many lifetime memories for students who enjoyed activities such as canyoning, surfing, caving, kayaking, bushwalking, and skiing.
In 2007, Carinya commenced its first Cultural Service Trip to Tonga. This provided a rich connection between Carinya and Tapunisiliva College and created many opportunities to serve others. Today, students travel to Fiji, enjoying the people and sights of this fantastic country.
In 2012, Carinya increased its opportunities to travel internationally with its first trip to Japan. 13 Japanese students and 2 staff enjoyed the cultural and language immersion touring some of Japan’s greatest sights. This eventually led to the development of a relationship with a school in Japan, Altethia Shonnan, which has brought great joy to many.
“A NEW CHAPTER”
In 2015, after 26 years, the Principal of Carinya, Mr Grahame Smith retired. Mr David Jones was appointed as the new Principal and Mr Peter Weary the Deputy Principal.
A new executive team was formed, allowing for significant growth and change in the organisation. Building on the shoulders of greats including Mr Bruce Martin, Mr Steven Lyne and Sue Boland the school flourished to close to 850 students and over 100 staff.
As well as a strong focus on our Christ-Centred perspectives on education, Carinya developed its curriculum, implementing a range of programs to help position its students well into the 21st Century.
Led by Business Manager Stephen Carter, many new facilities were built including Lilly Pilly Cottage, senior study, playgrounds, science rooms, redevelopment of the Kindergarten rooms, Eucalypt Block and Music Theatrette.
Today we enjoy a rich community and look forward to the next 40 years of education, under the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ.
