Prospectus

ANGLICAN CHURCH GRAMMAR SCHOOL

MAKING OF MEN

Welcome to Churchie

Established in 1912, Anglican Church Grammar School, known internationally as Churchie, has focused on its mission—the making of men—to nurture and inspire boys to become men of character who will lead and serve in communities across the world for the common good.

Churchie offers a wonderful variety of learning experiences in local, national and international settings. As an academic institution, we deeply value intellectual and scholastic pursuits and recognise our role, in partnership with parents and the community, in assisting our young men to develop habits that will enable them to continue their pursuit of knowledge and learning throughout their lives.

Churchie’s four founding tenets of academic excellence, spiritual awareness, personal growth and service remain at the core of day-to-day activities. Our values and Anglican ethos are expressed through a commitment to excellence in teaching, learning, serving and personal development. We are a school with a proud tradition, a diverse and supportive culture and community, and an ambitious vision to be one of the world’s leading schools for boys.

As a school community, we are dedicated to celebrating achievement, character, creativity and effort across a vast range of academic, sporting, cultural and service pursuits, believing that every boy can achieve success and benefit from a broad, liberal education. Churchie men have for many decades been viewed as well-prepared gentlemen, scholars, athletes, musicians, leaders and servants, who are prepared to make a worthy contribution to the communities in which they live.

A visit to our beautiful campus will reveal a dynamic and purposeful atmosphere as young men and staff go about our core business of learning. Our world-renowned resources, borne of the vision and commitment by so many people for over 100 years, provide an ideal setting for boys to ‘run and grow and learn’ just as Churchie’s founder, Canon Morris, envisioned.

It would be our pleasure to welcome you to Churchie to see and learn more about our commitment to the education of young men.

Dr Alan Campbell Headmaster

Our ethos

As an Anglican School, Churchie is devoted to a vision of humanity shaped by the image of God, made visible in Jesus, present in every human being.

Our vision

To be viewed—globally—as a leading Anglican day and boarding school for boys.

Our mission

THE MAKING OF MEN

To nurture and inspire men of character who will lead and serve in communities across the world for the common good.

Our tenets

Academic excellence

Personal growth

Spiritual awareness Service

Our values

Integrity

Courage

Respect

Faithfulness

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Developing strong intellect by engaging in the pursuit of knowledge, truth and justice.

SPIRITUAL AWARENESS

Exploring and living the Christian faith in the Anglican tradition.

PERSONAL GROWTH

Growing and developing through a broad, liberal and balanced education.

SERVICE

Serving and leading with compassion and generous spirit. churchie.com.au/mission

Preparatory School

Reception to Year 6

Churchie’s Preparatory School for students in Reception (prep) to Year 6 offers an excellent foundation for learning within a caring, structured and exciting environment, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and resources.

An engaging curriculum is an intellectually challenging learning experience, with students becoming articulate, confident and independent learners who take responsibility for their own learning.

Coupled with an innovative pastoral care house system and expansive cocurricular programmes, leadership opportunities, service and spiritual awareness, Prep School boys become confident and accomplished young men who leave well-equipped for the next phase of their school life.

Learning at Churchie’s Preparatory School is active, vibrant, energetic and academically rigorous. Our curriculum gives students the skills and disposition to learn in a meaningful way.

Information and communication technology is incorporated through computers in every classroom, a fully automated library and a wireless tablet programme from Year 3.

There are many extension and enrichment opportunities. A Personalised Learning Team of teachers and assistants provide gifted and talented education and learning support.

Beyond the classroom, Prep School boys are challenged to grow socially, emotionally and physically via Churchie’s extensive offerings in sport, music, clubs, outdoor education, leadership, community service and spiritual life.

There are three entry years in the Prep School, each providing a unique experience:

Reception (prep year)

Year 3

Year 5

Reception – a time of wonder (2 classes)

A caring and exciting environment awaits our youngest Churchie boys, whose energy and enthusiasm for learning is infectious and engaging. Across bright and cheerful classrooms, boys begin learning to collaborate and express themselves, with an expert teacher and teacher aide in each classroom who have genuine care and high regard for helping boys thrive at this important stage. Highlights of this special time at Churchie are the annual Christmas Pageant and tailored age-appropriate cocurricular programmes, including chess, swimming and tennis.

Year 3 – discovering new horizons (3 classes)

An amazing journey awaits boys in Years 3 and 4 as they discover their independence, their passions and the many opportunities available at Churchie. Through engaging classroom learning and specialist music, art and digital media programmes, boys find exciting new ways to engage with the world. The house system also begins in Year 3, providing an innovative multi-age pastoral care programme to support boys’ growth.

Years 5 – confident young men (5 classes)

Year 5 at Churchie is a diverse community where continuing and new students begin to see themselves as young men, responsible for themselves and their learning, looking to make a positive contribution to the world through their ideas, statements, actions and compassion. In Years 5 and 6, students participate in the full array of sports and activities offered through the leading GPS schools network. They broaden their horizons through leadership, Outdoor Education and through participating fully in the service and spiritual life of the School.

churchie.com.au/ prep-school

Senior School

Years 7 to 12

Churchie’s Senior School is a vibrant community of 1,300 students across Years 7 to 12, comprising day students and boarders.

A broad range of curricular and cocurricular opportunities, supported by a nurturing pastoral care team, allows young men to explore and expand their interests and abilities. Each boy is encouraged to apply themselves across the four tenets of the School to develop intellectually, physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually—a balanced and nurturing journey to develop young men of good character, strong intellect and generous spirit, who can lead and serve others in the global community.

Year 7, the main entry year for the Senior School, welcomes new and continuing students in a vibrant and supportive community environment designed to foster friendships. Through a special programme, Year 7 students develop the skills and confidence needed to thrive and learn, with a focus on developing independence, resilience, responsibility and relationship building. A team of dedicated Year 7 staff provide expert care and guidance.

When students enter Year 7, Churchie offers a devoted transition year overseen by the Head of Year 7 and nine Year 7 form teachers. We are conscious that beginning Senior School is a significant transition and have developed a programme that supports each boy’s sense of belonging and equips him with the tools he needs to progress into Year 8 and beyond.

Important life skills, such as resilience, responsibility and relationship building, are developed through weekly pastoral learning classes, outdoor education, community service and the School’s vast array of cocurricular programmes.

Alongside all of this, our dedicated staff provide personal, emotional and spiritual support during their Year 7 transition year, led by a head of year and supported by the school psychologist, school chaplain, tutor teachers and peer support networks.

Years 8 to 10 at Churchie are formative years of growth, full of challenge, excitement, opportunity and depth. The curriculum is broad, with core and elective subjects across all disciplines to encourage boys to broaden their interests and discover new passions. Beyond the classroom, Churchie students in these years are fully immersed in sports and activities, music, service and the Tri-Service Cadets, expanding their interests and developing teamwork, compassion and leadership skills.

The senior years schooling at Churchie see students reach their full potential, graduating from Churchie as accomplished, well-balanced young men with the capacity and motivation to make positive contributions to the broader community. Students have the choice to complete either the Queensland Certificate of Education, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or a vocational education pathway. The cocurricular, service and spiritual awareness programmes continue to provide essential support, personal growth and social development—essential components in our mission ‘the making of men’.

Boarding

A great Australian boarding school

Boarding at Churchie is the quintessential Australian boarding school experience. Proud of our heritage and welcoming to all, Churchie’s 24/7 boarding programme is an immersive experience, bringing together boys from the country, the regions and the world in a supportive environment with great facilities and dedicated staff.

Churchie Boarding is a cherished part of the Churchie community, highly valued by all for the unique contributions, backgrounds and personalities our boarders bring to the School. Living centrally on the School’s large campus, boarders have easy access to all school facilities.

A seven-day-a-week boarding philosophy provides fulsome opportunities for boarders to thrive through full-time care, academic support, expansive cocurricular programmes and fun recreation opportunities that support the boys in their schooling life and personal growth, building friendships that last a lifetime.

The goals of Churchie Boarding are to:

• provide a happy, secure and challenging environment for each boy so that he may thrive as an individual to achieve his potential

• ensure that each boy engages with his academic responsibilities with vigour and commitment

• support each boy to grow spiritually, personally and, through the service programme, provide to the wider community

• encourage each boy to embrace a wide range of opportunities open to him in the global community

• develop leadership, resilience, self-reliance and an awareness to be responsible for himself and others.

Academic support

Churchie’s academic programmes provide three wellsupported pathways, QCE, IB and VET. All students have easy access to multiple levels of support and structures to help them focus and achieve their best to attain their tertiary and career goals.

Personal growth

As a key tenet of a Churchie education, Churchie boarders enjoy an abundance of opportunities for personal growth through social, leadership, service and spiritual activities created for the boarding community. A fun, active recreation programme helps build social connections that become lifelong connections, a powerful legacy of boarding as noted by Old Boys. Thanks to the seven-day boarding philosophy at Churchie, academic support, social growth and a well-structured timetable keep boarders engaged, connected and supported in their school and social lives.

World-class facilities

Churchie is committed to providing the best residential facilities of any boarding school, and this has been achieved through new and refurbished facilities. The boarding precinct currently includes a purpose-built health centre, refurbished residential buildings, a spacious dining room and a dedicated Year 7 centre. Boarders also have full use of state-ofthe-art library, sporting and cultural facilities, all within a short walk.

Academic

A positive learning culture

Churchie’s academic culture celebrates intellectual and creative pursuits and places learning at the heart of the School. As one of the four tenets of the School, Churchie aspires for all students to pursue academic excellence in their learning.

We challenge boys to exceed even their own expectations, and encourage hard work, enduring curiosity, effective reflection, self-belief and sharing your passions—all principles that underpin lasting success.

Students undertake a broad, liberal education based on the Australian Curriculum and the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) syllabuses. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, Churchie is also authorised for the delivery of the IB Primary Years Programme and the Diploma Programme. All Prep students complete the PYP while Senior School students choose between the IB and QCE pathways in Years 11 and 12. A vocational education (VET) pathway is also available in Years 11 and 12.

In his first address to parents, founding Headmaster Canon Morris stated his aim was to ‘train characters as well as minds’.

We know boys achieve academic success when given the opportunity to experience a challenging programme, one that ultimately empowers them to take full responsibility for their own learning. This is an important way by which Churchie strives towards its mission, the making of men.

Our Learning Framework

The Churchie Learning Framework provides an overarching philosophy for our style of teaching and learning, from Reception to Year 12, tailored to each age and stage of the curriculum as students move towards full maturation.

Importantly, the framework focuses on the essential relationship between students, teachers and parents. Our approach to explicit instruction is underpinned by a commitment to ongoing research, particularly around core science of learning principles, and with a strong focus on wellbeing and character development. We aim for our students to thrive in a multifaceted and ambitious learning and cultural environment.

Teaching efficient, effective study skills

Churchie students benefit from A Learner’s Toolkit, a world-leading study skills programme developed by the Churchie Research Centre. The programme emerged from a partnership with UQ’s Science of Learning Research Centre and continues to benefit from university partnerships locally and internationally, with results measured and proven through peerreviewed published research conducted at Churchie by Churchie’s research staff. Churchie is sharing research, strategies and resources of A Learner’s Toolkit for the benefit of students and teachers everywhere through a partnership programme with Australian and international schools.

Support and enrichment

Churchie recognises diverse learning needs within our student community. In the Prep School, a mixture of in-class support and external small-group support that is developmentally appropriate is available. Support for Senior School students is focused on finding learning support strategies or interventions within normal classes. Learning support services and a range of other academic support opportunities, such as Study Hub, are provided on a complimentary basis (no additional fees or levies) before or after school. For students seeking extension and enrichment opportunities, a variety of gifted and talented programmes are offered.

churchie.com.au/academic

Cocurricular Beyond the classroom

There is a wide and varied sports and activities programme in which boys can challenge and extend themselves.

As a member of the Great Public Schools’ Association of Queensland (GPS), Churchie takes part in the premier schoolboy sports and activities competition, providing myriad opportunities to pursue sporting or arts excellence in a professional setting or to simply grow physically and emotionally in a supportive team environment.

Sports include basketball, cricket, cross country, football, rowing, rugby, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball and water polo. Other activities offered include music, debating, chess, drama and media. Drama and theatre activities include students voice and speech tuition, theatresports, stage crew and an annual major stage production of a musical or play held in collaboration with a sister school.

We aim to foster growth and development in the life of every young man by providing a comprehensive range of opportunities and activities. In developing positive relationships with peers and staff, students can maximise their opportunities for improvement and achievement.

A notable hallmark of Churchie cocurricular is the breadth and depth of our programme, enjoying full support of students, allowing us to provide the maximum number of teams across sports and a thriving variety of ensembles and programmes in the arts, with further growth set to continue as students recognise the fundamental importance of cocurricular involvement as part of their educational journey and the making of men.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is open to boys from 12 years of age. This international programme operates in over 100 countries and is aimed at encouraging personal and social development.

Churchie also has a thriving Tri-Service Cadets (Army, Navy, Air Force) programme, with students from Churchie and surrounding schools.

Churchie has established clubs and societies to encourage the interests of students including Churchie Media, Stage Crew, Book Club, literary competitions, and science activities. Interhouse competitions and carnivals, combined with opportunities to participate in interstate and overseas tours, are available across our broad cocurricular programme.

Sport and activities overview

Term 1

Cricket, Rowing, Debating, Swimming, Volleyball

Term 2

Tennis, Football (soccer), Cross Country, Water Polo

Term 3

Rugby, Basketball, Chess

Term 4

Track and Field

Annual activities

Music, Tri-Service Cadets, Churchie Media, Duke of Ed, Stage Crew, Drama, The Conch Club, Theatresports, Strength and Conditioning, Playfest, Senior Musical/Play churchie.com.au/cocurricular

Care and growth

Resilient, accomplished and confident young men

Student care and growth at Churchie are supported by a network of pastoral care initiatives and expert staff.

Personal growth, a key tenet of the School, is fostered through a comprehensive range of opportunities to build well-balanced and resilient individuals. Growth occurs across structured programmes and is also embodied in every school activity—physical and leadership growth in sports and activities, teamwork and collaboration in curriculum learning, resilience and challenge in outdoor education, and self-awareness and social maturity in the service programme.

Student care takes many forms and is a shared core duty held in the highest regard by all Churchie staff. Students are supported by housemasters, heads of year, school psychologists, chaplains and the marshals. With consistent staff and peers across the years, a sense of belonging and identity is developed and strengthened as boys progress and grow.

The house system

Pastoral care at Churchie is centred around a wellestablished and valued house system, which creates a collection of multi-age communities within the School where expert, caring staff provide support and guidance.

Vibrant, friendly interhouse competitions and activities also feature across the year to facilitate friendships, team bonds and camaraderie. Many Churchie Old Boys fondly retain their house identity and friendships long after graduation.

In the Prep School, students are allocated to one of four houses, with a formal pastoral care programme commencing from Year 3. Regular house meetings provide opportunities to meet boys across year levels, with older boys encouraged to be mentors and role models.

With consistent house staff and housemates across the years, a sense of belonging and identity is strengthened, further enhanced by interhouse activities across the year.

In the Senior School, there are nine day houses and two boarding houses, with each house having its own colours, emblem, history and precinct. A housemaster serves as a mentor and role model, providing consistent care for each student in the house from Year 7 to Year 12.

The housemaster is supported by tutor teachers who encourage and advise students on a daily basis, supporting the needs of each boy in their care. This ensures that each individual is known for who he is and what value he brings to the community. Additionally, Year 7 students have a special programme to help them transition into the Senior School, led by a dedicated team of form teachers and a head of year.

Wellbeing and belonging

At Churchie, everyone should feel like they belong, are safe and able to thrive. The wellbeing curriculum is a tailored programme designed to suit the needs of students, centred around:

• Wellbeing and personal growth

• Character and identity

• Personal development

• Health and relationships

In partnership with parents we strive to develop authentic, genuine and respectful young men.

Room to run and grow and learn...

Close to the city, wth river access, a north-easterly aspect, at least 40 acres.

These were the key criteria for a visionary decision by our school founders, almost 100 years ago, to purchase the current site of our campus in East Brisbane. Thanks to their foresight Churchie boys today enjoy the largest single boys school campus in the inner city, with academic and cocurricular facilities conveniently located side by side. A visit to our beautiful campus will reveal a place of serenity and purpose, where green spaces complement modern facilities in a heritage style, creating a place where boys can be active, focused and social, where every part of the School works towards achieving our mission ‘the making of men’.

Close to the city with river access, a north-easterly aspect, at least 40 acres.

ANGLICAN CHURCH GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Oaklands Parade, East Brisbane Queensland 4169 Australia +61 7 3896 2200 info@churchie.com.au

Visit our website to enrol, enquire or book a tour. www.churchie.com.au