BalCC Annual Report 2023

Introduction

Schools which receive ongoing recurrent funding from the Australian and Victorian Governments are required to publish annual data, in a number of areas, to comply with relevant legislation. We have presented this data in a form which we trust will be easily read and understood by the College community, and which will provide the information required under law.

Ballarat Christian College is a nondenominational, co-educational College catering for approximately 330 students in 2023 in Years Prep to 12. The College is registered as an education provider by the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA). A broad, inclusive and comprehensive program is offered from Years Prep to 10, with VCE, VET and VCE-VM offered to (some) Year 10, and to all Year 11 and 12 students.

Students are encouraged and guided to reach their God-given potential by striving for excellence in all endeavours. The College seeks to help students grow in the wisdom of God and to walk in His ways after initially having a saving faith in Christ. We foster the development of positive and harmonious relationships with other people, the environment and with God.

The College offers programs in many areas including pastoral care, student leadership and co-curricular, as well as a balanced curriculum based on the Australian Curriculum. Additionally, a Christian education program called Christian Living is taught, whereby the knowledge and heart of the Christian faith is transmitted through structured lessons delivered by Christian teachers.

OUR VISION Every learner reaching their God-given potential

To provide each student Christian education that gives opportunities to develop gifts and talents to fulfil the will of God in his or her life.

Board Chairman’s Report

Randall Dreger

Board Chairman

As 2023 has ended and the new year has begun, I am reminded of the words of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, when he calls us collectively to be salt and light in the world. Ballarat Christian College is answering that calling. I, and all the Directors, are blessed to be involved in the wonderful work that the College is doing as the love of the Gospel is shared with students and families.

Board Changes

The Board was led throughout 2023 by Ross Coventry who resigned as Director and Chair at the end of the year. We would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his years of diligent service and leadership that he has given us. We would also like to welcome Richard Gent to the Boardroom whose appointment will be confirmed at the AGM's elections.

Enrolments

The Lord’s blessing has been upon us as our enrolments blossomed, finishing the year with 335 students, an increase of approximately 10% over the 2022 figure. Our growth is projected to continue in 2024 as we budget for a student body of 360 students. This growth creates other strategic challenges relating to staff and classrooms which are being addressed in the boardroom.

Capital Improvements

As we prepare for the possible requirement for a new building, our capital expenditure in 2023 was focussed on further improving the College grounds. We renovated S11&12 and the building at 115 Yarrowee St. An outdoor learning space was created and the pathways and roadways improved. We also acquired a container for the café and some portable staging.

Bus Service

Our bus service has proven to be a great success and has been expanded into a second route. This is making the College more accessible to prospective families and we believe contributing to our student growth.

Financial

Financially, we have had another consecutive year in the black with an operating profit around $60,000. The board would like to thank Ken and Simon for their diligence and financial management of the College.

Summary

Despite the financial turmoil that surrounded 2023, the College was profitable and experienced significant growth in student numbers. I am optimistic that 2024 will deliver similar results and thank God for His direction and hand of providence upon the College. I would like to thank the teachers and staff for their diligence and commitment, which leaves a positive impact upon our students and families. Salt and light.

Executive Leadership

Ken Nuridin Principal/CEO

Bianca Francica

Head of Primary

Scott McKenzie

Head of Secondary

Julie Gall Head of Teaching and Learning

Simon Edwards Business Manager

Ken Nuridin Principal/CEO

It is my pleasure to present my 2023 Annual Report for the College. The College commenced its new 2023-26 Strategic Plan at the commencement of this period, and I have referred to some elements of the Strategic Plan in my report where appropriate.

The College’s Mission

As a Christian school, Ballarat Christian College continued to seek to educate its students within a biblical framework, helping them to find God’s purpose for their lives as they undertake their formal years of schooling. To this end, the resources of the College are directed towards providing our students with the resources, environment, encouragement and opportunities to assist each student to find their identity and fulfillment in Christ, thus providing not only a formal education, but an education that is truly holistic.

The College’s Vision

The College affirms its primary goal to provide quality Christian education to families seeking a faith-based school and the growth in enrolments during 2023 points to the College’s increasing attractiveness as the school of choice for Christian families in Ballarat and surrounding areas. Our enrolment at Census in August was 332, an increase of 33 students compared to the 2022 Census figure. The 2023 census enrolment was made up of 175 secondary and 157 primary students. In my 2022 report I noted that the College had effectively lost the equivalent of one class in enrolment numbers, but it was pleasing to note that this was reversed in 2023 with a healthy rebound in the Primary section. Enrolments remained strong through to the end of 2023, with further growth predicted for the commencement of 2024.

To further strengthen enrolments and improve accessibility to the College, the dedicated bus service which commenced in 2022 was expanded to a second bus during 2023. The northern route bus services an approximate area from Miners Rest through to Alfredton, whilst the southern route services the Lucas through to Delacombe and Sebastopol vicinity.

As College enrolments grow, we were able to provide greater surety of options available to our senior students undertaking their VCE studies. This in turn has helped stabilise enrolments in the senior years and largely put an end to the exodus of students to undertake their VCE in other settings. I am also pleased to note that the Year 9 Micah 6:8 program was enhanced by the purchase of a café container, which has become Café 6:8, located just to the rear of the recently acquired 115 Yarrowee Street block. Under the leadership of Mrs Sarah Inglis, the café provided another avenue for Year 9 students to gain practical experience in the hospitality, barista and service areas. 2023 also witnessed substantial growth in the VET Applied Fashion course, with a total enrolment in excess of 20 students, including many from other Ballarat area schools. The highlight of the year for these students was the first ever Fashion Show held at the College in the re-named Kerry Hutton Centre, where student design and creativity was modelled before a very appreciative audience.

Every learner reaching their God-given potential

The College’s staff

New staff welcomed onto the teaching staff at the College in 2023 included Miss Nicole Burness (for Term 1 only), Mrs Sarah Rodwell and Mr Matthew Knights. We also welcomed Mrs Jo Hall, who was engaged to deliver the VET Applied Fashion course. Mr Haydn Croton, who commenced part-time near the end of 2022, stepped up to a full-time role leading the Student Wellbeing Team. Finally, and in response to the Board’s desire to better meet the College’s compliance obligations, we welcomed Mrs Danna Grills as the College’s first Compliance Officer. In 2023 the College also reverted to directly employing its own maintenance staff as we welcomed Mr Chris McInerney and Mr Scott Collins onto the College staff in this capacity.

The Executive staff of the College has remained unchanged since 2019 and was comprised of

• Mr Ken Nuridin, Principal

• Mr Simon Edwards, Business Manager

• Mrs Julie Gall, Head of Teaching and Learning

• Mrs Bianca Francica, Head of Primary

• Mr Scott McKenzie, Head of Secondary

We were saddened to learn of the passing of Mrs Trish Peart, our inaugural teacher of the VET Applied Fashion course, after a battle with cancer. The College was represented at Mrs Peart’s memorial service by the Business Manager, Mr Simon Edwards.

The College’s students

The College student leaders in 2023 were Nyadoar Moses and Matthew Golding. The captains held a regular weekly meeting with the Principal and acted as a conduit between the College leadership and student representatives serving on the Senate. I thank Nyadoar and Matthew for their leadership and service and contribution to the College.

Following over two years of discussion and consultation, the new-look College uniform was introduced in 2023 to a very positive response from students and the broader College community.

A significant change to the new uniform is the move away from distinct ‘summer’ and ‘winter’ designated uniforms, with the new uniform being grouped only into ‘academic wear’ or ‘active wear’ categories. Within each category of dress, students may choose from the various options according to whether they feel the need for warmer or cooler clothing. The old uniform will be phased out by the end of the 2026 school year.

The College engaged well-known youth motivational speaker Mr Eric Agyeman to speak to students during a Chapel service and at various Secondary groups. Mr Agyeman’s talks were well received by students and the College will invite him to return again in 2024 to speak to students and parents.

The College’s broader community

Building connections and strengthening ties with Ballarat churches has long been a priority of the College. To this end, the College was pleased to host a Ballarat Ministers’ Network meeting at the College for the second consecutive year. We value our partnership with local churches and seek to work together wherever possible to assist our students in their daily walk with Christ.

Vale Kerry Hutton

The College was saddened by the sudden passing of the inaugural Principal of the merged Primary and Secondary schools, Mr Kerry Hutton, in the closing days of 2022. Mr Hutton’s funeral service was held in Grafton, NSW in early January 2023 and was livestreamed at Rise Christian Church, Ballarat. To honour Mr Hutton’s legacy and contribution to the College a memorial service was held in August, attended by staff, students, parents and friends of the College. The service was held in the College’s Multi-Purpose Centre (MPC), one of the buildings erected during Mr Hutton’s term as Principal. In honour of Mr Hutton, the MPC was officially re-named the Kerry Hutton Centre. A plaque commemorating the re-naming, complete with new signage, was unveiled by Mr Hutton’s son, Michael, on behalf of the Hutton family.

Compliance Data

Senior Secondary Outcomes

Our class of 12 Year 12 students finished their studies with 100% of the VCE students achieving their Victorian Certificate of Education. The Median study score was 29.0.

Post-School Destinations

The following data supplied through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) indicates Year 12 students’ post-school destinations:

Tertiary Applications and Offers: - 7 students

University Offers:- 7 students

TAFE/VET Offers:- 1 student

Any Tertiary Offer:- nil

In Education and Training

Bachelor degree enrolled:- 3 students

Deferred:- 4 students

TAFE/VET (Cert IV+):- 1 student

TAFE/VET (Cert I-III):- 3 students

Not in Education and Training

Employed:- 1 student

Looking for work:- nil

Other data from Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) is outlined below:

School Programs

Number of VCE Units 3 & 4 with enrolments – 7 (with 5 Virtual Schools Victoria)

Number of VCE VET Certificates with enrolments – 1 internal: Certificate II in Building & Construction

Student Achievement

Percentage of satisfactory VCE completions

Percentage of satisfactory 2nd Year VET completions

Teacher Standards and Qualifications

All teachers are registered by the Victorian Institute of Teaching as either fully registered; provisionally registered, as in the case of ex-graduates; or as having Permission to Teach (PTT), in the case of teachers in the process of finalising teaching qualifications.

Teachers at the College possess the following qualifications:

The workforce of Ballarat Christian College consists of the following.

Student Attendance

The College’s Student Attendance Policy and Procedures are to facilitate follow up of student issues relating to excessive lateness and absenteeism, through close monitoring of attendance data, direct contact with students, follow up letters to parents and interviews with students and parents. This role has been assumed by the Heads of School, along with homeroom teachers.

Administration staff follow up absentees daily where unexplained, and at least twice per week regarding written confirmation or medical certificates.

Parent, Student & Teacher Satisfaction with the School

The College uses the ACARA School Satisfaction Survey material for ascertaining feedback. This was conducted in the first term of 2023 to reflect student, staff and parent satisfaction with the College during 2022. This survey was widely distributed to College staff and parents, and selectively to a group of students. The results continue to be analysed and discussed by staff, the Executive Leadership Team, and shared with members of the College Board.

Parent Satisfaction Survey Results

Student Satisfaction Survey Results

Staff Satisfaction Survey Results

Every learner reaching their God-given potential

Student Outcomes from NAPLAN 2023

These results, along with other qualitative and quantitative data, will be used to inform improvement in teaching and learning, as outlined below.

A consistent, established testing regime, triangulation of data, detailed analysis of the data at a management level, quality feedback to staff and ongoing professional development regarding data analysis and strategies for change, have been the key features of the College focus on maintaining, supporting and tracking student gain.

Ongoing detailed records of student academic ability, wellbeing and demographics have supported and assisted to track student progress based on individual need.

Finance Report

The 2023 school year saw the College build student enrolments by approximately 10% above our 2022 results. This was a major driver behind the turnaround from deficit to surplus in the year-on-year comparisons. The additional revenue generated also enabled the College to move forward on property developments and commence planning & provisions for future improvements and additions to the campus facilities.

The key financial markers for the year are: (i) an increase in enrolments, (ii) further reduction of debtors, (iii) a continued focus on resourcing of staff and student programs, and (iv) preparations for future developments, growth, and improvement across the College.

The College's operating surplus was $61,186 [2022 - $ 95,593 deficit]. The consolidated surplus for the year ending 31 December 2023, including capital donations, was $63,786 [2022 - $ 414,007].

The Board acknowledges the funding grants received from both federal and state governments and recognises its responsibility to act as a steward of the resources which God provides to the College.

Total Income -2023

Total Expenditure -2023

Please Note: There is a complete set of audited financial statements available to members on request from the Business Manager.