Enjoy this trip down memory lane as we journey through the last four decades of NBCS- the memories and the milestones.
Much has changed over the last 40 years, but much remains. The vision to build an exceptional Christian school 40 years ago, rings true today in our Mission: Excellence in Education, Christianity in Action.
NBCS was established in Mona Vale in 1981, by a group of parents who attended the Northern Beaches Christian Centre church.
Their vision to build an exceptional Christian school in the Northern Beaches area, was made a reality through the sacrifice, dedication and generosity of many parents and friends.
NBCS is a school known fondly known by many names over the years: “the pioneering school”, “Northern Beaches movable school”, “God’s school”, “the bush school” and “the miraculous school”. Although they reflect the different seasons the school has lived through, it remained true to its original mission of providing a quality education within a safe and nurturing Christian community. Its current Mission Excellence in Education, Christianity in Action aptly articulates this steadfast commitment.
The simple prayer of a small group of devoted parents from local church Northern Beaches Christian Centre, was the humble seed that would bear much fruit in years to come. Building a school was indeed a big dream- at times it would feel impossible however, through unwavering vision, grit, unity and perseverance, they would turn the dream into a reality. As Founder and first Principal Pastor Paul O’Sullivan reflected:
“It was 9.30pm on a Monday night in October 1980 and about a dozen guys from the church had just finished their fortnightly get together. We would gather and talk about our lives and have a bit of prayer before we went home. At the end of the prayer time I sensed there were no more prayers going to be said so I looked up and said ‘let’s go home’, when Bruce (Meek) spoke up: ‘What about the Christian School?’
This had been mooted before but we had only ever got to the talking stage. I felt it was too late in the evening to start another talk fest on the subject so I tried to close the subject down. I said that we needed three things to happen before we picked the topic up again, and they were 1) a teacher in the church. 2) A curriculum for a small school and 3) a place to have a school. We agreed to meet again in two weeks.”
When the men’s group met again two weeks following that fateful October prayer meeting, much work had been done. They had found a teacher by the name of Mr David Miles, who had recently joined the church with his wife and young family. Mr Miles had been teaching at Wahroonga Christian Academy and shared the same vision for learning.
40 years later the school still stands at the current site of 1 Echunga Road, Terrey Hills, (its home since 1986), continuing to build upon the foundations of its faithful founders.