Highview College - Our History

Highview College Our History

The Brigidine Convent at Maryborough was founded in January 1902 in a building called 'Clontarf', and in the same year, St Joseph's College opened in the Convent building with an enrolment of 3 students. Over the next 70 years, the student numbers varied from 3 to 120.

In 1972, Canon John Leaver, Anglican Rector of Christ the King Church, Maryborough, discussed the possibility of founding an ecumenical school with Father Peter Claridge of the Roman Catholic Church. After receiving support from the Bishop of Ballarat, the Superior of the Brigidine Congregation, and other Anglican and Protestant church leaders, a public meeting was called in Maryborough. By 1973, considerable support had been shown, and the Methodist and Church of Christ churches joined the Anglicans and Roman Catholics on the Interim Board.

The Christian Community College (Maryborough) opened its doors on the St Joseph's site in February 1974 with 126 students: the first completely ecumenical school in Australia.

In 1990, as a result of a review of marketing strategies, the trading name of 'Highview' was added to the College title.

In 1997, Highview College became a foundation member of the Victorian Ecumenical System of Schools and now receives Government funding through this group.

Philosophy

Highview Christian Community College was established in 1974 to provide a genuine and accessible choice of secondary education in Maryborough and District that aimed to develop all aspects of growth in each individual student, and each student's relationships with other people, with society, and the natural environment. A priority was for the school to typify a Christian community in action. Striving together, all members of the community would 'rise to God' and grow towards wholeness.

Crest and Motto

The design of the Highview Christian Community College crest was originally developed by Mr Graeme Bennett. The central section contains the key Christian symbols of the tree of life and the crossed `P' symbol is representative of Christ. The fine central line indicates the fountain of knowledge based in Christ. It suggests that education grows out of a Judeo/Christian view of the world which brings about reconciliation between people of all creeds and cultures. The background to these symbols contains the school colours of Red and Navy blue. Surrounding this central section is a circular shield representing the reconciling world. Originally, the shield section had a gap in it, indicating that our reconciliation is not yet complete - it is a process that will continue as different denominations grow together. The Highview crest now has a complete circle representing the goal of wholeness towards which we all strive.

The Highview College motto, 'Education Through Wholeness' encourages us to grow in harmony and co-operation with our brothers and sisters in Christ from all denominations, and in this spirit of Christian unity, to strive for and grow towards that perfection or wholeness for which we were created.

Maryborough – The Birthplace of Ecumenical Education

Highview College was established through a progressive and innovative foundation and became the very first school of its kind in the world. A new and important tradition was globally recognised.

It was 1973 when the Brigidine Sisters decided to close St Joseph’s after 71 years of uninterrupted education on the site of the Convent which was founded in 1903. Faced with the reality that young people of the Central Goldfields would no longer have the option of a Christian education, four Maryborough Churches responded emphatically. Inspired by Vatican II and Pope John Paul II, the leaders of Maryborough’s Catholic, Anglican and Uniting Churches together with the Church of Christ, combined their efforts to ensure that a Christian Education continued to be available for students in the region.

The collaboration of the four Churches, despite their differences in doctrine and traditions, was a progressive, brave and dedicated quest to ensure Maryborough had a school founded on Christian values and commitment. Today’s Highview College, originally the ‘Christian Community College’ (CCC) was the first Ecumenical School established anywhere in the world.

Highview College is a Christian Ecumenical College. Firstly this means, the Christian message is at the heart of the learning, values and principles we espouse and, secondly, that we promote Christian Unity and respect throughout our School.

In this way our ecumenical school is one where our Whole Living program not only highlights those things we have in common, but also celebrates that we each have distinct ways of practicing our faith.

Ecumenism recognises that people from different Christian faiths and traditions can work together towards greater unity while each preserves his or her traditional faith and practice. It does not seek to ignore these differences; but through understanding and mutual respect, we aim to live in harmony whilst respecting our differing beliefs.

We do not seek any change in practice and promote adherence by every church member to the laws, traditions and authority of his/her church while seeking that unity which was Christ’s prayer.

Our ecumenical philosophical approach to fellow Christians (GRACE - Growth, Respect Aspiration, Compassion and Excellence) is easily and appropriately applied to those from other religious backgrounds and so they are welcome here also (with the understanding that all students will learn in an environment based firmly on Christian values).

By being involved in ecumenism, we are able to celebrate our diversity whilst embracing our unity. As a consequence, we gain a new pride in ourselves within our own Christian beliefs and traditions whilst we all hold true to the Gospel.

Highview College embraces its Christian values at the heart of the School, forged through the profound foundational co-operation and wisdom of four Maryborough Churches.