Hebron Christian College, Auckland
Encyclopedia
Hebron Christian College is a non-denominational private Christian
school in Auckland, New Zealand. The school extends from New Entrant to Year 13 (Form 7). It performs well academically.
The pastor, Rob Wheeler, had visited Christian schools in the United States
earlier that decade, and wanted to set up a school with a similar perspective in New Zealand.
The school began with Claude Warner as principal, and 45 pupils. It was called the Christian Fellowship School, and was in the basement of Haddon Hall in Auckland City
. At that point, the school was using Accelerated Christian Education material, from the US. In 1980 this was discontinued due to the distinctly American nature of ACE's content. The school switched to New Zealand's traditional infant programme.
In 1981, a new site in Mt Albert was purchased from the Karitane Nursing Trust and the wards modified into classrooms. This is the school's present site. Francine Bennett had been acting principal for two terms when Bob Eastland was appointed Principal in 1982. His tenure proved short-lived however, as his resignation due to ill health was received toward the end of that year. Ms Bennett became the principal in 1983. Under her leadership the secondary school was started.
In 1985, Bev Norsworthy became principal. She reinstated the enrolment policy.
Economic crisis in the late 1980s meant that the school, now with a capacity for 220 students, was in financial trouble. The Mt Albert site was put up for sale as the school searched for larger premises, but eventually the decision was made to remain at that location. In 1990, the Institute in Basic Life Principles purchased the property and leased it back to the school at a low rate.
The same year the school became independent of the Auckland Christian Fellowship.
It is now operated by the Biblical Education Services Trust. Geoff Matthews was appointed Associate Principal in 1991 and replaced Mrs Norsworthy, who resigned to set up Laidlaw College, as principal at the start of 1993.
In February 1998, the school board's application for a roll increase to 320 students was granted.
The buildings were developed to accommodate this growth.
The school has also recently applied for integration with the state-funded education system. This application has been denied by the Minister of Education, who was Chris Carter
at the time.
In 2011 Allan Ross Randall, a former teacher at the school, was jailed for two years for sexual touching of eleven students between 2007 and 2011.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
school in Auckland, New Zealand. The school extends from New Entrant to Year 13 (Form 7). It performs well academically.
History
In 1977, the Auckland Christian Fellowship Church set up the school.The pastor, Rob Wheeler, had visited Christian schools in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
earlier that decade, and wanted to set up a school with a similar perspective in New Zealand.
The school began with Claude Warner as principal, and 45 pupils. It was called the Christian Fellowship School, and was in the basement of Haddon Hall in Auckland City
Auckland City
Auckland City was the city and local authority covering the Auckland isthmus and most of the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, in the North Island of New Zealand. On 1 November 2010 it was amalgamated into the wider Auckland Region under the authority of the new Auckland Council...
. At that point, the school was using Accelerated Christian Education material, from the US. In 1980 this was discontinued due to the distinctly American nature of ACE's content. The school switched to New Zealand's traditional infant programme.
In 1981, a new site in Mt Albert was purchased from the Karitane Nursing Trust and the wards modified into classrooms. This is the school's present site. Francine Bennett had been acting principal for two terms when Bob Eastland was appointed Principal in 1982. His tenure proved short-lived however, as his resignation due to ill health was received toward the end of that year. Ms Bennett became the principal in 1983. Under her leadership the secondary school was started.
In 1985, Bev Norsworthy became principal. She reinstated the enrolment policy.
Economic crisis in the late 1980s meant that the school, now with a capacity for 220 students, was in financial trouble. The Mt Albert site was put up for sale as the school searched for larger premises, but eventually the decision was made to remain at that location. In 1990, the Institute in Basic Life Principles purchased the property and leased it back to the school at a low rate.
The same year the school became independent of the Auckland Christian Fellowship.
It is now operated by the Biblical Education Services Trust. Geoff Matthews was appointed Associate Principal in 1991 and replaced Mrs Norsworthy, who resigned to set up Laidlaw College, as principal at the start of 1993.
In February 1998, the school board's application for a roll increase to 320 students was granted.
The buildings were developed to accommodate this growth.
The school has also recently applied for integration with the state-funded education system. This application has been denied by the Minister of Education, who was Chris Carter
Chris Carter (politician)
Christopher Joseph Carter was an independent Member of Parliament in New Zealand, and a former member of the New Zealand Labour Party until his expulsion. Carter was a senior Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand, serving lastly as Minister of Education, Minister...
at the time.
In 2011 Allan Ross Randall, a former teacher at the school, was jailed for two years for sexual touching of eleven students between 2007 and 2011.