60 year anniversary
We have a story to tell
As we celebrate our 60 Year Anniversary we remember the past, celebrate the present and look forward to a bright future.
“With thankfulness to God, Who guided our hands and hearts, we may now look back with satisfaction to many days of hard work and steady progress. But today is not just the end of a period, it is to mark a new beginning that we have assembled here.”
1960 | Sealing the time capsule to be opened after 50 years
Past Present and Future
1960 | Calvin’s building site at 36 Maranoa Road, Kingston
Remembering the Past
Calvin was established with the philosophy that placed parents, rather than the Government or the Church, as primarily responsible for the type of education their children received. This clear vision led to the sacrificial giving and hard work of our founding families, many of whom literally built the school with their bare hands on weekends, holidays and in their spare time.
1968 | Year 6 students on Open Day
It was always the vision of the founders to offer a Christian education to all those in the community who desire it, and those others who value such an education.
For this reason Calvin’s heritage strongly reflects both the diversity visible today in the school community and the unity that is found in shared Christian belief.
Our founders could never have imagined it at the time but the opening of Calvin was the beginning of a movement that has gone on to establish more than eighty independent Christian schools across the country. This includes the other schools in the Christian Schools Tasmania family, Emmanuel Christian School, Channel Christian School and Northern Christian School.
2020 | Students learning together on the Primary Campus
Celebrating the Present
It is now 60 years since those first classes opened and we, as a school community, continue to acknowledge God’s imprint on our past. Today Calvin is a growing school with nearly 600 students enrolled across the Primary and Secondary Campuses. This has strategically positioned the school to be able to refurbish existing classrooms, create contemporary new play spaces and ensure the delivery of quality Christ centred education for our students and their families.
This has come as part of a renewed focus on the school's vision keeping it aligned with our founders’ vision for education. This vision is also in alignment with our mission to provide the highest quality Christ-centred education and is underpinned by Godly values, beliefs and behaviours. This in turn allows for transformational Christian growth of the school and the wider community.
2020 | Learning on the Secondary Campus
Looking Forward to a Bright Future
2021 | Future leaders and teachers of Calvin
Those founding school families knew that God was not going to stop at the point of having established the School. The idea of a ‘new beginning’ was and is something to be celebrated—it speaks of hope for our children and their futures. As we look forward we will continue to be faithful to the founding vision. This will not be without its challenges: the challenge to continue to maintain our distinctive Christian ethos in-spite of society's changing values. We also face the task of raising significant funds for the necessary addition of new facilities and the refurbishment of the old.
2022 and Beyond | The Calvin Gymnasium and Sports Precinct
We are reminded that our community has faced many challenges over the last 60 years. During that time God has been faithful in his provision for us and our school. We are also continuing to look forward with hope to the new beginning promised through Jesus, believing that He is interested in all aspects of our lives and has the power to transform us and our community.
In that sense, we continue proclaiming that there is ‘one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all’ — Ephesians 4:6.
A timeline of our History
1954
The Association for Christian Parent-Controlled Schools was formed on 23 July with fifty Founding members.
1960
On 19 November a Stone Laying Ceremony was organised. Cees Overeem sealed a fifty year time capsule to be embedded in the wall of the school.
1962
Calvin School opened its doors to 77 primary students in Kingston. Housed in a three classroom building, it was the first Christian parent-controlled school in Australia. OJ Hofman, Founding Principal, presided over the first assembly held on 30 January.
1963
The first school fair was organised by the Parents & Friends Committee. This first fair was the forerunner of our popular Oliebollen Festival!
1975
Calvin’s first Prep Class with Ali Stam
1976
Secondary classes commenced at Calvin Christian School with teacher Jack Kuilenburg.
1978
Elsa Betlehem (Wierenga) was the first past student appointed as a teacher at Calvin Christian School.
1980
A double stream of secondary classes was introduced at Calvin Christian School. OJ Hofman retires and was followed by Laurie Parkinson.
1981
The land for the site of the Calvin Primary Campus was purchased.
1983
Our new Primary Campus opened on its new site across Maranoa Road in Kingston.
1990
Senior Secondary classes began at Calvin Christian School.
1991
Graeme Young was appointed fourth Principal at Calvin Christian School.
1992
Rod Tedds became the fifth Principal at Calvin Christian School.
1996
The Multi Purpose Hall on the Calvin Primary Campus was opened on 13 November.
1998
Ric Peterson and Don Butler were appointed Principal at Calvin Christian School Secondary and Calvin Christian School Primary campuses respectively.
2004
The Library Resource Centre & Classroom Development at Calvin Secondary School were officially opened.
2006
Adrian Bosker commenced as Principal of Calvin Primary Campus.
2012
Calvin Primary and Secondary Schools became known as Calvin Christian School.
2012
Calvin Christian School celebrated its 50 Year Anniversary, including the opening of the time capsule.
2013
Iain Belot was appointed to the role of Principal at Calvin Christian School.
2020
Scott Ambrose appointed as Principal of Calvin Christian School.
2022
Calvin Christian School celebrates its 60 Year Anniversary