Where we've come from

Our Rich Heritage

As early as 1954, a Christian School Association was formed in Wollongong by members of the Dutch Reformed Church and a Christian School Fund was established.
Our Story

1979

A group of interested community members in the northern suburbs of Wollongong formed the Illawarra Association for Christian Parent Controlled Education (IACPCE) to work towards the opening of a school in the area.

1982

The Illawarra Christian School opened in the hall of the Woonona Presbyterian Church with one teacher and 10 children.

1985

The Board took a step of faith and purchased the Cordeaux site. The Chairman’s Report of 1985 comments that one of the great strengths of the school community is “our unity of purpose, to educate our children in the knowledge of and obedience to the Word of God ... we have a very diverse community, with people from all walks of life, numerous denominational backgrounds and yet a very real unity in Christ.”

Mr Alan Kendal was appointed the first principal of Illawarra Christian School.

1987

Illawarra Christian School moved from Woonona to Cordeaux Heights and the first Year 7 class commenced. The school had grown to 184 students with eight teachers.

1988

Mr Geoff Hewitt became the second Principal of Illawarra Christian School. Student numbers had increased to 263 with a single stream of classes from Kindergarten to Year 8.

1992

The first Year 12 students graduated. The school served over 300 children from Kindergarten to Year 12.

1994

Tongarra Christian School amalgamated with Illawarra Christian School to form one Association with two campuses.

2008

Mr Simon Lainson was appointed third Principal of Illawarra Christian School Cordeaux Campus.

Illawarra Christian School commenced its first Prep class.

2012

Illawarra Christian School celebrated 30 years of providing Christian education in the Illawarra through various community activities, including a large combined celebration at WIN Entertainment Centre.

2017

The Illawarra Association for Christian Parent-Controlled Education rebranded as Illawarra Christian Education, operating two separate schools, Illawarra Christian School (formerly Illawarra Christian School, Cordeaux Campus) and Calderwood Christian School (formerly Illawarra Christian School, Tongarra Campus)

2020

Illawarra Christian School commenced triple streaming in Year 7 and had over 650 students from Prep-12 and 90 staff.

View our Multi functional Classroom Block
“What a delight to work with such committed and expert educators! Illawarra Christian School is a hidden gem - a school surrounded by amazing natural landscape and a Christian community that embraces you with gospel truth and a deep hope that we may become fully alive in God's story.”
Mrs Melinda Sharpe, our Deputy Principal

We're known and trusted by

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