History of William Clarke College
Work began in 1985 when a group of people from local churches became aware of the need to establish an independent co-educational secondary school in the developing north-western suburbs of Sydney. The aim of the school was to give an education that was academically strong, well rounded and one that would provide young people with a high quality education in a clearly Christian context at an affordable cost for as many as possible. The first Year 12 class graduated in 1992.
Kellyville was chosen as a strategic location, being easily accessible from the established suburbs of the north and west, but also close to the expanding northwest development area.
William Clarke College was constituted by Ordinance of the Anglican Church in October 1987 as "a school in the Hills Region to provide an education which in its content and environment allows for full individual development in the spiritual, academic, physical and social domains based on a clear biblical perspective in accordance with the doctrines and principles of the Anglican Church of Australia in the Diocese of Sydney". One hundred and thirteen students in Years 7 and 8 began lessons on 2 February 1988 using temporary accommodation in St Stephen’s Anglican Church, Kellyville. In order for the College to commence a number of pioneering families second mortgaged their homes to allow the College to have sufficient finances to begin. Building began in mid 1988 and the College used four demountables donated by The King’s School. William Clarke College has continued to develop extensive buildings and teaching and learning facilities that are remarkable in a school of its age.
In 2002 Mr Philip Bryson retired and College Council appointed a new Head, Mr David Raphael who began his service in Term 2, 2002.
During 2003 College Council embarked upon a refurbishment and upgrading of teaching and learning facilities including a new commercial kitchen and Food Technology laboratory, photography darkroom, additional Science laboratory and Art room, Technology and Applied Science (TAS) computer room, more shade and shelter for students, a new canteen and improved staff facilities.
Sporting facilities have also improved with a new netball / basketball / tennis complex and an adjacent set of cricket nets for practice. More land close to the College was purchased to allow for future development of the oval, an outdoor sporting complex, a gymnasium and more play space.
In 2005 College Council took the strategic and indeed courageous decision to leave behind the original secondary College vision and embrace a broader philosophy of education. In 2007 the College introduced Junior School (Kindergarten to Year 4), Middle School (Years 5 to 8) and Senior School (Years 9 to 12). The main reasons for doing so were:
- To develop an excellent foundation of literacy and numeracy in the formative K-4 years
- To provide a more practical and engaging educational experience in the challenging adolescent years in Middle School
- To challenge younger students to consider Christ prior to high school
- To meet the demand of young families in the surrounding district who wanted a quality Christian education
In 2007 the Junior and Middle schools of the College began with 2-stream classes of Kindergarten, Year 3 and Year 5. In 2008, Year 5 was expanded to 3-streams and in 2009 Kindergarten was also expanded to 3-streams. This reflected the recognition of local families for the quality and affordability of the Christian education which we offer.
The reputation and facilities of the College today are a testimony to the original vision of the Council and the unstinting drive and determination of the Founding Head, Mr Philip Bryson who largely brought the vision into reality with the assistance of a dedicated staff and in partnership with the pioneering parents in the early and formative years of the College.
For more detailed information regarding the history of William Branwhite Clarke, please refer to the "William Branwhite Clarke – A Short Biography" link below.
