Established in 1985 with a vision for Christian education open to all
1985 - The beginning
After a year of prayer and investigation of possibilities, Circular Head Christian School began in premises owned by the local Reformed Church on the outskirts of Smithton in 1985 offering K to grade 6 education with 25 pupils.
1990 - New campus
Steady growth soon resulted in this location, even with the addition of two demountable classrooms, being too small, so in 1990, after being given a generous donation of land, the school moved to its present campus in Grant Street, a three hectare site closer to the town centre and local bus services.
1992 - Commenced High school
In 1992, the school commenced Grade 7 with a plan to flow through to Grade 10 over the next three years. This decision was a real step of faith because the relatively small numbers per grade level meant that we did not qualify for Commonwealth Government funding.
1996-1998 - New buildings
In 1996, the schools were merged to form a single entity K - 10 school. About this time the campus was expanded to approximately four hectares with the addition of new sports grounds. In 1997 a major building program was undertaken to establish a new library complex, toilets and showers for the gymnasium, a bigger staff room and extra administration offices. Then in late 1998 another building program was completed; refurbishing the technology block including a new "design in wood" workshop together with further development of the administration block.
2001 - Expansion of the campus
During 2001, 4 hectares of land adjacent to the campus was purchased to give a separate horticulture teaching area and environmental study area which also enabled a new entrance into the school campus from Nelson Street. Also a new prep classroom was added.
2003 - Established grade 11/12 and more building
Late in 2002 it was necessary to build another three classrooms and common room due to continued enrolment growth and extensions to Grade 11 in 2003, and Grade 12 in 2004. The 2003/2004 summer break also allowed the school to renovate and extend its facilities. The science/cooking rooms were extended and upgraded to allow for increasing class sizes, and to stay up to date with current teaching equipment. A transportable building was purchased to allow offices for staff, a new textiles room, and a temporary drama room.
2004-2005 - Campus improvements
In 2004 and 2005 canopies were built over the junior & middle play/courtyards which allowed undercover play areas in all types of weather. The science room was also refurbished during this time. 2005 saw the extension of the gymnasium to include a permanent stage, a foyer and music room which made the venue much more suitable to whole school gatherings for assemblies and celebration evenings.
2006 - Established Middle school
After research and planning, the school commenced a Middle School section for Grades 6-8 in 2006 and then embarked on more building expansions. The administration block and staff room were extended to almost twice the size as well as building a new prep room, junior art room & enlarging the junior extended learning areas. The horticulture building was also upgraded to classroom standard. Separate playground equipment and areas were provided for Kinder, Junior & Middle school as well as a major refurbishment of the Junior school. In 2008 a separate building for grade 11/12 was constructed giving individual study areas for students, two teaching areas and a common room/kitchen area.
2007 - Annual outreach trips to Fiji commence
In 2007 a small group of staff and students made the first ever outreach trip to Fiji spending time in the Suva/Nausori area and Nadi. Over the next years we formed a relationship with Nakelo District School in Nausori and eventually this resulted in a ceremony in 2012 where we became sister schools. A group of staff from Nakelo visited CHCS in December 2014.
2011 - Major government assistance for schools
During 2009, as part of the Building the Education Revolution (BER) and Trade Centres in schools program, approval was gained to build a multi-purpose hall, a science centre, a Trade Centre, to re-locate the library to the current gymnasium and to refurbish the old library space into an expanded area for grade 11/12. This also allowed for a new entrance and one way road system to be created off Nelson Street. All these buildings were in full use at the beginning of 2011. This was the most significant building program in the history of the school effectively doubling its assets.
2012 - Formation of Edutec Tasmania and first NBN school in Australia
In 2012 the school commenced its own IT business called Edutec Tasmania with the aim of providing a revenue stream for the school and to support full time technicians to support the school’s IT needs. When the NBN was rolled out in Smithton, CHCS became the first school in Australia to be connected. A national commercial was filmed here in Term 1 to promote the NBN. It made a significant difference to the way technology could be used in the school.
2014 - Roaring Forties Aquaculture
Late in 2014 the school purchased a 4 hectare oyster lease in Montagu Bay and set about building a business called Roaring Forties Aquaculture in 2015 with one teacher and a school based trainee. This grew to 3 trainees in 2016 and is designed to provide a genuine workplace experience for students who are training in Aquaculture.
2015 - Breakfast Club
After a submission presented by a staff member in late 2014, the school trialed a before school breakfast program that was very successful. Staffed by volunteers it provides free of charge toast, muesli bars and fruit with the occasional special ‘Pop-up Pancake’ days, Milo Mondays and Cheesy Tuesdays during the colder months.
2016 - New buildings
A Hospitality and Design Technology building was constructed adjacent to the Trade Centre. Woodwork and Cooking lessons moved there and the old Woodwork room became an expanded Art room. The old Cooking room became a new school canteen which was a service we had been wanting to provide for many years. The canteen promotes healthy food for our students and staff.
2017 - College restructure and administration upgrade
This year began with a major restructure of the High School section. A College for years 10-12 was introduced in order to make a more specific pathway for students to follow in their final 3 years of schooling. Students in the college all study a mix of academic subjects and vocational (VET) subjects. Grade 9 became the final year of Middle school with a program designed to prepare them for College. The administration block was also renovated and enlarged.
