Christian schools hail 60 new berths
CHRISTIAN colleges were the big winners in the latest round of government-funded higher education places, with four institutions scoring 60 places for teaching courses.
CHRISTIAN colleges were the big winners in the latest round of government-funded higher education places, with four institutions scoring 60 places for teaching courses.
Avondale College in NSW, Tabor College campuses in Adelaide and Melbourne, and Christian Heritage College in Queensland all received commonwealth-supported places.
They will be used to expand existing teaching courses as well as set up new ones, which the colleges say will meet increasing demand for teachers at the growing number of Christian schools.
Christian Heritage College principal Brian Millis said he was pleased federal Education, Science and Training Minister Julie Bishop had "recognised the strong demand for our graduates and the demand from students for our courses".
Dr Millis said there was a growing demand for trained teachers for Christian primary and secondary schools, which was a rapidly growing sector as parents expressed preference for education with values.
Dr Millis said the government-supported places opened the door for the college to establish a new teacher education-school chaplaincy course.
Tabor College Victoria dean John Capper said the funding enabled the Ringwood school to set up a new graduate diploma of secondary education.
He said the college's entry requirements specified that students had to have been a Christian for at least 12 months and have a reference from a church minister.
Tabor College Adelaide acting principal Don Owers said theChristian basis that underlined teaching at the institution "provides a different frame of reference than the more secularunderstanding that prevails in government-funded universities".
Student Liberty Vennint, 20, said she chose the college because she wanted to attend a Christian institution.
"I am a Christian and decided this would be the best place to apply it for my future," she said. "And I have loved it."
Fellow student Magan Schaefer said he was attracted to the college by its caring and supportive environment.
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