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Welcome to Christian Schools Australia
CSA has 132 member schools educating over 65,000 students and employing nearly 10,000 staff at 168 locations across Australia. CSA is part of a global ACSI network of 24,000 schools educating in excess of 5.5 million students in over 108 countries world-wide.
The mission of a Christian school is the spiritual, educational, emotional, social and physical development of every child in a holistic way.
- Every student is made in the image of God. Therefore the unique needs of every child are the primary concern of a Christian school.
- The Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians emphasises the importance of supporting students’ social, emotional, spiritual and physical development. A Christian School education meets these important objectives.
- CSA/ACSI Australia Prospectus
Christian schools are communities of grace, belief and practice
- We are called to live as the people of God.
- The Christian life, is a life lived in communion with God and others. The development of students in a Christian school takes place in community.
- Christian schools are places of belonging, built on shared values and beliefs, and committed to mutual care and respect. They are communities in which Biblical faith, values and beliefs are formative for the school community and integrated into curriculum, practice and culture.
Christian school students learn to find their purpose in following Jesus’ example, using their gifts to serve others
- As a direct response to Jesus’ example of servant leadership, Christian schools have a strong culture of mission and service both at home and overseas.
- Christian schools educate students to be locally and globally active citizens, concerned about the welfare of others and about using their gifts to serve.
CSA member schools are closely aligned with parents and churches in their communities. They are one of the expressions of the body of Christ, serving parents by partnering with them in the education of the children
- Many CSA members were commenced by and remain affiliated with a local church, and draw their enrolments from church families. Others are associated with and supported by members from a number of churches in their local area.
- Most CSA schools also attract significant enrolments from families who, while not currently attending a Christian church, nonetheless deliberately choose the school because they desire for their children an education that is based upon Christian beliefs and values.
Everything CSA does is shaped by a purposeful commitment to a vision of Christ-centred education that honours God. The CSA movement consists of independent Christian schools – single and multi campus entities that are self-governing. Christian Schools Australia is structured as a company limited by guarantee and follows the principles of policy governance, with a small team of executive officers and support staff.
CSA is governed by a National Council, working with State Councils, each elected by the member schools. Together, these three elements – membership, elected councils and executive officers – work to preserve and enhance the ongoing vision of the movement. Each part contributes richly to the success of the movement in achieving long-held aims.
Christian Schools Australia (CSA) is a voluntary fellowship of autonomous Christian schools. The legal entity for CSA, Christian Schools Australia Limited, is a not-for-profit public company limited by guarantee which is established to be, and to continue as, a charity. The company is registered with the ACNC.
The overall governance of Christian Schools Australia Limited is by the National Council, which, as the Board of Directors, has responsibility to the member schools for achieving the purposes for which CSA was established.
National Council operates as a “policy governance” board. National Council approves the overall vision and objectives of the organisation from time to time, while operations and management are delegated to the CEO.
The CSA National Council consists of the Chair of each State Council, or a nominee, as well as other elected or appointed members.
CSA is progressing through the second generation of Christian schooling.
The first generation was characterised by a missional approach. Staff joined schools because of a sensed call to the Australian mission field. The first generation are best described as the Pioneer Generation. They often worked out of the back of churches, halls and demountable buildings. Staff often tithed back their salary and used old or donated resources. Over three decades, or more, these schools grew in size, capability and outcomes. What remained consistent over time, however, was a dedication to the original mission and vision of Christian schooling; to see young people trusting in Christ and becoming His disciples.
The second generation of Christian schooling is characterised by a significant retirement of leadership and staff. Schools are now defined by excellent facilities, stable enrolments and strong educational outcomes. Where a lack of resourcing and track record characterised the Pioneer Generation, retention of a Christian distinctive and a continued focus upon formation has now become central for the second generation. This new group of educators and leaders will have to be a generation of Explorers, taking the best of what has gone before and translating these truths and values for a new generation.
CSA has designed what we have called the CSA Architecture or Framework. This approach seeks to conceptualise the essential elements that make a Christian school distinct.
