Independent Perspective

Highlighting the diversity of Australian Independent schools through reflections from Independent school leaders on what makes their school distinctive.

Chris Harvey
Nyangatjatjara College, NT“We’re probably one of the poorest schools in the country... Independent schools don’t just service the big end of town.”

Debra Creed
Glenleighden School, QLD“One of the biggest misconceptions about Independent schools is the perception they are elitist and cater only for students with strong academic skills.”

Barry Finch
Port School, WA“Success is something our students have experienced very little of, but we believe that everyone is good at one thing at least. We work hard to identify this ‘one thing’, and nurture it into a success.”

Rainer Mayer
Playford College, SA"Misconceptions about Independent schools revolve around snobbery and privilege, yet my experience has been anything but... this is a school about choice, a relationship between home and school, and committed staff giving kids and families a hand up.”

Andy Callow
Belgrave Heights Christian School, Vic“Some believe that low-fee faith-based schools are insular and ineffective (below standard). The reality is very different!”

Phillip Heath
Barker College“We have 40 different faiths, and cultural community traditions that support those faiths, present here in our school.”

Andrew Manning
Marrara Christian College“What I love about Marrara is that it’s very family orientated. It’s a community that celebrates the diversity of families and wants to support families in the education of their kids.”

Bree Hills
Canberra Christian SchoolVIDEO
“If they’re in year three but they’re working at a year four maths level, then that’s where we’ll educate them and help them be stronger”