Arden Anglican School

Began as a preparatory school of the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney (PLC Sydney).[1] The idea of a PLC Sydney preparatory school on the northern railway line, had first been suggested c. 1915, however nothing came of these ideas then. On 23 February 1922, the PLC Council received a request from the Beecroft Presbyterian Congregation, that a primary school be established at Cheltenham. Subsequently, a sub-committee of the Council was formed to investigate its viability, and inspect a number of sites in Beecroft and Pennant Hills.[8] Arden has been recently recognised as a leading sports school in the Hillzone sports for 2012.

Council gave the committee power to open a preparatory school in the Beecroft Church Hall, to appoint a teacher-in-charge and to make any other arrangements necessary. By the April 1922 Council meeting, it was reported that the school had been opened at Beecroft with 13 female pupils, and with Eleanor Linck in charge. This school was named the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Beecroft and was to serve as an all-girls, primary feeder school for the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Croydon.[8]

Over the next few years enrolments grew and an assistant teacher was appointed. However, PLC Beecroft was not a financial success and Council enthusiasm began to wane. Linck tried her best to expand the school, suggesting that "Romana House" on Beecroft Road be purchased to allow for further enrolments, and that the house next door to the Church Hall be purchased so that boarders could be accommodated. Despite the school's strong number of enrolment application's, these requests were all declined.[8]

In 1925, an additional teacher was appointed to teach kindergarten and sport. It was reported that the local community was taking an interest in the new PLC, as that year two prizes had been presented to the school by the Beecroft School of Arts for library proficiency, and the Beecroft Presbyterian Women's Guild presented a prize for Scripture.[8] In 1926, Mrs Linck resigned to take up a position at the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Melbourne, and Mrs Lucy I. Ritter was appointed head. Later that year, two council members suggested that a house be purchased to expand the school and widen its tuition scope, however again nothing came of this. Council now appeared to be uninterested in the Beecroft school.[8]

Ritter, in the Assembly report for 1927, complained that "Beecroft deserves more support from Presbyterians on the Hornsby line." The school continued to make losses and so on 19 June 1929, Council decided that it was to be closed. Ritter, and the assistant teacher Ms Gurney, resigned in December of that year.[8] In 1930, Gurney reopened the school in the Church Hall, which she named "Arden" after the Shakespearean Forest of Peace in As You Like It.[9] The school flourished under her leadership.[8]

Arden came under the control of the Anglican Diocesan Schools in 1946, and subsequently moved to St John's Beecroft Church Hall where it was named Arden Anglican College. The college moved again in 1952 to a house in Wongala Crescent, and in 1962, property was purchased on Beecroft Road.[9]

In 2000, due to demand from the local community, preliminary plans for a secondary school at Arden began. The school purchased the former site of the Australian American International School at Oxford Street, Epping in 2001, and in 2003, the first year 7 class commenced at the new senior campus. Yearly expansion has continued since then, and concluded with the first Year 12 class graduating in 2008.[9] 2008 also saw the opening of the Senior Studies Centre. Located directly opposite the secondary campus, it facilitates learning for year 11 and 12 (Preliminary and HSC) students in a "corporate-style" environment. In 2017, Arden announced a planned $21 million redevelopment of its Epping campus.[10] In 2018, the Principal Graham Anderson signed a petition with the Anglican Diocese of Sydney to retain s 38(3) in the Sex Discrimination Act 1984(Cth) which allows private religious schools to discriminate against staff and students based on sexual orientation :(.[11] In the petition it was argued that 'a more general right' to religious freedom should exist, and the existing statutory 'exemptions should remain'.[11]

In 2017, Arden announced a $21 million redevelopment of its Secondary Campus in Epping, to be finished in early 2020, in what would become known as 'Essex'. The new building accommodates:

• New Administration
• Student Services
• New Science Laboratories
• New Food Technology Kitchen
• Hammond Resource Centre (Library)
• Multiple TAS Workshops
• Multiple General Classrooms
• The Arden Creative Arts Centre (TACAC)
• Rooftop Terrace
• Underground car/motorcycle/bicycle parking space
• Twin outdoor multi-sport courts
• Two levels connect with the existing building, refurbished

The motto of Arden is 'In God My Joy'. The school encourages the students to show others the joy to be found by learning to put Jesus first in your life, to then consider the needs of others, as well as reflecting on developing yourself with God's guidance. It stresses upon putting Jesus first, others second, yourself third; and to wrestle at all times with Jesus' fabulous parable of the Good Samaritan: to love your neighbour as yourself; to care for "The Other"; to be inclusive of the broken, because we are beloved by God.

Arden Anglican School is governed by the council. The Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney elects 10 persons for the council, along with the other persons appointed by the Archbishop.

The role of the council is to serve the Arden community by ensuring long term planning is undertaken, appropriate policies are implemented and that finances are managed in a prudent manner. The council also appoints the Principal. The day-to-day operations of the School are managed by the Principal in which they also report to the council. Council meet on the first Wednesday of each month during term time and there are three committees of the council:

• Finance
• Governance
• Property Development and Planning

Arden Anglican College is located on two campuses in the north-western suburbs of Sydney. The pre-school and primary School are situated in a bushland setting in Beecroft near Beecroft railway station on Wongala Crescent, while the secondary school is located 200 metres (660 ft) from Epping railway station, in the suburb of Epping.[12]

The primary school follows a curriculum mandated by the NSW Board of Studies, and where required is tailored to meet the needs of individual students. Specialist teachers are used for subjects such as Physical Education (PE), Music, Art, French language, Science, Library, Computer and Problem Solving.[13]

The secondary school also follows the Board of Studies curriculum. In 2008, the first year 12 class completed the NSW Higher School Certificate.[14]

• List of non-government schools in New South Wales

• Arden Anglican School website