Policies

Bible Studies

Classes in Bible Studies are compulsory for all. Since the school has a responsibility to provide for students a sound knowledge and understanding of the historic Christian faith, it is that general teaching of Christ which is presented when doctrine is taught. The school takes account of the denominational diversity in the student population. No deliberate attempt will be made to convert students to a particular denomination; it is also expected that attempts will not be made by those of various persuasions to draw students into their churches; the aim is to rather strengthen them in their faith and hopefully in their allegiance to the church in which they find fellowship.

Teaching of Creation Policy

At Hope Christian College, our framework for education is distinctively Christian. The fundamental belief that mankind is the unique creation of a personal God is assumed in the development of all educational programmes, in the conduct of counselling and discipline and in the whole educational task. United on these basic matters, we also recognize the differences that exist among Christians on the detailed interpretation of the creation account in Genesis, and to the extent to which biological evolution may be compatible with that account.

Within the Christian community, perhaps the most difficult disagreement is between those who regard evolution and creation as mutually exclusive on the one hand, and those who see ways of harmonizing evolution with creation at least to some extent on the other.

Sometimes the distinction between these two approaches may be verysubstantial, or it may be no more than a difference of emphasis regarding the degree to which the work of the six “days” of creation included works both of miracles and of providence. People’s understandings regarding the age of the earth is associated with this issue. Both approaches are respected at Hope, but neither approach will be adopted in a dogmatic fashion. Our aim in teaching is to be fair to both approaches while remaining faithful to God and His word.

We believe that the Living God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has revealed Himself both in the creation and in the Bible. As the general revelation in creation and the special revelation in Scripture have both been brought forth by the same God of truth, any seeming discrepancy between the Bible and any area of study can be due only to human error, either in method or interpretation of data, or in the interpretation of Scripture. The Bible is needed to provide true knowledge of God. The Bible is not written primarily as a scientific textbook. Because it is in all of its parts true and correct, it does provide a measure against which all human knowledge and wisdom may be tested. On the basis of this revelation we acknowledge God as the supreme creator of the universe and we affirm that mankind is unique among His creation, being made in His likeness.

Testing

Hope participates in the Naplan testing and throughout the term your child will be tested in most subjects. At the end of each semester all students at Hope Christian College in Years 5 to 12 sit formal exams. As we follow the New Australian National Curriculum, this is valuable to us, as educators in order to monitor your childs academic progress.


Other General Policies