The Australian Association of Christian Schools (AACS) represents over 90 schools in every state and territory across the country. The AACS consists of three group members: Christian Education National, St Philips Christian Education and Pacific Hills Group along with a number of individual member schools. AACS is lead by our Executive Officer, Vanessa Cheng who has served the association for over five years and is governed by a Board of Directors who are elected by the group members. See our Membership Brochure HERE. Interested schools are welcome to enquire about membership options at: enquiries@aacs.net.au
Click on the links below to see our group and individual member schools:
The Australian Association of Christian Schools (AACS) is the longest running Christian school association and the only peak body which represents Christian schools in every state and territory of the country. Over the past sixty years, there has been a rapid increase in the number of schools operating under the name "Christian schools" which were established by groups of parents who wanted their children to have access to quality, affordable Christian education delivered by Christian teachers and staff.
With the growth of such schools early on, it was important to establish an advocacy body that could interact between government and schools. The possibility of a national association of Christian schools was first discussed in 1985 between Tony Deenick of Christian Parent-Controlled Schools (CPCS), Bob Frisken and Pam Harvey of Christian Community Schools (CCS) . In 1988 the first meeting of the AACS Council was held and in 1989, an Executive Officer was appointed and a National Office was established in Canberra. Individual Christian schools and other national groups of Christian schools were also invited to join. Following development of the Association's Constitution in 1990, AACS became an incorporated body, registered in the ACT and governed by a duly appointed and elected Council. Today, the Christian school movement is one of the fastest growing groups of schools within the independent sector.
Read the first AACS newsletter "Tidings'
AACS is registered as a charitable public company limited by guarantee and is governed by the AACS Board of Directors who are appointed by the group members. The association employs a full time Executive Officer and a part-time Communications and Administration Officer.
Benefits of AACS membership include:
Advocacy
All member schools must affirm and adopt, and agree to observe, the following Statement of Faith (excerpt from the AACS Constitution):
We affirm that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are God’s infallible and inerrant revelation to man. It is thus the supreme standard by which all things are to be judged, and the authoritative guide for all life and conduct.
We affirm that Jesus Christ is from eternity God’s only begotten Son; He was born of a virgin and is therefore truly God and man. Through Him God created and sustains the world. Jesus suffered and died for our sins and rose again for our salvation. He ascended into heaven where He now sits on the right hand of the Father making intercession for His people. Christ is the Head of the Church and will come again to judge the world and complete the salvation of His people and the Kingdom of God.
We affirm that a Christian school is a school where Christ is confessed as the Lord of creation. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, its special task is to teach the children to understand the world from a Christ-centred perspective and to equip them for their calling in life in subjection to Jesus Christ as Lord.
We affirm that all citizens owe obedience to the legally instituted governments of our nation which derive their authority from God and are responsible to Him for promoting and maintaining public security, justice and welfare. We affirm that the responsibility for the education and guidance of children lies in the first instance with their parents or legal guardians, and that governments are duty bound to provide, without distinction and on general terms of equality, both the legal right and the opportunity for parents and guardians to choose for their children schools other than those established by public authorities that provide for the education of their children in conformity with their own convictions.
AACS is registered as a charitable public company limited by guarantee. Under the Constitution AACS is managed by a Board and meets at least four times a year. The Executive is responsible for the oversight of policy implementation and the administrative arrangements for the Association.
Christian Education National
160 Macquarie Road, Springwood, NSW, 2777
Postal Address: PO Box 60, Baxter VIC 3911
Copyright © 2020 Authorised by Vanessa Cheng, Australian Association of Christian Schools. All Rights Reserved.
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