Beaconhills College is a co-educational, ecumenical, independent school providing education from early learning to prep to year 12. The college has 2 campuses: One located in Pakenham and one located in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, each campus with a co-located Little Beacons Learning Centre.
Beaconhills was established in 1982 by the Anglican and Uniting Churches to serve the education needs of the Christian community in the greater Pakenham area. The college celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2012.
College history
Inception
The idea to establish a local, independent, Christian school was conceived by a group of parishioners at St. John's Anglican Church in Upper Beaconsfield in 1980. By March 1981 a steering committee had been established with John McConchie appointed as chairperson. The steering committee called a public meeting at the Pakenham Hall on 11 March 1981 where the proposal to establish an ecumenical, co-educational, low-fee secondary school was ratified in the presence of some 250 people.
In 1981, as the steering committee continued to hold public meetings seeking support for the new school, a site on Toomuc Valley Road, Pakenham was purchased and portable classrooms obtained from St. Catherine's School in Toorak, and Frank Millett was appointed as founding principal. On 3 February 1982 Beaconhills Christian College opened with 34 students and five staff. A dedication service was held at St. James Church on 28 March 1982. Frank Millet led the college as principal until 1988, by which time the college community had grown to include 388 students and a teaching staff of 30. John McConchie, having led the steering committee, was chairperson of the board until 1986.
Campus Differences
Beaconhills College Pakenham campus is a luxurious school, with lavish playgrounds, lots of ovals and grass, and a great overall environment.
Beaconhills College Berwick Campus has a lot of concrete and a very cool performing arts centre called the 'Tony Sheumack Centre'.
SEISA
Beaconhills is an associate member of the Association of Coeducational Schools (ACS). Beaconhills hosted the Seisa Dance competition in 2023, in which Beaconhills Pakenham’s Novice Dancers got 2/3 shoutouts by professional dancers, due to their incredibly performed 2000’s hits remix dance. There’s also soccer, softball, basketball, netball, hockey, and other sports involved in seisa, as well as theatre sports, public speaking, debating.
Notable former students
Tom Bugg – AFL Footballer
Matthew Buntine – AFL Footballer
Callum Porter – AFL Footballer
Pippa Black – Actress
Co-curricular clubs
Cadets
Sparks
Taiko drumming club
Rainbow Club
Performing Arts
Wind Orchestra
Strings Group
Guitar Ensemble
Choir
Production
Rock band
Piano Ensemble
Concert Band
SEISA Sport Clubs
Tennis
Equestrian
Past Productions
VCE Subjects Offered
Notable Teacher Quotes
"There's always room for one more" – Mr Hockey
Trivial
At one point, the toilets flooded in the Year 12 centre, leading to many staff having to evacuate their offices in fear of sewerage water. A new building of a year 8 building had to be stopped since the building company went bankrupt, leaving a half built building for over 6 months. Commonly mistaken for the CW Hit Show ‘Teen Wolf’ setting, Beacon Hills. Not allowed hot drinks from the canteen 98% of the time.
See also
List of schools in Victoria
List of high schools in Victoria
Victorian Certificate of Education
References
External links
Beaconhills College website
Private secondary schools in Victoria (state) Gippsland Independent Schools Educational institutions established in 1982 Anglican schools in Victoria (state) 1982 establishments in Australia Buildings and structures in the City of Casey Buildings and structures in the Shire of Cardinia