History of Sunrise
HISTORY OF SUNRISE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
SUNRISE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Sunrise Christian School Incorporated (SCS) is an incorporated body under the governance, oversight and spiritual covering of the Adelaide Crusade Centre Incorporated, trading as Adelaide Christian Centre (ACC), also known as Sturt Street.
THE EARLY VISION
As a result of a vision of the senior pastor at the Adelaide Crusade Centre, Mr. Leo Harris, Sunrise Christian School commenced. Pastor Leo’s vision was endorsed by the Elders, and a School Steering Committee was established in 1977 to put plans in place for a Bible- based Christian School. Pastor Leo personally donated the first $20 to start the school project. In 1978 Sunrise Christian School was birthed at the Fullarton Campus.
THE BEGINNING OF SUNRISE
FULLARTON CAMPUS
Sunrise Christian School was founded in 1978 as a ministry of Adelaide Crusade Centre Inc (now Adelaide Christian Centre – Sturt Street) in its premises Sunrise House in Wattle Street, Fullarton. It commenced with 32 students and 2 teachers and the support of a number of enthusiastic pioneer parents and supporters. Sunrise Christian School grew in its reputation for excellence in Bible-based Christian education, particularly in the areas of character development, which led to healthy waiting lists and very positive academic outcomes.
PARADISE CAMPUS
In 1989, at the request of Paradise Assemblies of God Church, now Paradise Community Church, a new Campus was established on the property of the Church at Paradise. Paradise Assemblies of God (now Paradise Community Church) and Sunrise Christian School came to a point of agreement and started a school up on the Paradise Church land.
MORPHETT VALE CAMPUS
In 1994 at the request of the Shekinah Church, now Gateway Community Church, another Campus was established on the property of the Church at Morphett Vale. In 2003 Sunrise purchased the property it occupies at Morphett Vale to the mutual benefit of both organisations.
MARION CAMPUS
In 2002 Sunrise assumed responsibility for, and bought the property of Maranatha Christian School at Marion at the request of its School Board. This was the birth of its fourth campus. Since 2002 the numbers at the Campus have more than doubled. Not only did the purchase of the Campus swell the ranks of enrolments, administrative and teaching staff; it also introduced its own 8 – 12 programme replacing the existing ACE programme. The Marion Campus is the only Sunrise Campus to house a high school. It is a single stream high school modelled on the Sunrise credo of a family atmosphere that emphasises Godly character and assists each student to reach their potential.
NARACOORTE CAMPUS
The fifth campus of Sunrise was added early 2005 when, at the request of the School Board, it assumed responsibility for Naracoorte Christian School in the South East of South Australia which became its first rural campus with 51 students. Since the adoption of the Naracoorte Campus, Sunrise has nearly doubled its numbers and therefore has needed to develop further classrooms in a short space of time. It wasn’t long before the site was outgrown and the need to look for land was critical in order for future growth. In 2009 we were blessed to be able to secure a new block of land in the local community. This was welcomed with much excitment. Stage 1 of our buildings plans have now been completed and we are fully operational on our new site. Further developments will continue over time.
Over the years Sunrise Christian School has grown from one Campus of 32 students to 5 Campuses and over 1030 students.
Currently Sunrise Christian School has five Campuses – Fullarton Grade Rec - 7, Paradise Grade Rec - 7, Morphett Vale Grade ELC - 7, Marion Grade Rec – 12 and Naracoorte Grade Rec – 7.
ADDITIONAL SUNRISE SCHOOLS
Under the banner of Adelaide Christian Schools, in 2009 another site for a Sunrise school developed. Whyalla Christian School became Sunrise Christian School, Whyalla, and Ms. Jacqui Munro was appointed Principal to further develop a Sunrise culture in the school and community of Whyalla. Whyalla is an ELC - Grade 7 school and the current Principal is Mr. Benjamin Kowald. Please refer to the Whyalla School page under OTHER CAMPUSES for further information about this site.
In 2010, Adelaide Christian Schools opened its first International Sunrise school. Sunrise Bethel Christian School opened the doors of education to 90 students in the region of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. You will find further developments about this God breathed dream in our MISSIONS tab.