History of The Riverina Anglican College

FOUNDATION
The Riverina Anglican College commenced in January 1999 with an intake of twenty five Year 7 students. There was a part time staff of three supporting the full time Principal.

The College developed as part of the New Schools policy of the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn. An Organising Committee for an Anglican School in Wagga had been in operation since the early 1990s under the leadership of the Rector at St John’s Wagga, Canon Stephen Williams. The Committee had been losing impetus by the mid 1990s due to the size of the task. A public meeting in April 1998 rekindled efforts. The Bishop of the Diocese, Bp. George Browning, spoke to an enthusiastic crowd of over a hundred and twenty and the Organising Committee, now under the Chairmanship of Mr. Neil Stubbs took new heart. Many on the Organising Committee were members of the St John’s Parish. The assistance of Mr John Lambert, retired Head of the NSW Board of Studies and Consultant to Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation, was sought and he gave valuable assistance in the early stages. A Riverina Anglican College Ordnance was passed through Synod and the Committee, in a step of faith, advertised for a College Principal.

Dr Ian Grant secured the position of Foundation Principal and arrived in Wagga with his wife, Michelle and family in August 1998 to commence work on enrolments and curriculum. An Education Sub Committee of the newly titled Board of the College was formed under the leadership of Mrs Lorna Ireland. Much valuable work had been completed on the educational programs for the College in the months before Dr Grant’s arrival. At the same time the Board sub committee on Building and Works under the leadership of Mr Peter Davies had located a suitable block of land on Farrer Road Wagga. The fourteen hectare block was purchased and the architectural company Noel Bell Ridley Smith and Assocs. was employed to produce a design.

To view the history of the school site please click here.

The Board of the College met weekly over the next months working feverishly on the hundreds of details required to be met before opening. Mrs Patricia Oliver organized the uniform as well as the temporary establishment of the College at Charles Sturt University’s South Campus. Mr Charles Houen provided astute legal advice and Mr Keith Wheeler oversaw the release of publicity details. Mrs Helen Wotsko assisted in the accountancy establishment. The new Rector and Regional Bishop, Bp. Godfrey Fryar, provided support and liaised with the Anglican officials in Canberra. As a result of the hard work the College was able to open at the South Campus on 28 January 1999. In July the school was able to move into the Stage 1 Building on Farrer Road.

CONSOLIDATION STAGE
In 2002 the Board of the College identified the move beyond the establishment stage to the consolidation stage. Mr Andrew Bowcher had joined the Board in November 2000 bringing vital accountancy experience. Under the strong leadership of Mr Neil Stubbs strategic planning days were organized and a new sense of direction was developed. Extensive building programmes were undertaken each year and balanced budget were created that included debt repayment.

Over the next years a substantial enrolment surge saw the Board recalculate the estimated size of the school from 280 students to 600 by 2009. In 2002 the College had 165 students spread between Year 7 and Year 10. In 2003 enrolments had risen to 260 students. In 2004 a large intake at Year 7 level saw school numbers at 350. This had risen to 465 by 2005.

The increased enrolment allowed the Board to appoint a Business Manager in 2004, Mrs Lynda Miller, as well as increasing the size of the teaching and administrative staff.

The increased size of the College steadily impacted on the school’s sporting reputation. In 2004 the College won the Inter Wagga High School Athletics for the first time. The Swimming title was secured in the following year.

A regular Activities Week programme witnessed overseas tours as well as adventure based activities. The first Silver Award in the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme was obtained in 2005.

The school oval was developed through 2004 and opened in 2005 and the library and gymnasium were both opened in 2006.

The Design and Technology Centre is due to be completed before school begins in 2009.

Excellent results in the nationwide Academic Competitions were supported by outstanding successes in the School Certificate and Higher School Certificate examinations.

The first group of students graduated from the College in 2004. Most were able to pursue tertiary studies as a result of their competitive UAI scores.