Tasman Bay Christian Trust
Vision for a new Christian College in Nelson Tasman from 2027
and Interim Year 9 and 10 Schooling at Tasman Bay Christian School from 2025
Announcement November 2024
Progress towards establishing a Christian High School in the Nelson Tasman area continues, though it’s clear there are significant challenges ahead.
After the Government’s announcement regarding Charter Schools, we took the opportunity to submit an application for Tasman Christian College. A board was formed, and in August, we applied for the first round of approvals, aiming for a Term 1, 2025 opening at a leased site in Richmond.
Despite the potential of our application, we were not selected for this round, partly due to the high volume of submissions. While we’ve been encouraged to reapply next year, it’s important to acknowledge that the earliest possible opening has now shifted to Term 1, 2026 if we are successful.
We understand this will be a disappointment for families with Year 8 students who had hoped for a 2025 start. At this stage, we advise families to make alternative arrangements for high schooling in 2025, as there remains considerable uncertainty regarding the timeline.
Securing a lease for a temporary site has also proven difficult, and while we continue to explore options, there is no guarantee of progress in the short term. Our long-term goal remains focused on finding a permanent location in Richmond, though much work remains to be done.
Thank you for your understanding and prayers as we navigate these challenges.
Background
In recent years, the Tasman Bay Christian Trust (TBC Trust) has become aware of increasing parental frustration at the lack of an evangelical, non-denominational Christian College pathway serving Nelson and Tasman Bay. This was brought to our attention by the Tasman Bay Christian School Board and Principal.
In May 2023, the Tasman Bay Christian Trust (Proprietor of Tasman Bay Christian School) met with the New Life Ministries Incorporated (Proprietor of Nelson Christian Academy) and the principals of both schools to share what they were sensing and determine whether there was any alignment and pathway forward. The meeting concluded with a shared determination to each consider the next steps. Each trust prayed about the matter for some time over subsequent weeks. It was later agreed that Tasman Bay Christian Trust would lead the initiative to establish a new State Integrated College in the Nelson Tasman area and that the Nelson Christian Academy Proprietors and Board would support this vision.
Who is The Tasman Bay Christian Trust?
The elders of Tasman Church established the Tasman Bay Christian Trust in 1979 as an independent entity. Its primary responsibility as Proprietor is overseeing the Tasman Bay Christian School which was established in 1986, and became State Integrated as a Christian Primary School in 1995.
Key Factors
Professional Support
The Tasman Bay Christian Trust has contracted Carl Becker from Axis Strategies to assist with the College project. Carl has significant experience supporting proprietors nationwide, liaising with the Ministry of Education, and the running and establishment of integrated schools. The Association of Integrated Schools endorses him as an advisor to proprietors and boards of integrated schools.
Ministry of Education Perspective
The Ministry of Education is optimistic about this initiative. They have identified Richmond as an area of significant growth in the next ten years. The local Ministry office would consider the Trust’s establishment of a Christian State Integrated College a positive development, as this would mean they would not need to provide as many classrooms in their network.
What About Land?
The Trust is pursuing a range of options and has been offered some land by a landowner in the Richmond area who supports their land being used for a Christian College.
FAQs
When might the school open? Maybe as soon as 2026. This is dependent on many factors and is aspirational at this stage!
Will it be a Year 9- 13 or 7-13 College? No decision has been made in this regard. It is too early in the process to commit to either option.
How does a State Integrated School work?
A State Integrated school is a school that receives government funding for teacher salaries and school operations, but not the purchase of land and buildings.
The school is free to express and teach it's Special Character. In this case, an evangelical, non-denominational Christian faith.
It is accountable to the Ministry of Education to deliver the New Zealand Curriculum.
There are compulsory fees (Attendance Dues) to pay for the cost of land and buildings.
The school must have a parent-elected board with proprietor representatives.
What might the Attendance Dues be? Schools of this nature, on average, have Attendance Dues of $1000 per year, with some as high as $2000. However, TBC Trust is keen to keep Attendance Dues as low as possible to make a quality Christian education available to as many as possible.
What is the Trust Vision for The College?
In October 2023, the Trustees spent a weekend framing a Vision for the College. This is outlined below.
Vision Statement: To develop students of integrity who are connected with the life and mission of Jesus.
Mission Statement: To establish a Christian College centred on Jesus' transforming life. To provide a high-quality education that integrates faith and learning, helping students to connect with God, develop a true understanding of themselves, the world, and their place in it, and equip them to make a positive difference in culture.
Our Aspirations:
1. To help students see themselves as made in God's image, develop a deep and meaningful connection with the life of Jesus, and understand how faith in Him can bring new life and inform and shape every aspect of their lives.
2. To help students discover what God is like through the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus and what their part can be in that continuing story today.
3. To foster an authentic sense of Christ-centered community and belonging among students so that they can experience the love and support of others.
4. To encourage children to think critically and creatively about their faith and to develop a deeper understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus in our culture and the world.
5. To provide a high-quality education that prepares students for success in higher education and their future careers.
6. That employers seek out our graduates as employees.
7. To emphasise the importance of love, justice, mercy, truth, and compassion and to motivate students to live out these values in their daily lives, as expressions of Jesus to their world.
8. To foster a sense of wonder and awe about God's creation and help students see how the Bible and their faith can inform their understanding of science, nature, and the world around them.
9. To provide opportunities for children to explore and express their faith through sports and creative activities, such as art, music, drama, and writing.
What Happens Next?
Application for Charter School
In August 2024 the TBC Trust formed a board for Tasman Christian College and applied to open a Charter School in Term 1 2025. This application was not successful, however the Charter School Agency has recommended to keep our application open for 2026. The TBC Trust and Tasman Christian College Board will continue to work towards this option for 2026 as well as securing a site in the Richmond area.