Macarthur Anglican School
The Macarthur Anglican School is an independent Anglican co-educational early learning, primary, and secondary day school, located in Cobbitty, a suburb in the Macarthur Region of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The school provides a religious and general education for approximately 900 students from early learning through Year K to Year 12.
| Macarthur Anglican School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
  Macarthur Anglican School Location in greater metropolitan Sydney | |
Australia | |
| Coordinates | 34°00′49″S 150°43′11″E |
| Information | |
| Type | Independent co-educational early learning, primary, and secondary day school |
| Motto | Through Christ Alone |
| Denomination | Anglicanism |
| Established | 1984 |
| Educational authority | New South Wales Department of Education |
| Oversight | Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation |
| Headmaster | David Nockles |
| Grades | Early learning; K–12 |
| Number of students | 930 (January 2020) |
| Campus size | 35 hectares (86 acres) |
| Campus type | Outer suburban / regional |
| Website | www |
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Foundation
The school was founded and enrolled its first students in 1984. Under the guidance of the Foundation Headmaster, David Lloyd, 90 students were enrolled in Years 7 and 8, with the first of these to complete their Higher School Certificate in 1988. During 1984, the school moved from temporary facilities in Campbelltown to the 2-hectare (5-acre) site in Wilson Crescent Narellan, adjacent to St Thomas' Anglican Church. In its first year, the school had five members of staff and one secretary. Riley Warren, was appointed in 1989, just as the school was reaching 500 students. In 1993, 60 students were enrolled in the newly established Junior School, under the leadership of Andrew McPhail.
Rapid growth of the school beyond early expectations made the need for school education in the surrounding district. It was soon apparent that more land would be needed and the 49-hectare (120-acre) site at Cobbitty was purchased. All secondary students and facilities were moved to Cobbitty in 1997 while the Junior School expanded to 400 children at the Narellan campus. After years of trying to sell the Narellan campus, in order to relocate the Junior School to the Cobbitty campus, it was sold in early 2004. New facilities were built and from July 2005 the whole school was together again at the Cobbitty campus.
In 2009, Macarthur marked its Silver Jubilee and also appointed a new Headmaster, David Nockles.
Today, Macarthur Anglican School educates approximately 1,000 young people (4 to 18 years of age) from the Macarthur Region.
Headmasters
The following individuals have served as Headmaster of the Macarthur Anglican School:
| Ordinal | Officeholder | Term start | Term end | Time in office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Lloyd | 1984 | 1989 | 4–5 years | |
| 2 | Riley Warren AM | 1989 | 2008 | '18–19 years | |
| 3 | David Nockles | 2009 | present | 10–11 years |
The school crest and motto
The school crest depicts the Christian foundations of the school. On it can be seen the Cross of Jesus Christ, the Bible, and three gold crowns representing the three Persons of the Godhead - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The motto "Through Christ Alone" aims to remind students of God. The school also uses another motto, 'Enter to Learn, Go Out to Serve', reflecting the vision of the school.
School facilities
Macarthur Anglican School is located on a campus in the semi-rural suburb of Cobbitty. The school contains a chapel, used for performances and meetings. A large Rehearsal Hall used to Music Performance. A library is located in the middle of the campus. A gymnasium was opened in 2002, and along with an athletic oval, a basketball and tennis court. The school also has an administration block, laboratories, a canteen, student facilities and classrooms. There are four computer rooms throughout the school.
International
Macarthur Anglican School has established links with a number of overseas schools in Hungary, Japan and Canada. From the link with Pacific Academy in Vancouver, Canada, Macarthur students have been on a mission trip to Thailand, which has happened annually since 2004. In 2005, Macarthur Anglican School has been supporting the building of an Anglican School, St. Michael's Secondary School, in Tanzania. In 2006, the school gave $40,000 to support this.