1979
A group of interested community members in the northern suburbs of Wollongong formed the Illawarra Association for Christian Parent Controlled Education (IACPCE) to work towards the opening of a school in the area.
1982
The Illawarra Christian School opened in the hall of the Woonona Presbyterian Church with one teacher and 10 children.
1985
The Board took a step of faith and purchased the Cordeaux site. The Chairman’s Report of 1985 comments that one of the great strengths of the school community is “our unity of purpose, to educate our children in the knowledge of and obedience to the Word of God ... we have a very diverse community, with people from all walks of life, numerous denominational backgrounds and yet a very real unity in Christ.”
Mr Alan Kendal was appointed the first principal of Illawarra Christian School.
1987
Illawarra Christian School moved from Woonona to Cordeaux Heights and the first Year 7 class commenced. The school had grown to 184 students with eight teachers.
1988
Mr Geoff Hewitt became the second Principal of Illawarra Christian School. Student numbers had increased to 263 with a single stream of classes from Kindergarten to Year 8.
1992
The first Year 12 students graduated. The school served over 300 children from Kindergarten to Year 12.
1994
Tongarra Christian School amalgamated with Illawarra Christian School to form one Association with two campuses.
2008
Mr Simon Lainson was appointed third Principal of Illawarra Christian School Cordeaux Campus.
Illawarra Christian School commenced its first Prep class.
2012
Illawarra Christian School celebrated 30 years of providing Christian education in the Illawarra through various community activities, including a large combined celebration at WIN Entertainment Centre.
2017
The Illawarra Association for Christian Parent-Controlled Education rebranded as Illawarra Christian Education, operating two separate schools, Illawarra Christian School (formerly Illawarra Christian School, Cordeaux Campus) and Calderwood Christian School (formerly Illawarra Christian School, Tongarra Campus)
2020
Illawarra Christian School commenced triple streaming in Year 7 and had over 650 students from Prep-12 and 90 staff.
What they Say
View All Testimonials“It’s great to be part of a workplace where my faith is intrinsically woven into my days. But let’s be real—this can also also be challenging and humbling! I am reminded of Proverbs 27:17, 'as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
