STARTING out with humble beginnings, the Kerang Christian College is now celebrating its 40-year anniversary, starting this Saturday at 10am with an open day and school tours.
The festivities will begin with the official opening of the new administration and student services building, and the newly refurbished primary building.
In true Australian tradition there will be a free sausage sizzle available for lunch.
On Sunday there will be a service of thanks-giving at the Kerang Memorial Hall at 10.30am.
Starting out in 1983 in a few rooms off the Kerang Baptist Church, the school now has 130 students and 27 staff ranging from Prep to Year 12.
A group of members of the church wanted to see a school that had a Christian focus, so there was a flow from home, church and school.
This year is principal Lance Davidson’s first year at the college and is his first time at a country school.
“I am loving the experience of being part of a small town and community,” Mr Davidson said.
“There is a real sense of people being here to support one another, which I really love.
“I think that families are looking for a school that offers values that they see as being important to them.
“We like to share a bit about faith and God as a part of what we do with our education here.”
The school has students from the surrounding districts such as Barham, Lake Charm, Boort and Murrabit.
Year 11 student Kaden Gillingham said it was a really friendly environment in the school.
“All the teachers make it feel like it’s a big family,” Kaden said.
Fellow Year 11 student Brylie Shepard, an aspiring primary school teacher, said she enjoyed the relationships between the students and the teachers at the school.
“The teachers respect us and we respect the teachers, which really works well,” Brylie said.
“I find that the smaller class size, so that you receive a more one-on-one learning, really helpful.”
Year 5 student Bella Higgssaid if someone was down there was always someone to pick them back up.
Jenni Vellacott, one of the original students when the school first opened, is now the Prep and Year 1 teacher at the school.
Teaching at the school for eight years, Ms Vellacott enjoyed having the students as they start their education journey.
“I’ve had the little ones the whole time I have been at the school,” she said
“I love watching them learn, I love watching them grow.
“It’s really a great privilege to work here, it is a great community and a great town.
“I enjoy that I can be who I am here, being a Christian is my faith and a big part of who I am and I don’t have to stifle that.”
Ms Vellacot said the small class sizes and the feel of community was very important to her, and that the staff know the families.
