In the early 1970s, a small group of Christian parents came together with a desire to establish a school that would educate, train and care for students based on the gospel of Jesus Christ. In October 1977, the Darwin Christian Schools Association was formally incorporated. It had 34 members and nine elected board directors.
The Northern Territory Government offered the Association a block of land on McMillians Road, where the Coptic Church now sits. But when the directors visited the site, they found the land covered in 50mm of water. As drainage options were being explored, a prayer march was organised.
Unbeknownst to the prayer group, however, the wrong address was advertised, and everyone marched and prayed around a block different to the one the Association had been granted. The mistake was discovered but soon forgotten as the Association realised it had to decline the government’s offer of land. The cost of installing drainage was too great for its modest budget.
The government’s second offer – Carpentaria College (now Haileybury) – was also declined due to the extensive work needed to repair the damage caused to the College by Cyclone Tracy. Out of options, the Association approached the Anglican Church about an empty block of land it owned on McMillians Road. It had far less drainage problems and the church agreed to surrender the title of the land so it could be transferred to Darwin Christian Schools Association. It was the same block of land the prayer group had mistakenly marched around.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Before Amy Johnson Avenue existed, the original entry to the school was off McMillans Road.
TRACY VILLAGE
Due to heavy rain, the new classrooms were not ready for occupancy at the beginning of the school year. Temporary accommodation was made available at Tracy Village. Six weeks later, school resumed back at its permanent location.
OFFICAL OPENING AND DEDICATION
In March, parents, staff, students and friends came together to dedicate the school to God.
LIBRARY DEDICATION
Work on the library block was completed. This location is now the current performing arts centre.
INDIGENOUS LEARNING CENTRE
Established to provide learning opportunities for students living in remote communities.
FAMILY GROUP HOMES ESTABLISHED
Our Family Group Homes aim to be very much like ordinary family homes. A mature Christian, married couple, live in each suburban home. They are referred to as ‘Mum and Dad’ and look after the boarders full time.
REFURBISHED COURTYARD
Students participated in a refurbishment of the 1,400 square metre courtyard. This consisted of paving, gardens and a large shade structure.
NAME CHANGE
Marrara Christian School became Marrara Christian College and with that, a new logo was created.
FABRICATION, CONSTRUCTION AND TRADE TRAINING CENTRE (FACTTC) PROJECT
Alongside teacher Richard Hart, interested students constructed and fabricated the school’s future trade training centre.
MULTI-PURPOSE BUILDING (MPB)
Stage 1 completed in 2008 and Stage 2 completed in 2009. The MPB is affectionally called ‘The Cockroach’.
FACTTC BUILDING OPENING
Our Fabrication and Construction Trade Training Centre opened. Established with 15 students, the program prepares students for work across a wide range of construction and fabrication trades. Students undertake Year 11 and 12 studies that allow them to successfully attain their Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET).
EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
Our preschool became Kingdom Kids, a name befitting the foundational learning that students at Marrara receive.
PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE
Work was completed to transform the decommissioned former library into a performing arts centre and dance studio.
