MOREE Christian School this year has for the first time welcomed students to Year 11 – an increase in student roll-call numbers that will see the school sit its first High School Certificate in 2026.

The Stage 6 extension to Year 11 – and Year 12 next year – has been on the table for two decades, said principal Noel Kramer.

“For more than 20 years, the school and church families have been asking about the possibility of expanding to Stage 6,” Mrs Kramer said.

“Student numbers, finance and teacher qualifications have always been major factors to consider and we have been praying for a long time for God’s timing in this.”

In 2023, the governance of Moree Christian School moved to Melos Education Limited, an organisation founded by Green Point Christian College six years ago to establish a group of schools to strengthen the cause of Christian education.

“We are now part of a group of schools with Phillip Nash – Green Point Christian College principal – as our school’s executive principal,” Mrs Kramer said.

“Coming under Melos Education Limited played a part in enabling the school to apply for Stage 6 in 2024 and we are now seeing the result of that in 2025.”

In 2025, seven Year 11 students will experience a dual-faceted approach in the classroom.

“For Stage 6, we offer three face-to-face subjects, with another three subjects taught through Pacific Online Christian School,” Mrs Kramer said.

“The online component gives students plenty of subject options to choose from and they are supported in their online learning in the classroom at school as well as through Pacific Online Christian School.”

Moree Christian School students (from left) Cale Morrison, Liam McClure, school principal Noel Kramer, Katie Lee, Lily Senior and Charlotte Allen (absent on Zoom studies are Hugo De Kantzow and Harry Guest).

With seven students enrolled in the school’s historic entry to Year 11, Mrs Kramer anticipates more enrolments as the expansion takes hold.

“We have been thrilled with the response, and enrolments are steadily increasing,” she said.

“Our school families are excited and there is a real sense of excitement and anticipation in the school.”

Moree Christian School Year 11 students walked into the classroom early last week and Kindergarten and Year 10 students started Term 1 this week.

Charlotte Allen said initial butterflies about starting Year 11 were quickly dispelled.

Apart from one year of home-schooling, 16-year-old Charlotte has been a student at Moree Christian School since kindergarten.

“At first I was really nervous but now I’ve started, it’s turned out to be super-fun,” she smiled.

“All the subjects have been so interesting, especially online – it’s really interactive and fun.

“I was really surprised by the level of support offered by teachers as well; they’ve been there for us all the way and it’s been so much fun to do it with my peers, most of whom I’ve been right through school with and are my friends,” she said.

Charlotte already has her future mapped out, with a career in nursing her goal.

“I want to become a midwife and nurse,” she said.

“After school, I want to go to UNE and study nursing, and after that do a course in midwifery.

“I’m hoping to come back to Moree and work locally in the hospital,” Charlotte said.

Mrs Kramer said 110 students were enrolled at Moree Christian School in 2024, with 126 enrolling this year.

“There are enrolment interviews still taking place, and we expect our numbers to grow further,” Mrs Kramer said.

With the increase in numbers, comes more opportunities – inside the classroom as well as outside.

“More students at the school will definitely have a positive effect on the activities we run – the school band, school plays, on the sporting field and our service days in the Moree community,” Mrs Kramer said.

The expansion has also created new employment opportunities.

“We have employed an additional high school teacher and some of our part-timers have increased their days. All our Stage 6 teachers are experienced in teaching the HSC,” Mrs Kramer said.

Moree Christian School was established in 1984 as a ministry of the Moree Baptist Church.

“We take pleasure in being a small school with a big heart that offers a caring atmosphere in which excellence of learning may be achieved,” Mrs Kramer said.