Beaconhills College

About Beaconhills College

Beaconhills College is a co-educational, ecumenical, independent school providing education from early learning to prep to year 12. The college has 2 campuses: One located in Pakenham, Victoria and one located in Berwick, Victoria, Australia, each campus with a co-located Little Beacons Learning Centre.

Beaconhills was established in 1982 by the Anglican and Uniting Churches to serve the education needs of the Christian community in the greater Pakenham area. The college celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2022. The idea to establish a local, independent, Christian school was conceived by a group of parishioners at St. John's Anglican Church in Upper Beaconsfield in 1980. By March 1981 a steering committee had been established with John McConchie appointed as chairperson. The steering committee called a public meeting at the Pakenham Hall on 11 March 1981 where the proposal to establish an ecumenical, co-educational, low-fee secondary school was ratified in the presence of some 250 people.

In 1981, as the steering committee continued to hold public meetings seeking support for the new school, a 13-acre (53,000 m2) site on Toomuc Valley Road, Pakenham was purchased and portable classrooms obtained from St. Catherine's School in Toorak, and Frank Millett was appointed as founding principal. On 3 February 1982, Beaconhills Christian College opened with 34 students and five staff. A dedication service was held at St. James Church on 28 March 1982. Frank Millet led the college as principal until 1988, by which time the college community had grown to include 388 students and a teaching staff of 30. John McConchie, having led the steering committee, was chairperson of the board until 1986.

Why Should Study at Beaconhills College?

Beaconhills College is an exciting and rewarding place to work. We prioritise the wellbeing of each of our staff members. Teachers have strong support from their leadership team and regular opportunities for professional learning. Free and confidential Employee Assistance Program to all staff and their families. Access to well-equipped gyms and sporting facilities, onsite barista at both campuses. Be part of school where sustainability is a major focus. Beaconhills is one of the largest solar-powered schools in Australia and has a number of awards for its outstanding environmental initiatives. An electric car charging station is available at the Pakenham Campus. Free onsite parking at both Pakenham and Berwick campuses. Both campuses are located close to the Monash Freeway and the Pakenham train line. Beaconhills has a strong focus on service to the community, locally and globally. There are many ways that staff enjoy giving back, from volunteering on the staff-run Vinnies Soup Van to taking part in the annual Relay For Life. We have a number of professional learning days over the course of the year, for Beaconhills staff and people from the wider education sector. The Beaconhills College CEAD (Continuous Engagement And Development) Program aims to foster leadership and innovation in education practices. The program enables staff to connect and develop leading curriculum initiatives.

Campus

The College’s campuses at Pakenham and Berwick feature sustainable building design, spacious grounds and spectacular sport, arts and technology facilities.

Pakenham Campus

Pakenham Campus opened in 1982. It is nestled in the picturesque Toomuc Valley on 18 hectares of spacious grounds with natural landscapes and abundant birdlife. The campus includes the Little Beacons Learning Centre, the separate Year 9 precinct and neighbouring boarding house. The impressive sport facilities include a well-equipped human movement centre, indoor tennis court, outdoor multipurpose courts and playing fields. Our 800 tiered-seating Performing Arts auditorium features professional-standard sound and light equipment. Junior School children enjoy undercover play areas and their 10m long pirate ship playground, complete with walking plank, mast and tubular bells to encourage creative play. Buildings are designed sustainably, with water tanks, vegetable and Indigenous gardens, large solar panel installations and other recycling initiatives part of this campus.

Berwick Campus

The Berwick Campus opened in 2003 with and has sweeping views from many classrooms across Berwick and Beaconsfield. Berwick Campus has a separate Little Beacons Learning Centre, Year 9 centre and spectacular Technology and Visual Arts buildings where large, spacious galleries enable regular displays and exhibitions.

Berwick Campus has retained substantial green areas for ovals and natural landscapes, along with multipurpose courts. Our new $12.2m Tony Sheumack Centre for Performing Arts and Jenny Williams Centre for Human Movement spans three levels and includes gyms, 630 tiered seating and fly tower, studios, exhibition spaces and music rooms.

Like Pakenham, all new buildings at the Berwick Campus are designed sustainably with extensive use of solar panels, water harvesting and recycling initiatives. It’s easy to reach our Pakenham and Berwick campuses by public transport. PTV buses shuttle between Pakenham station and the Pakenham Campus, and Beaconsfield railway station is a short 10-minute walk from the Berwick Campus.

Public transport information is available from Public Transport Victoria (PTV) as well as regional timetables and route maps for all services across Casey and Cardinia. Call one of our bus co-ordinators for more details on 1300 002 225. Regional and rural students may be eligible to use the School Bus Program to the Pakenham Campus. Details are on the PTV’s School Bus Program website. Learn how to register for the School Bus Program here.
PTV operates ‘School Special’ services during morning and afternoon school times. The buses stop in the grounds of our Pakenham Campus. MYKI fares may apply. Beaconhills College operates four private buses servicing our Berwick Campus. Information on the routes, and charges for these services below. This information is updated in term 4 of each year with the following year’s transport costs and routes.