Established in 1898 and set on 17 hectares of rural property, the Avondale campus is spacious and picturesque. As a member of the international Adventist schools system, AvondaleSchool facilitates a holistic approach to the development of each child. The school encourages academic excellence and a vibrant Christian lifestyle where emphasis is placed on the value of respect and good citizenship, as well as the nurturing of Christian faith. This is implemented in practical ways through regular commitment to a variety of community services.
Facilities: The school offers well-equipped classrooms, up-to-date facilities and technology including networking and internet access, visual arts, technology and design and agriculture areas, highly functional libraries, computer rooms and a 200-seat music centre. Sporting facilities include tennis and basketball courts and three ovals. A new 3000-square multipurpose centre with weights room, commercial kitchen, classrooms and indoor basketball courts. There is also a large outdoor shade area, bus shelter and aviation facilities.
Electives Years 9 and 10: In addition to the core subjects in Key Learning Areas, AvondaleSchool offers Commerce, Geography, History, French, Design and Technology, Technics, Food Technology, Drama, Computer Studies, Textiles and Design, Visual Arts and Digital Photography.
Electives Years 11 and 12: In addition to the compulsory subjects of English and Studies of Religion, the school offers Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geography, Modern History, Food Technology, Visual Arts, Legal Studies, Design and Technology, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, Community and Family Studies, Information Processes and Technology, Business Studies and Information Technology.
Sport: AvondaleSchool is involved in the Hunter Region Independent Schools Association, which provides opportunities for competition in sports such as swimming, soccer, cricket, indoor cricket, cross-country, athletics, tennis, netball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and touch football. Students are also selected for inter-school competitions with other HunterValley independent schools in swimming and athletics.
Children have the opportunity to be selected to participate in area, zone or state competitions.
Extracurricular activities: The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, concert band, Streamwatch, Horizon magazine, Mock Trial, drama.
Welfare and personal development: The school has a peer support program, a full-time chaplain for pastoral care and a careers adviser who provides a careers program including work experience. In addition, firm discipline and a uniform code are enforced. An active Home and School Association works enthusiastically to support the school.
Special features: Avondale Early Learning Centre has outstanding play areas with a mud stream, vegetable garden, cubby house, fruit trees and pets. The centre caters for three- to five-year-olds and government childcare benefits are available. The centre has been designed to be parent-friendly, with EFTPOS facilities, a one-way glass viewing area so parents can watch their children at play, state-of-the-art security and a freezer packed full of goodies for dinner. Fully qualified EC teachers and their trained assistants staff the centre.