South Coast Baptist College

The South Coast Baptist College, formerly the Maranatha Christian College, is an independent Baptist school providing a Kindergarten to Year 12 education in Waikiki, Western Australia.

History
Its heritage dates back to 1985 when it opened as Maranatha Christian College, offering Christ-centred education to families in the area with the support of Rockingham Baptist Church. SCBC is aligned with the Baptist denomination. The teachings of the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments form the doctrinal base. Families do not need to have a Christian faith to attend the College, but must be supportive and respectful of the school's Christian ethos. The current Principle is Mrs Dawn Clements.

In 2012, the College was rebranded to reflect its growth and was renamed South Coast Baptist College. The College has experienced steady growth over the years and has become better resourced and positioned to invest in state-of-the-art technology, facilities, and programs, including a $45 million redevelopment project that is currently underway.

Campus
The South Coast Baptist College campus is situated in the suburb of Waikiki, which is located approximately 40km south of Perth. The campus spans over 11 hectares and features modern facilities including classrooms, arts facilities, a STEM facility, and a state-of-the-art gymnastics centre. The College also has an Early Learning Childcare Centre located on campus that caters to pre-school aged children and after school care.

The school's grounds are beautifully landscaped, with native plants surrounding the campus. The school also features a large oval, basketball and netball courts, and a nature play area. In 2023, the college built a new playground beside the Nature Play, made of wood.

Academics
South Coast Baptist College offers a comprehensive education for students from Kindergarten through to Year 12. The school's academic program is based on the Western Australian Curriculum, which is designed to provide a balanced and comprehensive education for students. In addition to the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, and Humanities and Social Sciences, the school also offers a wide range of electives including, Design and Technology, Visual Arts, Drama, and Music.

The school has a strong focus on developing students' critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. This is achieved through a range of teaching strategies including collaborative learning, inquiry-based learning, and project-based learning.

Specialist programs
South Coast Baptist College is known for offering a comprehensive curriculum, which goes beyond traditional classroom education. The College runs multiple specialist programs that are designed to develop students' talents and interests. These programs are taught by experts in their respective fields, who provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in their chosen field.

The College currently offers four specialist programs, namely the Football Academy, GATE, Vocal Academy, and Gymnastics. The Football Academy is a highly successful program that has earned a stellar reputation for the quality of its coaching and the success of its athletes. The program is designed to help students develop their skills in the sport and prepare them for a future in professional football.

GATE is a program that focuses on gifted and talented education. It is designed to challenge and inspire students who show exceptional intellectual ability in specific areas. The program offers a range of opportunities for students to develop their skills and talents in various fields, including science, technology, and the arts.

The Vocal Academy is a program that provides students with an opportunity to develop their singing and performance skills. It offers expert tuition in vocal technique, performance, and musicianship, and provides students with the opportunity to perform in front of live audiences.

Finally, the Gymnastics program offers students an opportunity to develop their skills in gymnastics, including flexibility, balance, and coordination. The program is taught by experienced coaches and provides students with a safe and supportive environment to develop their skills.

All of these specialist programs at South Coast Baptist College are designed to help students discover their God-given talents and provide them with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in their chosen fields.

Controversy
The school received negative publicity in 2017 when it removed gay male relief teacher Craig Campbell from the school’s relief teacher roster after he declared publicly to be in a same-sex-relationship. The principal of the school, Des Mitchell, declared that he and the school respected the teacher's personal choice of relationship but that it violated the schools core religious beliefs. At the time, Western Australian law permitted dismissal of teachers at a faith-based church on religious grounds, but Campbell's dismissal sparked a review of whether the law should be changed. As of 2022, the law permitting Campbell's dismissal was still under review, with the Western Australian Government in the process of drafting a new Equal Opportunity Act with the aim of strengthening protections for LGBTIQ+ people employed at religious schools.

Notable Alumni
Olivia Lewis, former player for West Coast Fever and current player for the Melbourne Vixens