Leading the development of new models of schooling: Community-based Christian schools in Australia

Parent-controlled and community based Christian schools are a relatively new phenomenon in Australia. Nearly two-thirds of all students in Australia attend State, or public, schools. Around twenty percent attend Catholic schools, with the remainder attending other non-government or independent schools (Schools Australia, 2010). Most of the independent schools are tied to particular religious affiliations, such as Anglican, Baptist, Greek Orthodox, Islamic, Jewish, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Seventh Day Adventist. Approximately forty per cent of these independent schools, roughly five percent of the total Australian student population, comprise other new Christian schools. This paper explores leadership issues in new Christian schools that foster religious education as an integral part of the total formation of the individual.