Philosophy and Aims
Redwood College is a ministry of Southern Cross Educational Enterprises (SCEE) providing education for students from Preparatory to Year 12 through Distance Education. The College was founded with a conviction to provide the Australian Curriculum alongside a value-based Biblical worldview, which enables individuals to become all they were created to be.
Every student should have access to quality, Christian education. We are raising up the next generation to understand their purpose, be kind and caring to others, and be equipped and educated to fulfil their God-ordained role in life. Through distance education, we make this available to students:
- who need a safe inclusive place to be nurtured to overcome their barriers and grow in social skills and confidence;
- students who live in remote areas of Queensland; and
- students who need flexibility due to travel or pursuing extracurricular activities.
In this technologically advanced and rapidly changing world, distance education uses technology as a platform for teaching and learning and also to prepare students for life and work in the 21st century.
Redwood College accepts the Bible as the inspired Word of God. The College believes that the Bible contains a framework from which we can develop educational policy and practice, and confidently apply this to our governance and decision making. We also believe that its principles and values are applicable to every aspect of life, for all cultures, in all times of history. The Biblical worldview foundation encourages the student to walk in truth and, through faith, manifest the fruit of the Spirit in good works, godly character, moral and ethical integrity and a lifestyle of service. Biblical worldview education addresses values, attitudes, self-awareness and personal identity and fosters the development of skills that enable students to manage their spiritual, emotional, mental and physical wellbeing
At Redwood College we aim to provide quality education, alongside a Christian worldview, in partnership with parents and in an inclusive and healthy culture and environment.
Our philosophy and aims reflect the goals of the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration (December 2019), as is evidenced in the descriptions of our aims below.
Education
We aim to provide quality education, aligned with the Australian Curriculum, which empowers students to become confident and creative individuals and successful lifelong learners.
Christian worldview
We aim to provide an educationally sound environment where students can grow in social skills and have the opportunity to personally encounter God and engage in a life transforming discipleship journey to discover their unique gifts and calling.
For this purpose, we aim to appoint qualified, Christian teachers who recognise their missional calling by God to disciple students and facilitate their academic, cultural, physical, spiritual and emotional development. They are expected to exemplify Christian character, teach from a Biblical worldview, and seek best practice in teaching and learning approaches in order to equip students to become responsible members of their local and global community along with developing key learning skills for the 21st century.
Through Biblical Studies and weekly whole-school Chapel videoconferences, we aim to provide students with opportunities to increase their knowledge of the Bible. Through the interactions of teachers with families and the examples set by College staff, we aim to increase student’s understanding of applying Biblical values in their everyday lives.
Partner with parents
We aim to partner with parents and carers to nurture the spiritual, academic, social, emotional, and physical growth of each student, engaging them to become active and engaged members of their communities.
Culture
We aim to develop a culture that promotes excellence and equity, values diversity in culture, ethnicity, and socio-economic status and is based on respect for God and others.