Green light for new school

While the approval still needs to be put to the registration committee (mid-July) and then to the NSW Minister for Education for final approval, Melos Group said it is basically a formality.

Based on the NESA recommendation, more specific maintenance has started at the school this week to prepare for a 2026 start date.

Melos Group executive principal Phillip Nash said the school would also need to prove itself in the first year to continue operating in Deniliquin.

“Our submission to NESA received full approval and a recommendation from the Inspector to the Registration Committee to grant the first year's registration,” he said.

“You only get one year in your first year of operation, and in that year they check you again. If you are doing everything as required, you will get up to five years’ registration.

“The process involved an online application showing in a range of areas, specified by NESA, that we were capable of complying with registration and accreditation (Years 7 -12) requirements.

“It covers areas like governance (are our directors fit and proper people), curriculum, suitable facilities, child safety, qualified staff, financially sustainable.

“A site visit was conducted by the Inspector assigned to us, and she had no issues with the site and facilities.”

Mr Nash said the student applications for Riverina Christian College still cannot be accepted until the minister’s approval has been granted.

He expects this will occur mid-August.

In the meantime, he said preparations regarding campus maintenance and recruitment of staff would take place.

“We are cleaning out old resources, equipment and furniture from the school buildings in preparation for new furniture and fresh resources,” he said.

“We have engaged Hilton Electrical Solutions to replace all the light fittings and tidy up some electrical work.

“We are doing a small renovation in the administration building, and it looks as though Mobile Mission Maintenance will be able to pull a team of volunteers together in November to give everything a fresh coat of paint.

“We will replace some floor coverings and window treatments also.

“I will begin calling for expressions of interest for a principal and staff positions in the next couple of weeks, to give us time to find the right people.

“Contracts won't be offered until we receive our registration certificate.”

The Riverina Christian College is utilising the campus and infrastructure which once housed Deniliquin Christian School.

Melos Group purchased the campus in 2023 after the closure of the Deniliquin Christian School at the end of 2022.

The DSC board made the tough decision because of waning enrolment numbers, which it identified would create “significant financial risk going into 2023”. The school had 31 students and 10 staff at the time of closure.

Mr Nash has previously said Riverina Christian College would begin with only a limited intake of students in certain grades, Years 7 and 8, and grow in subsequent years.

But he said the final decision would be based on enrolment interest.

The school is expected to offer both face-to-face and online lessons, meaning the school would not be limited in the subjects it can offer.

Mr Nash has also said long-term plans for the school campus may include the provision of early childhood education, to help meet local needs.