Our Story

Providence Christian College was founded in 1984, derived from the ministry of Thornlie Church of Christ, to unveil a Christian school that would embrace all facets of a faith-based education with a focus on academic excellence.

Providence Christian College originated under the name Thornlie Christian Community School in 1984 but became known as Thornlie Christian College in 1985. In 2019, the College Board initiated a new era for the College with the decision to become known as Providence Christian College from 2020. This decision was informed by an extensive community consultation process which uncovered strong sentiment within the existing community toward changing the College name due to the geographical disconnect with the former name and the College’s actual location.

The word providence means “God’s provision and guidance.” The name perfectly complements the College’s purpose to provide “Education under the Lordship of Christ” and therefore more accurately defines who we are and what we stand for.

Parents wanted a school that supported the Christian values they practiced at home, without compromising academic rigour. For many years, this was a common dilemma for parents in the south-eastern suburbs of Perth.

One group of community members decided it did not have to be that way and in 1984 they opened a school that was distinctly different to others in the area. Derived from the ministry of Thornlie Church of Christ, a vision was inspired to unveil a Christian college that would embrace all facets of a faith-based education with a focus on excellence in all spheres of life. Located in Southern River, Providence Christian College exists today to create a rigorous and contemporary education pathway that supports the Christian values that so many families seek to embed in their personal lives.