Frequently Asked Questions
Does the College offer scholarships?
Winthrop Baptist College does not offer scholarships. This is to keep fees as low as possible for students in every Year Level.
We don't belong to a church - does that jeopardize my child's chances of being offered a place?
The College has an open enrolment policy and affiliation with a church is not a prerequisite, however, families must accept that this is a Christian College where the Christian faith is lived out daily in our attitude and care of the students and where teachers will interpret knowledge from a Christian perspective. Within the curriculum, students will be exposed to the Christian faith, and taught Christian Education.
What is the Christian Education program?
Students have one lesson each week in Christian Education, and each day commences with a small devotion or prayer during Form class. The Christian Education program is non-denominational, focusing on the stories from both the Old and New Testament, and the teachings and person of Jesus Christ.
My child is gifted/in PEAC. Does Winthrop Baptist College offer extension programs?
Winthrop Baptist College offers an excellent extension program for talented and gifted students. For information regarding this, please see Academic Extension on this website.
What does Winthrop Baptist College specialize in?
Although there are no scholarship or specialist programs, there are certainly areas of strength that the College is able to demonstrate.
Academically, the College strives to extend students and provide them with the environment to achieve excellent academic results. Over the past few years the TEE results have been outstanding, with both individual award winners, and collectively students being able to enter their university courses of choice. The free after-school tuition that is provided to families certainly supports the students in a very practical way as they pursue academic excellence. On average 70% of students are university bound, with 30% of students having a TAFE or apprenticeship focus. Students from either academic pathway therefore, have an extensive enough culture in which to thrive and be motivated. Please also see Academic Extension on this website for information on the Winthrop Baptist College academic and extension programs.
The Visual and Performing Arts faculty is also an area of strength, with students winning awards at a district and state level in drama, dance and art. Opportunities are available to perform publicly within the College context, and at various competitions. Families are now choosing Winthrop Baptist College because of its strength in these areas. At the time of writing, Winthrop Baptist College has won the Greek Drama festival three years in a row, state photography competitions and also the Wakakirri Dance festival.
Does Winthrop Baptist College offer extra-curricular activities?
The College does offer extra-curricular activities. Please see Extra-Curricular Activities on this website.
Once registered, what are the chances of my child being offered a place?
When enquiring/registering your children's names at Winthrop Baptist College, ask the Registrar this question. Though we cannot guarantee a place if a particular Wait List is long, we can give a prediction based on past years' demographics. Siblings who are due to start at the College whilst an older brother or sister is enrolled will be given priority.
When is the best time to register my children?
The earlier the better, as the sooner your child's name is on the Wait List, the better chance they have of being offered a place.
Registration costs $50 and covers all children in the individual nuclear family [should you have another baby after registering your older children, contact the College to add your new addition's name to their respective Wait List at no extra cost]. Please see the Registration section on this website for more information.
Once I have registered, how do I know whether my child will be offered a place?
Interviews are held at Winthrop Baptist College for students registered to enter the College during the year they are in Year 6. Siblings of students who will be current in the College for their entry year will be given first priority, then places are offered-starting from number one on the Wait List-until full enrolment is achieved. Letters of invitation to the interview are posted, so it is imperative the College is kept up to date with address changes.
For the interview process, one or both parents/guardians and the student meet with the Principal to discuss various matters concerning College policies, practices and the curriculum, and to answer any questions you may have in regard to the College or your student's secondary education. You will be asked to bring your enrolling student, their original birth certificate (or extract) and latest school report to the interview.
To secure enrolment, once you have attended the interview, you will be required to return the completed enrolment forms with a non-refundable enrolment deposit within two weeks of your child's interview. The deposit will be deducted from your child's fees during his/her first term at the College.
Are Winthrop and Somerville Baptist Colleges going to merge or combine?
At the beginning of the 2013 school year, Somerville and Winthrop Baptist Colleges will come together to form a brand new College. Please refer to the Announcements from the Board on this website for more information on this exciting development.
