Our College
Principal's Welcome
Welcome to Blue Hills College – a place where your child is nurtured today, prepared for tomorrow, and taught values that last a lifetime.
As Principal of this vibrant and caring school community, it is a joy to lead a team of passionate, dedicated staff who share a vision of guiding young people not only in their academic journey, but in their growth as whole individuals. Nestled on over 30 acres of natural beauty in Goonellabah, our school is blessed with outstanding facilities and a peaceful setting that inspires both learning and reflection.
At Blue Hills College, education is more than textbooks and tests. It is about instilling purpose, building character, and nurturing each student’s potential with love and respect. Our small class sizes allow us to offer personalised attention and a deeply supportive environment where each child is known, valued, and encouraged to thrive. We aim to inspire our students to grow in faith, build resilience, and make wise, compassionate choices grounded in the teachings of Jesus.
I warmly invite you to explore our college further and discover the opportunities waiting for your family. We would be delighted to welcome you into our caring community.
Carel Neuhoff
Principal
Who We Are
At Blue Hills College, we are more than a school – we are a Christ-centred community. Our vision is to nurture students for today, prepare them for tomorrow, and instil values for eternity. This vision guides everything we do as a Seventh-day Adventist Christian school.
We believe every child is uniquely created by God, with talents and purpose to be discovered, nurtured, and celebrated. Our role is to help each student grow in confidence and integrity through high-quality education, loving relationships, and meaningful connection with God.
Through our daily learning and interactions, we reflect the character of Christ – showing love, compassion, respect, and service to others. We are committed to cultivating an environment where students feel safe, supported, and inspired to become wise, courageous, and ethical leaders in a complex world.
Our commitment to faith is woven throughout school life – in morning worships, chapel programs, service opportunities, and Bible classes that bring Jesus’ teachings to life. We don’t just teach Christian values – we live them, model them, and encourage students to take them beyond the classroom into their families and communities.
As part of the global network of Adventist Education and a proud member of Adventist Schools Australia, we offer a rigorous academic program aligned with the Australian Curriculum and NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). Yet we balance this with a focus on the heart – developing moral character, spiritual depth, and a desire to serve.
Whether your child is beginning their journey in Pre-Kindy or preparing for life beyond Year 12, Blue Hills College is a place where they will be nurtured in faith, challenged in learning, and equipped for a future full of hope.
Governance
Blue Hills College is owned and operated by Seventh-day Adventist Schools (NNSW) Ltd, an organisation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is registered and accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), which regulates all independent schools in NSW and dictates the NSW guidelines and outcomes, including responsibilities regarding the Australian curriculum. Blue Hills College is also a member of the Association of Independent Schools of NSW.
History and Heritage
Blue Hills College is part of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church and its global network of schools, the second-largest Christian education system in the world. We are proud to continue the legacy of Christ-centred education inspired by Ellen G. White, one of the founding figures of the Adventist Church. Her vision for education was to develop thinkers, not mere reflectors of others’ thoughts—students prepared for service in this life and for eternity, with hearts tuned to God’s purpose.
Our school has a rich heritage, beginning in the early 1950s when it opened as the Lismore Seventh-day Adventist School. Operating out of a modest hall relocated from Alstonville, it quickly grew into a vibrant centre of learning. Over the years, the school relocated to Uralba Street in 1960, expanded in 1978, and eventually settled into its current home on Blue Hills Avenue. In 1997, it was renamed Blue Hills College—a name that today stands as a powerful reminder of God’s continual guidance and faithfulness.
Through every chapter of its journey, Blue Hills College has remained firmly committed to the vision of its founders: to teach with Christ-like compassion, nurture a spirit of generosity, and lead students into a deeper relationship with their Creator. Our mission is to provide a caring and Christ-centred learning community where students are nurtured for today, inspired to learn for tomorrow, and shaped in character for eternity.
Adventist Education
Blue Hills College (BHC) is a member of the world-wide Adventist education system; one of the largest Protestant education systems in the world.
Since the early 1870s Adventist Education has been an integral part of the ministry of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church.
In 1892 the very first Adventist school in Australia opened in St Kilda, Melbourne. Adventist Schools Australia operates 48 schools and caters for more than 11,600 students, providing a network of resources to give each child an education of the highest quality in an ideal Christian learning environment. For more information download our document below. Around the world we operate 9489 schools, colleges and early learning centres to provide authentic Christian education in over 100 countries, with 111,360 teachers and 2,044709 students each year.
Today around Australia, our 48 schools and 13 early learning services are respected in their communities for providing authentic Christian education to nearly 17,000 students and young children from all sectors of the Australian community.
Our schools and early learning services in Australia are non-selective, inclusive schools, open to all who want a Christian community that is caring, safe, values-based, and sets high academic standards.