The Story of Rivergum Christian College
The Beginning (1981-1986)
In 1981, a group of passionate Christians in Berri came together with a dream: to establish a school that would provide quality Christian education. The original steering committee of John & Heather Butler, Brian & Merle Hill, Ken & Annette Kunoth, Peter & Jessie Ochse, and David & Carol Schenke turned vision into reality.
After fundraising $12,000 amongst themselves, along with a generous $6,000 gift from the Berri Church of Christ, they purchased a block in Glossop for $18,000 in 1985. Borrowing $150,000 against the land, they began building their dream.
Dale Edwards became the first Principal, arriving from Shepparton Technical College just one week before the application deadline. A donated transportable building from Renmark High School was moved to the site, and in 1986, Riverland Christian School opened with 43 students educated “under the Lordship of Christ”.
Growth and Change (1987-1996)
Case de Ryke arrived in 1987 and immediately helped grow enrolment to 70 students and gained registration for Years 9 and 10. The shelter shed was built in 1987 as a covered play area.
After Case’s departure in mid-1988, John Millman’s tenure (1989-1990) was followed by Barbara Schottelius (1991-1996). Barbara’s era marked significant development — she and her husband Doug completed the JP classrooms, renovated the admin building, established the computer room, and began transforming the shelter shed into what would become the library and later multi-purpose room. The school reverted to primary year levels only in 1992 as enrolments dipped into the 50s.
Major infrastructure was added during these years: JP classrooms and toilets were completed in 1992 with government grants, the sandpit was built in 1995, and “the fort” playground structure was added in 1996.
Stabilisation and Modern Growth (1997-2015)
Brief leadership by long-time teacher Yvonne Zeppel (1997) was followed by Vera Wilkinson’s principalship (1998-2003), bringing stability and emphasising academics.
Bill Greenslade (2003-2008) revitalised the school through strong community engagement, growing enrolment to 74 students. A full outdoor basketball court was built in 2005, and the multi-purpose area and adjoining classrooms were completed in 2006 in time for the school’s 20th anniversary.
Matthew Paterson began his principalship in 2009, adding new teaching and support staff. The school’s most significant transformation came in 2010 with $970,000 in Federal Government BER funding, creating a bitumised and landscaped car park, stone wall frontage, canteen, and new four-classroom block. Solar panels were added in 2012, and community partnerships flourished, including the Berri ACC church’s use of the multi-purpose room for services. After community consultation, it was decided at the end of 2014 to change the school’s name to Rivergum College from 2015.
Partnership and Expansion (2016-Present)
Following Matt’s five-year tenure, Gregg Smith came from Tyndale Christian School Strathalbyn to re-establish the secondary school aspect of the now-College. 2017 was the first year of renewed middle schooling under the again-changed Rivergum Christian College name, with a planned year-by-year grade increase up to Year 12 by 2021. The sports oval, renovated STEAM Space (secondary science area) and Agriculture block were undertaken in this time.
Andrew Talbot’s nearly three-year leadership continued the site’s physical changes to include a transportable classroom building from Bethany Christian School installed in the former playground area, a large roof structure erected over the existing basketball court and a new Home Economics building established from scratch. SACE-level education continued to be developed with new staff added. The annual whole school musical was expanded and integrated into both primary and secondary curriculums, making it a standalone feature production at the Chaffey Theatre. Bus routes were expanded to include Waikerie and Loxton.
Jessica Clark began her principalship in 2022, bringing significant sustained leadership and vision for the school’s development. Under her guidance, the primary playground facilities were enhanced, specialist staff employed and the former bus-shed-turned-tech-shed was transformed into a student-accessible fitness gym/wellbeing area. An expansive strategic plan including a future Early Learning Centre was ratified for the newly-acquired adjacent vacant block.
In 2023, Rivergum Christian College entered into a strategic partnership with Torrens Valley Christian School. This collaboration has expanded the College’s capabilities and supported remarkable growth, with enrolments expanding to over 150 students in 2026.
We’re celebrating our 40th Anniversary in 2026 so if you have any memorabilia, memories to share or would just like to get in touch, let us know below!
