There is light at the end of the tunnel for Brindabella Christian College. Photo: Region.
Brindabella Christian College will soon have a new owner with the transfer of school registration to the administrators’ choice, Christian Community Ministries, underway.
ACT Education Minister approved the transfer, with conditions, on Monday (14 May).
“I have imposed conditions on the school’s registration as part of the transfer and transition to CCM,” she said.
“These conditions will be published on the Register of Non-government Schools once the transfer is complete.”
BCC, or more precisely its former proprietor, Brindabella Christian Education Ltd, owes more than $20 million to creditors and has been in the hands of Deloitte administrators Sal Algeri and Sam Marsden since 5 March.
They secured funds from the ACT and Federal governments and the school’s financier and secured creditor, NAB, to pay staff and keep the College running while it ran a national expression of interest search for a new owner.
The administrators selected Queensland-based CCM, which runs 14 schools in three states, as its preferred new operator in mid-April.
A three-week consultation followed, ending on 7 May.
The administrators will make an official announcement when the transfer is complete, but they have been advised and are finalising the paperwork.
CCM welcomed the approval and was now focusing on the transition process.
“Christian Community Ministries thanks the ACT Government and the administrators for their cooperation throughout this process,” it said.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the principal, leadership and staff of Brindabella Christian College to forge a great future for the students and families who make up this wonderful school community.”
Reform BCC welcomed the fresh start for staff and families at the school.
“We are hopeful that under the new governance and oversight of CCM, a safe and secure learning environment will be provided with a focus on rebuilding relationships and community trust,” it said.
“The community is also keen to hear, in due course, how CCM intends to address and resolve the compliance breaches left by BCEL, regarding campus facilities, building compliance and car parking issues.
“We hope CCM will take open and consultative steps to address these issues.”
Next steps will involve the sale of school property to CCM to the satisfaction of creditors.
The administrators have until 3 August to call a second creditors’ meeting. BCEL owes at least $6 million to the Tax Office and $9 million to NAB.
Wind-up action from the Tax Office is on hold.
It is believed the administrators are also seeking new operators for the Early Learning Centre at the Norwest Campus in Charnwood.
Administrators shut down the K-6 operation there last month, with the 42 students given spots at the main Lyneham campus.
