This school began as the Darling Range School in 1907. It was originally established to provide local education facilities for secondary students of Seventh-day Adventist families who would otherwise have had to go across the country to Avondale School in Cooranbong, a town about 120 kilometres (75 mi) north of Sydney, to receive their education.
Charles E Ashcroft, an early Seventh-day Adventist, offered to donate land for the proposed boarding school. The land was situated 27 kilometres (17 mi) east of Perth in the Heidelberg Valley (now Bickley Valley) in the Darling Range. Ashcroft's offer was accepted and work began immediately. Church members demonstrated their interest in the venture by contributing both time and money. The school opened 13 January 1907 with H.R. Martin as Principal, and only two students. By the end of the first week the number had grown to five and by the close of the year to 14.
Since its modest beginning in 1907, the school has undergone many changes which culminated in the rebuilding of the main administrative-classroom block in 1977. The College estate was gradually enlarged until it totalled 55 hectares (140 acres), of which 9 hectares (22 acres) are in orchard, mainly stone fruits and citrus.
The school celebrated its centenary in 2007 and has continued to undergo renovations and changes to improve the appearance and ability to provide an excellent education to its students. This includes the removal of the majority of the property's orchards, allowing for a better view of the valley, the remodeling of the library with the addition of brand new computers and facilities, as well as the changes made to the school's academic and behavioural policies to allow for a difference in learning and discipline.
Facilities
The College offers students a high standard learning facilities such as:[5]
A newly[when?] remodelled and refurbished library, equipped with Apple iMacs
Dedicated junior classrooms for Year 7 and Year 8
Newly refurbished classrooms
A refurbished Food Technology Department
A recently remodeled Design & Technology Department, incorporating large, fully equipped Automotive, Small Machines, Metalwork and Woodwork rooms as well as Graphics Technology, Ceramics, Photography and Art rooms
A computer room, equipped with Apple iMacs
A fully equipped Science Department
A full-court Gymnasium, complete with a working fitness area
A Horticulture Department with orchard and gardens
Outdoor tennis and basketball courts
Top and middle ovals
A high quality computer network enabling high speed wireless (and/or cable connections) with seamless and extensive coverage of the campus.
All students take religion classes each year that they are enrolled. These classes cover topics in biblical history and Christian and denominational doctrines. Instructors in other disciplines also begin each class period with prayer or a short devotional thought, many which encourage student input. Weekly, the entire student body gathers together for an hour-long chapel service with guest speakers and games. Outside the classrooms there is year-round spiritually oriented programming that relies on student involvement.
Sport
Carmel Adventist College rotates its sport selections on an academic term basis. Commonly offered sports include soccer, mountain biking, rock climbing, gymnastics, team games, and basketball.
