Who Are We?

The Christian Education Trust was formed in 1986 to provide quality Biblical and Christ Centred Education for students of all age groups. Stage 1 of this ambitious project was the establishment of Bethlehem College. In 1987 we purchased 180 acres and the College began in 1988.

Over the ensuing 20 years, the Christian Education Trust have established these Educational Centres:

  • Bethlehem College (1988)
  • Bethlehem College Kindergarten (1989)
  • Bethlehem International School (1992)
  • Bethlehem Tertiary Institute (1993)
  • First Class Education and Care (2004)

These provide programmes and opportunities for quality Christian Education for students of all ages.


To assist in providing quality education, the Christian Education Trust have established Support Services:

  • Bethlehem Administration Services
  • Bethlehem Computer Services
  • Bethlehem Development Services
  • Bethlehem Financial Services
  • Bethlehem Trading Company

These businesses support the educational entities, and provide quality services while maintaining good stewardship of personnel and finances.

The vision of the Trust continues 'on and off' Campus.

The 'on-campus' development for 2007 to 2010 includes:

  • Performing Arts Centre
  • Bethlehem Tertiary Institute Library extensions and Student Centre
  • Cultural Centre
  • Outdoor Education facilities

Land purchased in October 2006 for new college in Papamoa

 

The 'off-campus' projects for 2007 to 2020 include:
  • A new Preschool / Kindergarten
  • A new College Year 1 to Year 13 in Papamoa
  • Other Christian Schools
  • Support for all N.Z Christian Schools

History

The History of the Christian Education Trust (CET).

Mr Graham Preston, Chief Executive Officer of the CET was the founding principal of Bethlehem College.  He had for many years dreamed of establishing a Christian School in the Tauranga area.  In November 1985, Mr Preston called a public meeting to ascertain support for the establishment of a Christian school and the following year the Bay of Plenty Christian Education Trust was formed.

Amalgamation with the Immanuel Trust of Auckland, who owned The Glade Motor Camp and Immamuel Conference Centre in Pauanui, and the sale of the Pauanui property enabled the trust to buy the school property freehold.  We are all indebted to a group of Christian men and women who over a number of years of sacrificed to build up the Pauanui Trust. The school property was purchased in 1987 and plans were immediately made to begin building.

In March 1988, some 400 volunteer school supporters converged on Elder Lane to co-operate together in a well-planned 'Quickbuild' that resulted in the building of 'A' block in 3 days.  Cyclone Bola, which caused so much devastation around the country, timed its arrival with the planned 'Quickbuild', and so the conditions were less than ideal - very wet, very muddy underfoot - but with an atmosphere of tremendous purpose and comradeship the building was finished by early on the Sunday morning which dawned with sunshine and blue sky and very tired but satisfied people.  In the afternoon a time of praise and thanksgiving which was meant to be held outside the building was held in the new classroom as the rain decided to come down in torrents just as the celebration was to begin, but praise God we did anyway!!!

 

Workers busy despite the weather!!

(note the mud underfoot!)

The Hon. James Bolger; Leader of the Opposition, officially opened the school in July 1988.  The founding roll was 117 students and 5 teaching staff.  The classes extended from Junior1 to Standard 4.

Mr Bolger opens the new 'A' block