Our History
1987 - 1994
Our Founding Years
Overnewton Anglican Community College was founded in 1987 in response to a growing need for accessible, high-quality education in Melbourne’s north-western suburbs. Under the leadership of its founding Principal, Mr Keith Richardson, and with just 15 dedicated staff, the College opened its doors at the Keilor Campus. From its earliest days, Overnewton was defined by strong community partnerships, launching the Family Involvement Program that invited each family to contribute 18 hours of service per term, a tradition that became foundational to College culture.
In these formative years, the College began to take shape both physically and philosophically. In 1989, the Visual Arts Centre was opened, followed in 1990 by the Penman Centre, a purpose-built facility for students in Years 11 and 12. These early developments reflected the College’s aspiration to provide students with access to a rich and holistic learning environment. During this time, Bishop John Stewart served as the Chair of the Board, guiding the governance of the College until 1994.
1995–2000
Expansion and a Second Campus
In 1995, Lesley Bell was appointed as the second Principal of Overnewton, alongside newly appointed Chair of the Board, Clovis Bonner. Under Lesley’s leadership, the College underwent a period of significant growth and transformation. The most notable development during this time was the opening of a second campus at Taylors Lakes in 1996, which welcomed students from Prep to Year 8 and extended the College’s reach across Melbourne’s west.
Facilities across both campuses continued to evolve, with the opening of a new Art and Technology Centre at Keilor in 1996, and the launch of Canowindra, a dedicated Year 9 Centre at Taylors Lakes, in 1998. These additions reflected the College’s growing enrolment and its commitment to developing age-specific spaces that nurtured academic and personal growth.
This period concluded with a transition in leadership, as John Brenan was appointed Principal in 2000, overseeing a brief transitional phase before the College entered a new and defining chapter.
2001 - 2012
A Vision for the Future
In 2001, Jim Laussen became Principal of Overnewton, beginning a 22-year tenure that would shape the College’s direction for the decades ahead. His leadership was grounded in long-term planning, strategic vision, and a commitment to community-centred education. That same year, Richard Vanderloo was appointed Chair of the Board, followed by Manny Stamatopoulos in 2002.
In 2003, the College’s ambitions were formally articulated in the publication of the 2020 Vision, a forward-looking document that outlined key priorities for development. That same year also marked the beginning of Overnewton’s connection with the Chibobo Orphanage in Zambia, building a strong sense of global responsibility and service learning into the student experience.
A major milestone was reached in 2004 when students began classes in the Richardson Centre, a new Senior School building at Keilor, officially opened in 2006. That year also saw the opening of a new Middle School at Taylors Lakes and the celebration of the College’s 20th anniversary. In the years that followed, new facilities such as the Sports and Performing Arts Centre (2008), the Taylors Lakes gymnasium (2010), and the Junior School at Keilor (2012) were opened, further strengthening the College’s learning environment. The College celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2012, marking a quarter-century of growth, partnership, and purpose.
2013 - 2022
Innovation, Connection and Renewal
From 2013, under the governance of Board Chair Mark Ruff, Overnewton continued to pursue innovation and excellence. In 2014, the College became a pioneer in language education, introducing the CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) program in the Junior School, where Science was taught in Mandarin, a unique and forward-thinking approach within the region.
That same year, John Durow was appointed to the College Board. During his early years of service, he contributed to the work of both the Finance Committee and the Governance Committee, providing thoughtful oversight and strategic insight. In 2016, the College acquired 13 hectares of additional land adjacent to the Keilor Campus, paving the way for future development. A year later, the strategic plan, Taking the Alpha Generation to Excellence, was launched, setting a bold direction for learning and wellbeing in a rapidly changing world.
John Durow was appointed Chair of the Board in 2017. That year also saw the beginning of a partnership with Shepherdson College in Galiwin’ku, a Yolngu community in the Northern Territory, further strengthening the College’s commitment to reconciliation and cultural understanding. Overnewton celebrated its 30th anniversary in the same year, a time to reflect, honour its journey, and recommit to its values.
A major phase of campus renewal followed. In 2021, the Junior School was brought together at the Canowindra Campus, Taylors Lakes. This was followed in 2022 by the creation of a combined Middle School at the Yirramboi Campus, Keilor. These campus restructures created a more cohesive learning experience across the College and reflected a contemporary approach to stage-based education. In 2022, the College community also celebrated its 35th anniversary.
2023–Present
A New Chapter
In 2023, Emily FitzSimons was appointed as Principal, becoming the fourth person to lead Overnewton Anglican Community College. Her appointment marked the beginning of a new chapter for the College, one focused on sustaining the College’s strong foundations while continuing to innovate for the future.
Emily’s leadership signals a renewed focus on academic excellence, strong community values, and strengthening partnerships with families. As Overnewton looks to the future, it continues to build on its proud heritage, offering a learning environment where students are known, challenged, and inspired to contribute confidently to the world around them.
We acknowledge and pay respect to the Marin Balluk people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which Overnewton Anglican Community College stands. We respect the knowledge that will be forever embedded within the Aboriginal Custodianship of Country and remember the loss of cultures, languages and Lands they have endured. Like the Marin Balluk people, we at Overnewton want to respect the Land, the cultures and the heritages, and learn from those who have come before us in the passing on of knowledge and the teaching of life skills, as well as continue with wise stewardship of our buildings and grounds. We honour their custodianship of this Land and offer them our deep respect.