Sparrows HI

— ABOUT SPARROWS HI

Supporting Christian Homeschool Families

SPARROWS HI is a Christian homeschool support and enrichment program for registered home-educated students in Years 7–12, operating from the Sparrows College facility in Cockburn Central, Western Australia.  Designed specifically for registered home-educating families, SPARROWS HI exists to support young people as they grow in faith, character, creativity, leadership and purpose within a Christ-centred community.  Students attend SPARROWS HI onsite for three days each week, participating in discipleship, mentoring, creative learning, leadership development, community activities and practical opportunities for personal growth while remaining registered homeschool students under the educational responsibility of their parents.  SPARROWS HI is not a school and does not replace a parent's role as the home educator. Rather, it seeks to come alongside Christian families by providing a supportive environment where young people can flourish spiritually, socially, creatively and personally.

Created in His Image

At SPARROWS HI, we believe young people were created for more than academic success. They were created in the image of God—to know Him, follow Jesus, develop Christlike character, discover their gifts, and serve others faithfully within their homes, churches, communities and future vocations. Our desire is to see students become mature disciples of Jesus who are equipped to live with wisdom, conviction, creativity, compassion and purpose.

Filipino remote workers supported by Sparrows Philippines program

Our Distinctive

SPARROWS HI is built on the conviction that discipleship is not merely the transfer of information but the formation of the whole person. We seek to create an environment where young people can grow in faith, character, creativity, leadership and purpose through meaningful relationships, practical opportunities, Christian community and intentional mentoring. As image-bearers, they are called not only to learn, but also to create, serve, lead and participate in God's work in the world. Our desire is to help students discover the gifts God has entrusted to them, develop those gifts faithfully, and gain a greater awareness of His calling upon their lives.

What Students Can Expect

Students participating in SPARROWS HI may engage in activities such as:

Worship, prayer and biblical discipleship
Media, design and creative projects
Bible discussion and Christian worldview formation
Leadership development and service opportunities
Music, songwriting and creative arts
ADrama, communication and public speaking

Mentoring and personal encouragement
Fitness, movement and wellbeing
Dedicated time for students to work on their homeschool studies
Supervised study and project-based learning
Community activities and collaborative learning experiences

SPARROWS HI recognises that students remain registered home-educated learners. As part of the weekly program, dedicated time is set aside for students to work on their homeschool studies, projects and learning goals within a supportive and supervised environment.  Activities may vary from year to year according to student interests, available facilitators and program development.

Sparrows College Philippines — partnering with Filipino church leaders

A Community for Christian Homeschool Students

SPARROWS HI has been established to serve Christian families who have chosen home education and who desire additional opportunities for discipleship, friendship, mentoring, creative expression and community engagement for their young people.  Parents remain responsible for their child's home education registration, educational program and compliance with Western Australian home education requirements.  SPARROWS HI functions as a support and enrichment program that complements the broader home education journey.

Scholarships

SPARROWS HI charges no fees to its students.

SPARROWS HI is fully funded, with attendance restricted to students who have been awarded a SPARROWS HI Scholarship.  Admission to SPARROWS HI is available only through acceptance into one of the scholarships offered for a particular intake year. Scholarships are available on a quota basis, with the number of places determined prior to each annual intake.  The Sparrows HI Scholarship Committee assesses applicants according to their capacity to meet the scholarship criteria, the overall merit of the application, and the suitability of the applicant for the available places. The decision of the Scholarship Committee is final.  As SPARROWS HI exists primarily to support the discipleship, formation and development of young Christians, scholarship applications consider not only educational and personal factors, but also the applicant's desire to know and follow Jesus, grow in Christian character, and participate in a Christ-centred community.

Scholarship Criteria

Applicants may be assessed on factors including:

A personal faith in Jesus Christ appropriate to the applicant's age and stage of spiritual development
A demonstrated desire to know, love and follow Jesus
A willingness to participate in worship, prayer, biblical discussion, discipleship and Christian community life
A desire to grow in Christian character, wisdom and spiritual maturity
An openness to discovering and developing the gifts, talents and calling God has placed upon their life
A willingness to explore opportunities for leadership, service and ministry

Evidence of teachability, humility, responsibility and respect for others
A demonstrated commitment to learning, growth and positive participation
Dedicated time for students to work on their homeschool studies
Supervised study and project-based learning
Community activities and collaborative learning experiences

Scholarship places may also take into consideration cohort balance, available resources and the particular objectives of each intake year.

Expressions of Interest

Expressions of Interest for future intakes are welcomed from Christian home-educating families seeking a Christ-centred community where young people can grow in faith, character and purpose.  For further information regarding scholarship applications, program details, eligibility requirements and upcoming intake dates, please submit an Expression of Interest using the link below.  We welcome enquiries from Christian home-educating families seeking a Christ-centred environment where young people can grow in faith, character, creativity, leadership and purpose while exploring God's calling on their lives.

Meet the Team

DENVER FORSDIKE

Denver Forsdike is a Christian leader, husband, father and operations professional with a passion for helping people discover and walk in their God-given purpose. Throughout his career, Denver has led teams and organisations across childcare, community services, fitness, hospitality, commercial development and Christian education. While his professional experience spans a broad range of industries, his greatest passion is seeing individuals and families thrive through authentic discipleship, meaningful community and faith-filled education. Denver is actively involved in church life and men's discipleship, and has a particular heart for raising up the next generation of young people to know Christ, develop their gifts and confidently pursue the calling God has placed on their lives. As a homeschooling parent and advocate for values-based learning, Denver believes education is most effective when young people are known, encouraged and challenged within a Christ-centred community. He sees SPARROWS HI as a unique opportunity to combine discipleship, creativity, practical learning and genuine connection during a formative season of life. Through SPARROWS HI, Denver contributes operational leadership, strategic oversight and a deep commitment to partnering with families in the development of young people who are grounded in faith, character and purpose.

ROB DICEY

Rob has spent much of his adult life mentoring, supporting and encouraging young people in both church and community settings. His involvement in children's ministry began as a young adult, and he has since served in a variety of leadership roles including children's ministry, youth ministry and pastoral leadership. Over the years, he served as a Youth Pastor within both Foursquare and Baptist church communities and has been actively involved in the discipleship and development of young people for many years. Rob has also worked professionally with young people, serving as a youth mentor through the Department of Communities and as a youth leader within community-based youth programs. Rob holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Chemistry, a Diploma of Ministry and is also a qualified Commercial Pilot. His diverse professional background includes leadership and management responsibilities across a variety of industries including childcare, fitness, hospitality, media and business operations. He serves on the leadership board of Sparrows Church and the Board of Sparrows College. As a father, Rob was actively involved in the home education journey of his daughters. Rob is passionate about helping young people grow in character, confidence, practical wisdom and faith. Through SPARROWS HI, he seeks to encourage students to discover their gifts, develop resilience, embrace responsibility and pursue God's purpose for their lives.

ALISON PARMENTER

Ali holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences with a specialisation in Nutrition and Food Science, a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary), and a Diploma in Children's Services. She has taught at the secondary school level in Science, Health, Christian Studies, and Home Economics. Ali currently serves as Registrar at Sparrows College, where she enjoys supporting students in their educational journey. She is also heavily involved in the management of Karribank, a retreat in the Porongurup region offering accommodation, restaurant and guest services. Ali and her husband are blessed with three children and she is passionate about helping people grow closer to God, with a particular interest in spiritual formation, discipleship, and supporting others in their faith journey. 

DANA DICEY

Dana Dicey has spent most of her life serving, discipling and caring for children and young people. A committed Christian from childhood, Dana has been involved in children's ministry for more than 35 years and has served in a variety of leadership and pastoral roles, including youth ministry and church leadership. She is the Pastor of Sparrows Church and serves on the Board of Sparrows College. Professionally, Dana has worked with children since 1997 and has been involved in the childcare sector since 1999. She is a qualified childcare educator and has managed childcare centres since 2009. Today, she oversees five childcare centres, bringing decades of experience in child development, leadership, family support, safeguarding, wellbeing and educational environments. Dana is also a homeschooling mother who personally homeschooled both of her daughters through significant stages of their education. This experience has given her a firsthand understanding of the opportunities, challenges and unique calling of home-educating families. Throughout her life and ministry, Dana has been passionate about helping young people know Jesus, develop strong Christian character, discover their God-given gifts, and grow in wisdom, confidence and purpose. Through SPARROWS HI, Dana desires to create a Christ-centred environment where young people are encouraged, mentored and equipped to follow Jesus faithfully, participate meaningfully in Christian community, and explore God's calling upon their lives.