Good Shepherd Lutheran School Para Vista

What Good Shepherd Lutheran School Para Vista does

Good Shepherd Lutheran School Para Vista is a private, non-profit co-educational primary school operating on Kaurna Country in Para Vista, South Australia, under the governance of the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) and Lutheran Education South Australia, Northern Territory & WA (LESNW). Founded on 9 February 1981 with 94 students and grown to more than 440 students, the school delivers a Christ-centred ELC-to-Year-6 education organised into five stages of learning, with specialist subjects in Visual and Performing Arts, Auslan, Technologies, and Physical Education. Core products include the main primary school, the Curiosity Early Learning Centre for children aged 3 and 4 (Reggio Emilia-inspired, set to deliver the SA Government's Flying Start program from 2026), and Imagination OSHC providing before school, after school, and vacation care. Notable facilities include the $2.1 million Ark Science and Discovery Centre, the one7five Learning Plaza (2014), the Tirkanthi Library, the Mengkiwodli Gymnasium, and The Nest outdoor classroom.

The business model is a recurring tuition and fee-based model targeting individual families with children aged 3-12 in Adelaide's northern suburbs. Revenue streams comprise school tuition, ELC fees (A$100/day for a 9am-3pm core session plus add-on long day care), OSHC session fees (A$17 before, A$27 after, A$67-A$87 vacation), and ancillary income including government Child Care Subsidy, uniform shop sales via Qkr!, and canteen commission from third-party operator Rory's School Lunches. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer with a mandatory Principal's Tour as the funnel entry point, supported by Connected Schools network referrals, word-of-mouth, school signage, digital screens, and active social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube).

Operating technology is a modern classroom stack (computers, tablets, touch-screen smart displays, campus wireless) integrated with third-party platforms for parent engagement (TASS Parent Lounge), OSHC booking (Fully Booked), payments and uniform ordering (Qkr! by Mastercard), and family communication (Seesaw). The school is part of the Connected Schools network (Salisbury Lutheran Kindergarten, Golden Grove Lutheran Primary School, St Paul Lutheran School, Endeavour College Mawson Lakes), which provides a K-12 Lutheran pathway with priority consideration for graduating students. Governance sits with the school Board reporting to LESNW, with Shawn Zeppel as Board Chair and Evie Stevens as Principal, supported by a leadership team of 8 including a Deputy Principal, Business Director, and division-specific leaders.

Name

Good Shepherd Lutheran School Para Vista

Legal name

Good Shepherd Lutheran School Para Vista Inc.

Website

https://gspv.sa.edu.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Good Shepherd Lutheran School Para Vista is a non-profit Lutheran co-educational primary school in Adelaide's northern suburbs delivering ELC-to-Year-6 education, on-campus out-of-school hours care, and a government-subsidised Flying Start preschool program to 440+ children across Para Vista and surrounding catchment areas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Primary Education (ELC to Year 6)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter Montessori/Waldorf/Classical/Expeditionary (Pedagogical Models) (EDAJACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Early Learning Academies (EDACADAH), Faith-Based Before/After Care Programs (Early Years) (EDACAHAE)

Keywords

• Primary school education
• Early learning centre
• Out of school hours care
• Lutheran education
• Long day care

Headquarters

HQ city

Para Vista

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. School Tuition and ELC Fees: The school charges tuition fees for ELC and primary school enrolment. School fees are structured to incorporate tuition costs along with many provisions like excursions and camps to minimise out-of-pocket costs. The school states it strives to offer an affordable exceptional education experience.
2. Early Learning Centre Long Day Care: Curiosity ELC is registered as a Child Care Facility offering Long Day Care from 7am to 6pm. Child Care Subsidy (government-funded) is available to eligible Australian resident families. Fee-for-service model with government subsidy top-up.
3. Out of School Hours Care (OSHC): Imagination OSHC generates revenue through session-based fees for Before School Care, After School Care, and Vacation Care. Fees are charged per session with tiered pricing for incursion and excursion days. Child Care Subsidy is available for eligible families.
4. School Canteen (Third-Party Operated): The canteen is operated by Rory's School Lunches, a professional catering business. The school receives commission or a share of revenue through the Qkr! ordering platform integrated with the school's payment system.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Good Shepherd Lutheran School Para Vista is a co-educational ELC to Year 6 primary school delivering Christ-centred education on a single-campus in Para Vista, South Australia. It bundles three core offerings: the main primary school (Foundation to Year 6 across five stages), Curiosity Early Learning Centre (Reggio Emilia-inspired Long Day Care for 3 and 4 year olds), and Imagination Out of School Hours Care (before school, after school, and vacation care). School fees incorporate tuition together with excursions, camps, and supplies, while ELC and OSHC are subsidised through the Australian Government Child Care Subsidy.

Product overview

Good Shepherd Lutheran School Para Vista operates as a unified educational institution comprising three interconnected offerings: the main primary school (ELC to Year 6), Curiosity Early Learning Centre (ELC for ages 3-4), and Imagination OSHC (Out of School Hours Care). The school is part of the Connected Schools network working with Endeavour College Mawson Lakes to provide seamless K-12 Lutheran education. Key facilities include The Ark Science and Discovery Centre, Tirkanthi Library, one7five learning plaza with theatre spaces, and Mengkiwodli gymnasium. The school also provides technology-integrated classrooms, specialist programs in Visual and Performing Arts, Auslan language, Technologies, and Physical Education, with parent communication supported through the TASS Parent Lounge portal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Curiosity: Reggio Emilia inspired Early Learning Centre for children aged 3 and 4 years old, featuring interactive indoor spaces, modern kitchen facilities, and outdoor nature play areas.
• Imagination
• Tirkanthi
• The Ark
• The Nest
• one7five
• Mengkiwodli

Products and services

• Good Shepherd Lutheran School (ELC to Year 6 Primary Education) Co-educational primary school from Foundation to Year 6 organised into five stages of learning, with literacy, numeracy, and specialist subjects (Visual and Performing Arts, Auslan, Technologies, Physical Education). Bundled school fees include tuition plus excursions and camps to minimise out-of-pocket costs.
• Curiosity Early Learning Centre Reggio Emilia inspired Early Learning Centre for children aged 3 and 4 years old, offering Long Day Care from 7am to 6pm, the government-funded Flying Start 3-year-old preschool program (from 2026), and the Early Learning Program at $100 per day (9am-3pm) with optional before and after program care.
• Imagination OSHC (Out of School Hours Care) Out of School Hours Care service providing Before School Care ($17/session, 7am-8:30am), After School Care ($27/session, 3:05pm-6pm), and Vacation Care (Bronze $67, Silver $77, Gold $87 days). Bookings managed through the Fully Booked platform and eligible for the Australian Government Child Care Subsidy.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 440 students enrolled — grown from 94 students in the first year of operation (1981)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• South Australian Government — Department for Education (Flying Start Program)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026From 2026, Good Shepherd's Curiosity ELC officially delivers the South Australian Government's 'Flying Start' program — a teacher-led preschool program for 3-year-olds. This is part of the government's preschool for 3-year-olds initiative. The government provides funding entitlements determined by an activity test for eligible families.
• Connected Schools (Lutheran Education Northern Suburbs / LENS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGood Shepherd is part of the Connected Schools network (formerly LENS — Lutheran Education Northern Suburbs), which includes Salisbury Lutheran Kindergarten, Golden Grove Lutheran Primary School, St Paul Lutheran School, and Endeavour College Mawson Lakes. Together these schools provide K–12 Lutheran education. The network facilitates collaboration across campuses, shared leadership development, student events, and provides graduating Good Shepherd students with priority consideration to Endeavour College. Shawn Zeppel, Board Chair, is described as 'a strong advocate for the Connected Schools brand'.
• Endeavour College Mawson LakescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndeavour College, established in 1998 in Mawson Lakes, provides secondary education for students graduating from Good Shepherd and other Connected Schools. Good Shepherd provides a seamless ELC-to-Year-12 Lutheran education pathway in cooperation with Endeavour College. Graduating students from Good Shepherd have priority consideration for enrolment at Endeavour College. The two schools collaborate on events, leadership, and student experiences.
• Services Australia (Child Care Subsidy)minorOthersThe school participates in the Australian Government's Child Care Subsidy (CCS) program, administered by Services Australia. Eligible families receive government subsidies to reduce the cost of ELC and OSHC fees. Entitlements are determined by an activity test and immunisation requirements.
• Rory's School LunchesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRory's School Lunches is the third-party operator of Good Shepherd's school canteen. The business provides fresh, wholesome meals in accordance with the Healthy Eating Advisory Service and Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. Operating on Mondays through Thursdays, the canteen uses the school's Qkr! App for ordering and payment collection. The school facilitates the platform while Rory's provides and delivers the food service.
• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para VistacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGood Shepherd Lutheran School is a ministry of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista Inc., part of the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA). The school Board is directly responsible to Lutheran Education South Australia, Northern Territory & WA (LESNW). The church provides its facilities (sanctuary for worship, chapels, and assemblies) for use by the school, enhancing unity and shared spiritual experiences. The school opened as a ministry of the church in 1981.
• Lutheran Education Australia (LEA) / Lutheran Education South Australia, Northern Territory & WA (LESNW)coreOthersGood Shepherd Lutheran School is a school of the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA). The school Board is directly responsible to LESNW who also approve elected positions, whilst adhering to the requirements of LEA, LCA, and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Para Vista Inc. LESNW provides governance oversight, staff accreditation programs (EQUIP), and leadership development pathways for school staff. The school has 4 staff members who completed the Lutheran Education Australia Staff Accreditation to teach Christian Studies program (EQUIP) during 2025, and 1 staff member in the Leadership Development programme.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Immanuel College (Adelaide): A larger Lutheran ELC-to-Year-12 college in Adelaide's southern suburbs under the LCA, with comparable faith-based educational offerings but a much broader year-level range and facilities scale.
• Concordia College (Adelaide): A larger Lutheran ELC-to-Year-12 college in Adelaide operating under the Lutheran Church of Australia, offering comparable faith-based educational philosophy across a broader scope of year levels, including boarding and senior secondary. Comparable Lutheran brand and pedagogy but materially larger and broader in scope.

Direct peers

• Salisbury Lutheran Kindergarten: A Connected Schools network kindergarten offering faith-based early learning to families in northern Adelaide, with shared enrolment funnel into Good Shepherd and other network primaries. Operates under the same Lutheran governance and LESNW oversight.
• Golden Grove Lutheran Primary School: Co-located in the Connected Schools network of Lutheran primary schools in Adelaide's northern suburbs; shares the same Lutheran Church of Australia governance, governance oversight by LESNW, Connected Schools referral pathway, and faith-based Lutheran ELC-to-Year-6 primary offering to local families.
• Waldorf/Steiner schools in Adelaide (e.g. Woodleigh Gardens Steiner): Alternative-pedagogical private primary schools in Adelaide operating with a distinctive educational philosophy (Steiner/Waldorf). Comparable to Good Shepherd's Reggio Emilia-inspired ELC as a private primary offering differentiated by pedagogical approach in the same Adelaide market.
• Sunrise Christian School: A multi-campus Christian primary school in South Australia delivering faith-based education in the same Adelaide market with comparable ELC-to-Year-6 offering. Competes for the same Christian-family segment in suburban Adelaide.
• St Paul Lutheran School: Member of the Connected Schools network alongside Good Shepherd, delivering co-educational Lutheran primary education in the same South Australian geography with shared leadership development and cross-campus events. Targets the same ELC-to-Year-6 Lutheran family segment.

Regional players

• Temple Christian College: Faith-based Christian school in South Australia serving families across multiple campuses; comparable in faith-based positioning and Adelaide geography, overlapping for the same pool of Christian families seeking K-12 education.

Emerging players

• Endeavour College Mawson Lakes: The Connected Schools network secondary school in Mawson Lakes, established 1998; Good Shepherd Year 6 graduates receive priority consideration for Endeavour. Closely linked through the K-12 pathway, but a different stage of education.

Others

• Kids in Adelaide: An Adelaide parenting/kids activity directory and email newsletter listed as a referral source on Good Shepherd's enrolment form. Acts as a marketing-channel partner rather than a direct competitor, supporting family discovery of the school.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@goodshepherdlutheranschool
• Facebookfacebook.com/gspv.sa.edu.au
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/good-shepherd-lutheran-school-para-vista
• Instagraminstagram.com/gslspv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Good Shepherd Lutheran School Para Vista