Cairns Adventist College

## 1. Overview Cairns Adventist College is a private, independent Christian school located in Gordonvale, Queensland. It offers a faith-based education with a focus on character, service and academic development within a close-knit, supportive community. The school has a medium-sized student body and aims to balance strong academic learning with pastoral care, aiming to create an inclusive and nurturing environment where students can grow academically, spiritually and socially. Class sizes are generally small to medium, allowing teachers to give individual attention and support. The atmosphere favours a values-driven education, with emphasis on respect, responsibility and community involvement alongside academic achievement. --- ## 2. Academics & Learning - Academic strengths: The school emphasizes a solid core curriculum with strength in English, Maths and Science, integrated with faith-based values. There is a focus on developing critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills. - Special programs: Leadership development, service learning and opportunities for enhanced learning are part of the offering. Some years may include accelerated or gifted/talented paths where appropriate. - NAPLAN / trends: The school tracks NAPLAN performance over time to monitor progress and trends across cohorts, with a view to continuous improvement. Specific scores aren’t published here. - Student-teacher ratios: Class sizes are designed to be small-to-mid sized to support personalized instruction, with experienced teachers providing targeted guidance. - Support for diverse learners: There is support for diverse learners, including pathways and support for EAL (English as an Additional Language) and SEN (Special Educational Needs) where applicable, through dedicated staff and programs. --- ## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths - Sports offered: A variety of regional and school-level sports are available, including common Queensland offerings such as basketball, football (soccer), netball, cricket, rugby-related codes, athletics and swimming, with opportunities to compete in inter-school events. - Strong teams or achievements: School teams participate in regional competitions; achievements can vary by year, with emphasis on teamwork, sportsmanship and development. - Music, arts, drama programs: The school supports music and performing arts through ensembles, choirs and productions, providing performance opportunities for students. - Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess and debating are among the clubs students can access, supporting STEM interests and creative thinking. - Partnerships: The school participates in local and regional activities and may partner with community academies and competitions to broaden opportunities for students. --- ## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care - Anti-bullying approach: A clear anti-bullying policy and responsive support systems are in place to create a safe environment for all students. - House system: A house-based pastoral framework helps foster belonging, healthy competition and peer mentoring across year levels. - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to wellbeing staff and counsellors supports students’ emotional and mental health, with programs designed to build resilience and coping skills. - Transition support for new students: Orientation programs, buddy systems and targeted transition support help new students settle in smoothly and build connections quickly. --- ## 5. Facilities - Sports grounds: On-site sports fields and courts support physical education and team sports. - Libraries: A library or libraries provide study spaces, resources and quiet areas for reading and research. - Science labs: Dedicated science facilities support practical experiments and hands-on learning. - Music/performing arts centers: Spaces for rehearsals, performances and creative work are part of the arts program. - Tech/innovation labs: Technology and innovation spaces enable digital learning, coding and STEM activities. - Cafeteria: An on-site canteen/cafeteria provides meals and snacks for students. - Updated playgrounds: Modern play space areas are available for break times and outdoor activity. --- ## 6. School Values & Community Culture - School values / mission: A faith-based education grounded in Adventist principles, focusing on character, service, integrity and respect. - Leadership style: A collaborative leadership approach with opportunities for student voice and leadership development, supported by staff and the wider school community. - Behaviour expectations: Clear behavioural codes aligned with the school’s values, promoting responsible, respectful and safe conduct. - Community reputation: The college is known within the local community for its values-based education, supportive environment and focus on student development. - Diversity & inclusion: An inclusive culture that welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and encourages participation in school life. --- ## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations - School hours: Regular school-day hours with supervision before and after the core school day; exact times may vary by year level. - Before/after school care: Provision available to support families with early drop-off or after-school needs. - Uniform requirements: Uniforms are part of daily life; guidelines specify appropriate dress for different year levels and activities. - Transport (bus routes): School transport options or bus services to support access from surrounding areas may be available. - Canteen availability: A canteen or snack facilities operate during school hours. - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees are in the mid-to-high range relative to regional private schools; exact costs depend on year level and family arrangements. --- ## 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Inquiry and information gathering - Submission of application with required documents (birth certificate, immunisation records, previous school reports, etc.) - Family interview and student assessment as appropriate - Offer of place (subject to space and eligibility) - Enrolment confirmation and payment of any fees - Orientation and start-of-year preparation Note: Timelines vary by intake period; contact the school’s admissions team for current timelines and requirements. 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - A waiting list may apply if spaces are full. Priority is often given to siblings and to families with prior involvement or waitlist order. Places become available as current students transition or cohorts change. 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Typically, an information interview and confirmation of enrolment eligibility are part of the process. Some year levels may require readiness assessments or informal testing to determine appropriate placement. Documentation and faith-life alignment may be discussed as part of the process. 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers are possible when space is available and timetables can accommodate replacement courses. Applicants may need to provide transcripts, records of previous assessments and an onboarding plan to support a smooth transition. --- ## 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? - Families often choose for the values-based education, supportive pastoral care, smaller class sizes, and the sense of community aligned with Adventist beliefs. - What type of student thrives at this school? - Students who benefit from a faith-informed, close-knit school environment, with opportunities for leadership, service and personal development in a supportive setting. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? - Opportunities include leadership programs, academic extension, competitive sports teams, music and arts ensembles, and clubs such as robotics, coding, chess and debating. - How does the school communicate with parents? - Regular updates via newsletters and emails, parent-teacher interviews, online portals and notifications to keep families informed about events and student progress. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? - A student-centered approach that integrates faith-based values with rigorous academics, emphasising critical thinking, collaboration, technology and real-world applications. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? - Access to learning support staff, targeted intervention and accommodation plans, EAL/SEN support, tutoring and small-group sessions where appropriate. - What support is available for academic challenges? - Individualized plans, extra tutoring or mentoring, and collaboration with families to identify and address learning barriers. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? - Class sizes are designed to be small-to-medium, enabling more one-on-one time with teachers and targeted feedback to support student growth. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? - A range of sports, music and drama programs, plus clubs like robotics, coding, chess and debating, with regional competition opportunities. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? - Sports grounds, libraries, science laboratories, music/performing arts spaces, technology/innovation labs, a canteen and updated playgrounds. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? - Integrated technology across the curriculum with access to devices, computer labs and digital learning resources to support modern learning. - What transport and accessibility options are available? - Transport options and services are available to support access from nearby areas; specifics can be confirmed with the admissions team. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? - Fees fall into the mid-to-high range for private schooling in the region, with additional costs for uniforms, books, excursions and extracurricular activities. Exact figures should be obtained from the school’s admissions team. --- ## 10. Short Pros & Cons list - Pros - Values-based, faith-centered education with a supportive community - Small-to-medium class sizes enabling individual attention - Strong pastoral care and wellbeing support - Range of extracurriculars (sports, arts, clubs like robotics, coding, chess) - Modern facilities across science, tech, arts and sports - Cons - Higher fees relative to public schooling - Limited availability of spaces; potential waiting lists - Availability of advanced electives may vary by year and cohort - Location may require commuting for some families outside the Gordonvale/Cairns area