Overview
Southern Cross Catholic College (Annandale campus) is a Catholic co-educational secondary school in Queensland that serves students across a range of year levels. As a large, multi-campus college, it aims to provide a faith-based education with emphasis on community, personal growth, and academic development. Class sizes generally sit in the low-to-mid 20s, with a supportive and inclusive atmosphere that values student well-being, achievement, and active participation in a range of academic and co-curricular activities.
School type: Catholic
School size: Large
Class size: Typically low-to-mid 20s
Atmosphere/culture: Nurturing, inclusive, diverse, values-based, with sports and activity opportunities
Academics & Learning
- Academic strengths: English and STEM foundations are strong, with opportunities to develop leadership and language skills through various programs.
- Special programs: Gifted and Talented pathways, accelerated learning options where appropriate, and integrated faith formation alongside core curricula.
- Support for diverse learners: Comprehensive support for diverse learners including English as an Additional Language (EAL) support and learning assistance (SEN/intervention) to help students succeed.
- Sports offered: A range of team and individual sports (e.g., football code options, basketball, netball, soccer, rugby, athletics, swimming) with programs across different seasons.
- Strong teams or achievements: Active participation in regional competitions with competitive teams across multiple sports.
- Music, arts, drama programs: Broad music and performing arts opportunities, including ensembles and productions.
- Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating, and other interest-based clubs to support student passions.
- Partnerships: Local clubs, associations, and regional competitions provide pathways for skill development and competitive opportunities.
Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
- Anti-bullying approach: Clear anti-bullying policies and proactive wellbeing programs to promote respectful behavior and a safe school environment.
- House system: House-based structure to foster belonging, leadership, and friendly competition in pastoral activities and events.
- Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school counsellors and wellbeing staff for student support and referral as needed.
- Transition support for new students: Orientation programs, buddy systems, and targeted transition support to help new students settle in smoothly.
Facilities
- Sports grounds: On-site sports fields and courts to support physical education and extracurricular teams.
- Libraries: Well-stocked libraries for study, reading programs, and research.
- Science labs: Dedicated science laboratories for practical experiments and lab-based learning.
- Music/performing arts centers: Facilities for music rehearsals, ensembles, and drama activities.
- Tech/innovation labs: Digital learning spaces and innovation-focused facilities to support STE learning.
- Cafeteria: On-site canteen facilities for students.
- Updated playgrounds: Modern, safe, and student-friendly outdoor spaces for break times and recreation.
- School values / mission: A faith-informed, values-driven education emphasising respect, responsibility, service, and excellence.
- Leadership style: Shared leadership through student involvement in clubs, prefect roles, and house activities; emphasis on positive role-modeling.
- Behaviour expectations: Clear expectations around conduct, mutual respect, and responsibility consistent with the school’s ethos.
- Community reputation: Strong sense of community and partnerships with families and local parish networks.
- Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to an inclusive environment that welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and needs.
School Logistics & Daily Operations
- School hours: Typically a full day schedule aligned with regional calendars; specific start and finish times may vary by campus.
- Before/after school care: Availability of supervised care options to support families beyond school hours.
- Uniform requirements: School uniform policy with seasonal options; guidance provided by the school’s uniform schedule.
- Transport (train/bus routes): Bus routes and transport options available; details vary by campus and residence.
- Canteen availability: On-site canteen or lunch facilities providing meals and snacks.
- Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees fall in the middle-to-upper range for independent Catholic schooling in the region; specific costs depend on year level, additional programs, and campus.
Enrolment & Admissions
- 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline?
- Submit an enrolment application with required supporting documents.
- Pay any applicable application/registration fees.
- The college conducts family interviews or student discussions where appropriate.
- Offers are issued according to available places and year level demand, with timescales varying by intake and campus.
- Acceptances and enrolment confirmations complete the process, often accompanied by an orientation or welcome activities.
- 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work?
- Yes, there can be a waiting list when capacity is limited. Placement is typically determined by availability, date of application, and any priorities the school uses (e.g., sibling policy, parish affiliation, or equity considerations). Families are kept informed about their position and expected timelines.
- 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews?
- Entry generally involves an application and an interview or discussion, especially for senior year levels or where additional assessment is needed to determine support needs. There may be assessments for English and maths to help with placement and support planning, but standardised admission tests are not always required.
- 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers?
- Mid-year transfers are possible where space is available. Prospective transferring families should contact the admissions office, provide requested documents (transcripts, reports, etc.), and align with the receiving campus’s current enrolment capacity and timelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Parents Choose This School?
- A values-based Catholic education that combines strong academics with pastoral care, social development, and opportunities in sport, arts, and leadership.
- What type of student thrives at this school?
- Students who are engaged, respectful, curious, and motivated to participate in academics, faith formation, and a broad range of co-curricular activities.
- What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)?
- Accelerated or advanced coursework where appropriate, gifted and talented pathways, leadership roles, STEM clubs, sports teams, music ensembles, drama, robotics, debating, and arts programs.
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- Through emails, newsletters, a school app/portal, parent-teacher interviews, and periodic community updates via official channels.
- What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning?
- Student-centred, inclusive learning that differentiates instruction, uses a mix of instructional methods, and integrates faith formation with core curriculum and real-world relevance.
- How does the school support students who need extra academic help?
- Dedicated learning support staff, EAL assistance, targeted intervention programs, and in-class accommodations to help students access the curriculum.
- What support is available for academic challenges?
- Access to teachers, tutors, counsellors, and learning support teams to develop personalised plans and monitor progress.
- How does the school communicate with parents? (Repeated)
- See above: emails, newsletters, school app/portal, and parent-teacher meetings.
- What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available?
- A broad range of sports across seasons, plus clubs such as robotics, chess, coding, debating, music, drama, and performing arts programs.
- What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)?
- Sports grounds, libraries, science labs, music/performing arts centers, tech/innovation labs, canteen, and updated playgrounds, with additional spaces for arts and digital learning.
- What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning?
- Emphasis on digital literacy within the curriculum, use of learning management systems and devices, and a focus on safe, responsible technology use.
- What transport and accessibility options are available?
- School-provided or partner bus routes, commuter options, parking guidance, and accessibility features to support students with different needs.
- What are the typical school fees or additional costs?
- Fees vary by year level and campus, with additional costs for uniforms, excursions, and some activities. Families should contact the admissions office for a current, detailed breakdown.
Short Pros & Cons list
- Strong Catholic values and pastoral support
- Broad academic and co-curricular opportunities
- Inclusive environment with diverse learner support
- Active sports, arts, and leadership programs
- Structured wellbeing and house-based community
- Large school environment may feel busy for some students
- Fees may be higher than public options (typical for private Catholic schooling)
If you’d like, I can tailor any section further to emphasize particular programs, campus specifics, or recent initiatives at the Annandale campus.
