St Augustine's College - Cairns

1. Overview St Augustine's College in Cairns is a Catholic school serving students within the Queensland education framework. The college emphasises faith-informed learning, character development, and community involvement, with a focus on preparing students for life beyond school. The campus is medium-sized, offering a supportive and inclusive atmosphere that balances academic rigour with opportunities in sport, arts, and service. Class sizes are designed to enable individual attention and strong teacher-student relationships, fostering a positive, values-based culture. - School type: Catholic - School size: Medium - Class size: Approximately 20–25 students - Atmosphere/culture: Nurturing, inclusive, academically focused ⸻ 2. Academics & Learning The college aims to build strong foundations across core subjects while developing leadership, resilience, and critical thinking. Strengths commonly highlighted include English, STEM, and leadership programs, with an emphasis on preparing students for future study or work. Special programs may include gifted/talented options and accelerated pathways, integrated faith-based education, and opportunities for leadership development. The school participates in standard Australian/Nation-wide assessment frameworks and tracks trends to monitor progress over time. - Academic strengths: English, Mathematics, STEM, leadership programs, languages - Special programs: Gifted and Talented, accelerated learning, faith-integrated curriculum, leadership development - NAPLAN / trends: National assessments tracked with a focus on year-to-year trends; stable to improving in key areas over recent cycles (verify current year data with the school) - Student-teacher ratios: Roughly 1:15–1:20 (varies by year and subject) - Support for diverse learners: EAL and SEN support; targeted interventions and learning support staff ⸻ 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths Extracurricular life is a major consideration for many parents, with a mix of sport, arts, and clubs that cater to diverse interests. - Sports offered: Common regional offerings such as football codes (e.g., soccer, rugby), basketball, athletics, swimming, and other locally available programs - Strong teams or achievements: Regular participation in regional competitions with emphasis on teamwork and sportsmanship - Music, arts, drama programs: Active music ensembles, drama productions, and performing arts opportunities - Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating, and other STEM/academic clubs - Partnerships: Local clubs, community partnerships, and regional competitions for extended opportunities ⸻ 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care Wellbeing and pastoral support are central to student success, helping students navigate school life with resilience and respect. - Anti-bullying approach: Clear policy with restorative practices and supportive reporting mechanisms - House system: House-based pastoral care framework to foster belonging and healthy competition - Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school counsellors and wellbeing staff for emotional and social support - Transition support for new students: Orientation programs, buddy systems, and transition planning ⸻ 5. Facilities Facilities are a key draw for families, providing spaces that support learning, creativity, and recreation. - Sports grounds: On-site oval/fields and courts - Libraries: On-site library with study spaces - Science labs: Modern laboratories for practical experiments - Music/performing arts centers: Dedicated spaces for music ensembles and drama - Tech/innovation labs: ICT/technology spaces supporting coding and digital projects - Cafeteria: On-site canteen or lunch facilities - Updated playgrounds: Safe, well-maintained play/assembly areas ⸻ 6. School Values & Community Culture Families look for a school where students develop as responsible, respectful citizens within a faith-informed framework. - School values / mission: Catholic ethos with a focus on integrity, service, respect, and academic excellence - Leadership style: Collaborative, student voice opportunities, servant leadership - Behaviour expectations: Clear codes of conduct with consistent application; restorative approaches - Community reputation: Positive standing within Cairns and the local Catholic education community - Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to welcoming students from diverse backgrounds and fostering belonging ⸻ 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations Clear logistics help families plan around school routines and commitments. - School hours: Typical schooling day from start to finish (times may vary by year level) - Before/after school care: Wrap-around care or supervised programs may be available - Uniform requirements: On-site uniform policy with standardized attire - Transport (train/bus routes): Regional bus services or school bus routes serving the Cairns area - Canteen availability: On-site canteen or lunch program - Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Fees align with mid-range for independent Catholic high schools in the region ⸻ 8. Enrolment & Admissions 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline? - Submit an application with required documents (identity, academic records, and any school-specific forms) - Pay any application fee and complete interviews or information sessions as requested - Receive a provisional or firm offer by the stated timeline - Confirm acceptance and complete any enrolment paperwork by the deadline 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work? - Some year levels may have limited places, leading to a waiting list - Offers are made based on availability, date of application, and any selection criteria - Families are kept informed of their position and expected timelines 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews? - Interviews or information sessions are common - Some years may require assessments or testing, along with verification of prior schooling and records - Religious suitability and family readiness may be considered as part of the process 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers? - Mid-year transfers may be possible subject to space and compliance with enrolment requirements - Prior academic records and placement considerations help determine suitability ⸻ 9. Frequently Asked Questions - Why Parents Choose This School? Parents value the Catholic, values-based education, supportive pastoral care, and a community environment that blends academics, sport, and the arts. - What type of student thrives at this school? Students who are engaged, motivated, collaborative, and open to service-oriented activities usually thrive, along with those who benefit from strong pastoral support. - What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)? Gifted and Talented pathways, leadership opportunities, a range of sports teams, music ensembles, drama productions, robotics/chess/coding clubs, and regional competitions. - How does the school communicate with parents? Regular newsletters, timely emails, parent portals or portals, formal parent-teacher interviews, and social media updates. - What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning? A student-centered, inclusive approach combining direct instruction, inquiry-based learning, and assessment for growth; emphasis on value-driven Education with pastoral care. - How does the school support students who need extra academic help? Targeted learning support, access to tutors or specialists, remedial programs, and in-class differentiation. - What support is available for academic challenges? Dedicated learning support staff, progress tracking, and individualized plans to help students catch up or advance. - How does the school communicate with parents? (Duplicate question) See above: newsletters, portals, interviews, and digital communications. - What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive? Class sizes typically around 20–25, with teachers able to offer targeted feedback and extra help during and after school. - What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available? A broad mix of sports (regional offerings), music and drama programs, and clubs such as robotics, chess, coding, and debating. - What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)? Sports grounds, libraries, science labs, music/performing arts centers, tech/innovation labs, cafeterias, and updated play areas. - What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning? Integrated ICT with a focus on digital literacy, coding, and appropriate use of devices to support learning. - What transport and accessibility options are available? Regional bus routes and transport options; accessible campus design and facilities. - What are the typical school fees or additional costs? Fees fall in the mid-range for similar Catholic high schools; additional costs may include uniforms, books, excursions, and activities. ⸻ 10. Short Pros & Cons list Pros - Catholic, values-based education that supports character and academic growth - Medium-sized, supportive community with strong pastoral care - Broad opportunities across academics, sport, arts, and clubs - Clear communication channels with families and a focus on inclusion - Modern facilities and dedicated learning spaces Cons - Fees fall in the mid-range for independent Catholic schools (consider related costs such as uniforms and trips) - Transport options depend on location; may require planning for families outside the immediate area - Class sizes, while supportive, may vary by year level and subject; some courses may have larger groups ⸻