EDUCATION

Parish Schools

There are three schools associated with Surfers Paradise Parish, click on the desired school to find out a little more:

ST VINCENT’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
Clear Island Waters, QLD 4226

ST KEVIN’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
Benowa, QLD 4217

How Does a Catholic School Differ From a State School?

The question ‘How does a Catholic school differ from a State School?’ is one that is frequently pondered over. Indeed, while the question appears quite simple, the provision of a succinct and accurate response is not easy to come by. While going beyond the presence of school fees, religious artefacts in the classrooms and foyers, longer school days and school holidays, many people speak of ‘the caring and sharing nature of the staff and students’ and yet this is an attribute that may also be applied to the local State School. One way to address this question is to highlight four key attributes that set the Catholic School apart from its counterparts.

Religion is a Key Learning Area

The Religion program is considered to be on an equal footing to the teaching of Mathematics, Language, and other curriculum areas. As such, the aim of the program is the enhancement of knowledge, not simply the sharing of faith, and each week several hours are devoted to instruction in this key learning area. Likewise, assessment tasks and performance indicators are on par with other subject areas.

Opportunities for Catechesis Form Part of Our Routine

While catechesis occurs most effectively in the Parish Community, there are many instances in the school’s life and routine for staff and students to foster, nurture, and support each other in their Christian faith. Class and School Masses, liturgies for special occasions, prayer assemblies, staff prayer, and class prayer are all examples of this. Participation in ANZAC Day ceremonies at school and in the community, school blessing and opening ceremonies for new buildings, are further examples of faith-building opportunities within the Catholic school setting.

Catholic Schools Comprise a 3-Way Partnership

Recently, St Vincent’s Primary School won $7000 in Pacific Fair’s ‘Dollars for Scholars’ competition. One of the reasons for the School’s success was the support given to the School by the Parish Community. Unlike the local State school, Catholic schools comprise a dynamic 3-way partnership: school, home, and Parish Community. Within this partnership, there exists a great deal of support and interaction. For example, the Parish Community provide financial support through the proceeds of the 2^nd Collection at Mass. The School Community regularly organise special children’s Masses which add colour and life to the usual routine. Also, a number of children have a regular role to play as altar servers, singers, and musicians. Through the organisation of social functions and other activities, the parent body works hard at nurturing a sense of community, supporting the roles of both the Parish and School. The ‘spirit’ that exists within our Parish-School Community is certainly something to be treasured.

The Catholic School’s Philosophy and Mission
Reflects Christian Values

Serving others has an important role to play in the Catholic school. While fundraising has a vital role to play in funding and resourcing schools, raising money to support others is held in high regard. On a number of occasions throughout the year, support is given to organisations such as Rosies, St Vincent de Paul, and Caritas. Children seem to enjoy participating in car washes, cake stalls, talent shows, and other ventures that serve to raise money in support of others. Support is also given to families in need (e.g., due to illness) and to children who have been selected to compete at an elite level in a sporting or academic area and appreciate the financial assistance to attend these events.

St Vincent’s Primary School

22 Fairway Drive, Clear Island Waters, Qld 4226

P O Box 6574, Gold Coast Mail Centre, Qld 9726

Principal: Mrs Kerry Rowlands

Email: probina@bne.catholic.edu.au

Website: www.stvincentsps.qld.edu.au

Tel: (07) 5572 1746 Fax: (07) 5575 4333

St Vincent’s is a Catholic Primary School catering for the intellectual and spiritual growth of both boys and girls from Prep to Year 7. St Vincent’s was established as a Catholic Primary School in 1948 and since then has been characterised by a strong sense of partnership between parents and teachers. The School aims to encourage parents, teachers and children to work together to create an atmosphere based on Gospel values in which the talents and gifts of each child are recognised and nurtured so that the child develops as a well-integrated person for self, others and environment.

St Vincent’s Parents & Friends

The Association has fundamental role as an instrument of consultation and collaboration between parents, administration and teaching staff. The P & F meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm in the School’s Multipurpose Room.

St Vincent’s Ladies Auxiliary

This is a mother’s communication group which allows mothers contact with each other and also with the School Community. They also help with fund raising within the School for the School.

St Kevin’s Primary School

312 Benowa Road, Benowa, Qld 4217

P O Box 7858, Gold Coast Mail Centre, Qld 9726

Principal: Ms Sue Curtis

Email: pbenowa@bne.catholic.edu.au

Website: www.sk.qld.edu.au

Tel: (07) 5539 4522 Fax: (07) 5539 2057

St Kevin’s is a Catholic co-educational Primary School at Benowa. The School was founded in 1979 and named after a deeply spiritual Irish Saint from the sixth century who founded a monastery on the lake shore of Glendalough, County Wexford, Ireland. Our patron Saint, St Kevin, obviously enjoyed a love of nature. It is fitting therefore that the School is positioned in a beautiful bush surrounding for the benefit of teaching and learning. The School is staffed by dedicated and committed Catholic teachers and school officers who promote the effective, relevant and authentic transmission of Christ’s message to the students and families in their care.

St Kevin’s Parents and Friends

The Parents and Friends Association meets every third Tuesday of the month and aims to foster the welfare and progress of the School by creating a harmonious relationship between staff and parents.

St Michael’s College

Jondique Avenue, Merrimac, Qld 4226

Principal: Mr Michael Laidler

Email: admin@stmichaels.qld.edu.au

Website: www.stmichaels.qld.edu.au

Tel: (07) 55302 722 Fax: (07) 5530 4294

Opened in 1985, St Michael’s aims to provide a sound Catholic education for secondary boys and girls to prepare them eventually to assume a mature, adult role in society.

In a framework of more than a century of Catholic education in Australia, and through the efforts of a staff dedicated to the ideals of Catholic education, the College aims to support and supplement the efforts of parents to provide educational opportunities, and a supportive community, that will prepare each child for a full, intelligent participation in the Christian life. To this end, through the education processes of a broad curriculum, the College aims to assist each child to grow and mature as a Christian person.

St Michael’s aims to provide an atmosphere of Christian community in which each student is encouraged to gain a personal relationship with his or her God, through a personal commitment to Christ, who is the essential part of his or her life. The College aims to foster a deep seated belief in all the students of their worth and potential, and of their personal responsibility to grow and mature into honest and loyal citizens, marked by integrity and dignity.

St Michael’s aims through a wide range of curriculum experiences to maximise the achievements opportunities of all students, and to foster in all students an awareness of their wider community, and an acceptance of their responsibility in justice and Christian charity for their fellow human beings.

HOME