Catholic Education, Diocese of Cairns

Queensland, Australia

(07) 4050 9700
  • Home
  • About
    • Catholic Education in the Cairns Diocese
    • The Catholic School Difference
    • History
    • Bishop’s Message
    • Executive Director’s Welcome
    • Reconciliation
    • Vision, Logo and Motto
    • Strategic Directions
    • Church Structure and Governance
    • Catholic Education Services
    • Funding
    • Policies, Directives and Guidelines
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Conduct, Complaints & Grievances
    • Safeguarding Children
    • Links
  • Our Schools
    • Search Catholic Schools in the Cairns Region
    • Newman Catholic College
    • Outside School Hours Care
    • 2021 School Annual Reports
  • Enrolling
    • Mythbusting FAQs
    • Who can Enrol?
    • Apply to Enrol
    • Fees and Discounts
    • Starting Prep
    • Early Learning & Care
  • Your Education
    • Religious Education
    • Curriculum
    • Contemporary Learning
    • Assessment and Reporting
    • Languages
    • Vocational Education & Training (VET)
    • Diverse Learners
      • Enrolment Support and Transitions
      • Students with Disability – Education Adjustment Program
      • Planning for Students
      • Specialist & Support Services
        • Cairns Catholic and Independent Schools Therapy (ACCIST)
      • Therapy and Disability Awareness
      • Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)
      • Gifted and Talented
      • English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D)
    • International Education
    • First Nations Peoples
    • Resource Centre
    • Continuity of Learning
  • Our School Communities
    • School Boards and P&F Executives
      • Constitutions
      • Formation Readings
      • The modern Catholic school
      • Formation Videos
      • Code of Ethics
      • Templates
      • Grants
      • Prayers for Meetings
    • Information for Parents
      • Term Dates and Pupil-Free Days
      • Scholarships and Bursaries
      • School Transport Assistance
      • Student Care Insurance
    • The Reading Room
      • Raise Magazine
      • Links to best practice in parent engagement
      • Student Health and Wellbeing
        • A modern Catholic guide to the mass media
      • Ideas for the modern Catholic school
      • Inclusive Education
    • Parent Engagement
      • Parent Involvement at School
      • School boards and P&Fs
      • Parent engagement in student learning at home
      • Getting ready for Prep
      • Volunteer Training
    • Catholic Faith Perspectives
      • The modern Catholic school and religious education
      • Information for non-Catholics
      • Reflections on Faith and the Catholic School
        • Readings and commentary
        • Prayers and Reflections
          • Prayers and Reflections 2021
          • Prayers and Reflections 2020
        • Pope Francis
    • Education Updates
  • Careers
  • News & Events
    • Media & Communications
    • Critical Incidents & School Closures
    • Coronavirus COVID-19
      • Coronavirus COVID-19 Archived Updates and Advices
      • Coronavirus COVID-19 Resources
    • Raise Magazine
    • Latest News
    • Catholic Education Week
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Details
    • How to make a complaint
Home > Latest News > New Cairns School Ready for Reveal
post

New Cairns School Ready for Reveal

23/12/2021 By snutt

Cairns’ newest and most innovative school has given key stakeholders an exciting first glimpse of the building ahead of its 2022 opening.

The first stage of Newman Catholic College, co-located with James Cook University in Smithfield, is complete after a mammoth 12-month construction phase and the purpose-built rooms are being fitted with furniture and technology in preparation for students to walk through the door.

Bishop of Cairns James Foley, JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Sandra Harding AO, JCU Cairns Campus Director Dr David Craig, Diocese of Cairns Acting Chief of Operations Bill Dixon, Cairns Catholic Education Services Acting Executive Director Dr Andrea O’Brien and Newman Catholic College Principal Dr Lauretta Graham have toured the school, ahead of a planned formal handover.

The new, four-level building of approximately 7,000m² contains five design technology classrooms, four science lab classrooms, a library and administration area, and an indoor PE court. It also features open and collaborative learning environments with sweeping landscape views and quiet retreat spaces.

Newman Catholic College in Smithfield
JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Sandra Harding AO, Newman Catholic College Principal Dr Lauretta Graham and Bishop of Cairns James Foley toured Newman Catholic College ahead of its opening in 2022.

Dr Graham said the College was designed to support and nurture innovative thinkers. She thanked all the workers, contractors and managers who had worked around the clock to make it a reality.

“Standing on the site a year ago, we would never have imagined what could be achieved in such a short time, especially through the challenges of a long wet season and the many impacts of COVID 19,” she said.

“Our new, technology-rich environments will deliver a greater impact than the more traditional spaces, and our carefully-selected teachers are comfortable using digital resources to enhance teaching and learning.”

Professor Harding said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming Newman staff and students in the new year.”

“The College will be an exciting addition to the range of education opportunities on the north side of Cairns.”

JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Sandra Harding AO, Newman Catholic College Principal Dr Lauretta Graham and Bishop of Cairns James Foley toured Newman Catholic College ahead of its opening in 2022.

It comes as Newman Catholic College reveals its revolutionary range of study options, including game development, robotics, marine sciences, personal finance and orienteering.

From Term 1, students can choose elective subjects such as Dance, Drama, Instrumental Music, Visual Arts, Photography, Engineering, Game Development, Food Technology, 3D Design, Outdoor Education: Orienteering, Italian or Japanese.

From Term 2 and beyond, students can also choose to study Personal Finance, Robotics, Performing Arts, Marine Science – Extension, Health and Sport Science and Outdoor Education: Active Learning.

Some rules will be in place to ensure students are exposed to a variety of learning material.

Newman Catholic College in Smithfield

“Although students in Year 7 would traditionally not have the opportunity to select subjects, creating subjects that integrate multiple learning areas allow us to provide students with choice while they experience a broad range of subject areas,” Dr Graham said.

“A key element of our mission is to always remain relevant, contemporary, adaptable and agile enough to respond to future change.

“Our aim over the next five years is to further explore opportunities for working in partnership with JCU, other schools, industry and government to continue providing the best for each individual student.”

Newman Catholic College is the first Catholic school in Australia to be co-located with a university.

It will add a new year level every year to be a full Year 7-12 secondary college in 2027.

For more information, visit the Newman Catholic College website here.

Back

Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: catholic, catholic school cairns, college, new cairns school, newman, secondary school cairns, technology

Latest News

  • Principal Profile: Narelle Hunt, Mount St Bernard College, Herberton
  • Future-Proofing Teaching in the Far North 
  • Stage Two of State-of-the-Art Catholic College Underway
  • Staff Spotlight: Shana Backshall on Changing Careers
  • CES Farewells Lifelong Contributor
  • Principal Profile: Ruth Mallon, Mother of Good Counsel School, North Cairns
  • Novel Idea: Students Share Love of Books
  • Staff Spotlight: Shannon Grantley, Highly Accomplished Teacher
  • Principal Profile: Glen Seivers, St Augustine’s College, Parramatta Park
  • Official Opening of Cairns’ Newest Catholic College
Policies Safeguarding Children Conduct, Complaints & Grievances

Enrolling

  • The Catholic School Difference
  • Our Schools
  • Search Catholic Schools in the Cairns Region
  • Who can Enrol?
  • Apply to Enrol
  • Fees and Discounts
  • Scholarships and Bursaries

For Parents

  • Term Dates and Pupil-Free Days
  • Parent Engagement
  • School Boards and P&F Executives
  • The Reading Room
  • Critical Incidents & School Closures
  • School Transport Assistance
  • Student Care Insurance
  • Federation of Parents & Friends Associations
  • Cairns Diocesan P&F Council

Quick Links

  • Links
  • Resource Centre

Staff Links

  • Staff Portal
  • Staff Email
  • School CMS
  • Help Desk
NCSS
  • Aboriginal Flag
  • Torres Strait flag
  • We acknowledge the First Nations peoples of Australia, the traditional custodians of the land, seas, skies and waterways on which we reside, work, travel and meet. We pay our respect to First Nations elders past, present, and emerging, and support the Uluru Statement From The Heart. We acknowledge that the land, seas, skies and waterways of Australia were, are and always will be, that of the First Nations peoples.

Copyright © 2023 Catholic Education, Diocese of Cairns | Log in | Copyright | Privacy | Web Disclaimer | Conditions of Use

Join Us!

(07) 4050 9700