Catholic Education, Diocese of Cairns
Queensland, Australia
Motto | Educare Et Sanctificare 'To Educate and Make Holy' |
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Address | 53 Anderson Road, WOREE QLD 4868 | |
Postal Address | PO Box 259E, EARLVILLE QLD 4870 | |
Phone Number | (07) 4044 4200 | |
Fax Number | (07) 40546617 | |
Email Address | office@smcc.qld.edu.au | |
Web Site | http://www.smcc.qld.edu.au | |
Total Enrolments | 876 | ![]() |
Year Levels Offered | 7-12 | |
Student Population | Co-Educational | |
Principal | Mr Wayne Wood | |
Parish Priest | The Rev Fr Martin Kenny PP | |
Parish Number | (07) 4054 1171 |
About our School Situated in the southern suburbs of Cairns, St Mary's opened in 1986 and boasts a proud reputation for providing quality Catholic co-education for the families of this exciting and dynamic region. Inspired by Mother Mary, our College is a place where individual strengths are nurtured and developed and where faith and a sense of "family" are fundamental to who we are. The College has a strong academic focus. We offer a stimulating academic and vocational curriculum, along with comprehensive co-curricular opportunities for our students to pursue their interest in sport, the arts, and service leadership. St Mary's offers a broad technology rich curriculum delivered by quality and dedicated teachers. The College has many outstanding facilities, with exciting new building projects around the corner that will bring about more contemporary and flexible learning spaces to optimise student learning. Committed and dedicated staff work closely with parents to provide students with the supportive and caring environment essential for their spiritual, academic, social and physical development.
Characteristics of Student Body
In 2018 St Mary's had a total of 876 students with the following demographics
Attendance trend
Male
Female
ESL
Indigenous
SWD
Total
458
418
13
67
26
School Annual Improvement
SCHOOL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES (from Strategic Directions 2018-2020) Resourcing our future LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL AGENDAS ROUND THE CORNER CONSIDERATIONS IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL PLANNING
Distinctive Curriculum Offerings St Mary's offers a wide range of subjects, supported by good resources and highly trained and dedicated teachers. Students are offered a vibrant curriculum of core and elective subjects based on the Australian Curriculum for Years 7-10 and in line with the offerings of the Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority (QCAA). In the Senior School, a comprehensive range of authority and authority registered subjects are offered. Also, Vocational Education and Training School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship Programs are offered in an impressive on-site Trade Training Centre with trade qualified staff. We offer a comprehensive learning support programme for students with special needs as well as extension opportunities for the academically gifted.
Extra Curricular Activities St Mary's is justifiably proud of its students' outstanding achievements in a wide range of sport, performing arts, public speaking and debating events. Students have the opportunity to participate in music and drama productions, choir, orchestra, concert band, stage band and a range of other vocal and instrumental ensembles. Instrumental tuition is available to students through the College's Instrumental Music Program. Students are also involved in public speaking competitions such as Lions Youth of the Year, Rostrum Voice of Youth, Cairns Junior Speakers Contest, and Rotary Debating. There is a wide variety of sporting opportunities including Rugby Union, Rugby League, Cricket, Soccer, Basketball, Swimming and Athletics. St Mary's is proud to be a part of the Confraternity Rugby League and QISSN Netball carnivals. Seniors and Juniors compete in the CISSA (Cairns Interschool Senior Sporting Association) each year. Students have the opportunity to participate in the Trinity Coast South Trials and Peninsula Championships and many students progress to State and National Titles.
Social Climate The College has a fundamental belief in the promotion of a Catholic spiritual and religious ethos. This is achieved through staff formation, life-giving relationships and formal Religious Education. We believe in the uniqueness and dignity of each individual. We endeavour to encourage each member of our community to be inner-directed, responsible, compassionate and just. Students, staff and parents learn best in situations of loving relationships and mutual respect. Hence, examples of forgiveness, honesty and integrity are evident in the conduct of all who would participate in our community. St Mary's is a Catholic school which follows traditional Catholic values and therefore takes very seriously its call to be a voice for and educate the underprivileged and marginalised in our society. The Responsible Thinking Process is designed to foster the highest levels of respect for all people and to allow individuals to develop a sense of respect for themselves. A retreat program runs in all year levels, providing students with the opportunity for personal and communal prayer and reflection. Each student belongs to a Homeform group which is facilitated by one teacher. There is also a Pastoral Leader who oversees each Year level, caring for student wellbeing and managing behavioural expectations. Heads of Year are specialists in the respective age group of the students that they are guiding and are well versed in the typical developments and behaviours associated with that age group. Counselling services are provided by the College with professional counsellors on staff, as well as a Careers Counsellor and an Indigenous Education Liaison Officer. A Campus Minister exists to provide a spiritual support base for students and staff. St Mary's does not tolerate bullying and has established a culture where this is not accepted by students. Bullying and its consequences are regularly the focus of Social and Emotional Learning classes which are conducted weekly. St Mary's follows clear guidelines when responding to bullying issues and looks to work with all involved to bring about change.
Parent Engagement St Mary's recognises that parents and families play an important role in supporting their child's education. Parent engagement is more than being involved and informed about school activities. The College actively looks to engage parents and works closely with the College's P&F Association and College Board to improve outcomes for students.
Parent Satisfaction Parents strongly agree that:
Data Last Updated Wed 20 Nov 2019
Qualification Highest level of attainment | Doctoral / Post-doctoral | Masters | Bachelor degree | Diploma | Certificate |
Number of staff with this qualification | 0 | 5 | 34 | 23 | 2 |
Workforce composition |
Headcount | FTE (Full-time equivalent) |
Teaching Staff | 79 | 72.98 |
Non-Teaching Staff | 59 | 40.97 |
Indigenous | 3 | 2 |
Total funds expended on teacher professional development$67901
Teaching Staff Involved in Professional Development100%
Major Professional Development Initiatives
Average staff attendance rate for the school year, based on unplanned absences of sick and emergency leave for periods up to 5 days97%
Percentage of teaching staff retained from the previous school year89.00%
Staff Satisfaction Teachers strongly agree that:
Data Last Updated Tue May 14 2019
YR 7 | YR 8 | YR 9 | YR 10 | YR 11 | YR 12 |
94.77% | 94.27% | 93.13% | 90.71% | 93.65% | 93.82% |
In line with the Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns guidelines and procedures for school attendance and truancy, St Mary's Catholic College fosters a school culture based on 100% attendance. Every student absence requires an explanation and acceptable reason. Early intervention and action are paramount where absences are becoming habitual.
The Year 12 Completers Survey www.qld.gov.au/nextstep, is conducted approximately six months after students complete Year 12. It is a summary of the post-school destinations of students from St Mary's College - Woree who completed Year 12 and gained a Senior Statement in 2018. 78 out of the 133 (58.6% response rate) Year 12 completers from this school responded to the 2019 survey. Due to the low response rate, care should be taken interpreting the results.
In 2019, 89.7% of Year 12 completers from St Mary's College - Woree were engaged in education, training or employment in the year after they completed school.
Of the 78 respondents, 56.4% continued in some recognised form of education and training. The most common study destination was bachelor degree.
A further 33.3% transitioned directly into paid employment and no further study.
St Mary's Catholic College undertook a School Results Survey in July 2018. The survey revealed that the greater proportion of students at the College:
Data Last Updated Mon Nov 18 2019
Reading | Average Score for the school | 541.6 |
Average Score for Queensland | 549.4 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 96% | |
Writing | Average Score for the school | 494 |
Average Score for Queensland | 506.4 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 86.9% | |
Spelling | Average Score for the school | 542.1 |
Average Score for Queensland | 554.7 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 92.6% | |
Grammar and Punctuation | Average Score for the school | 544.7 |
Average Score for Queensland | 553.8 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 99.4% | |
Numeracy | Average Score for the school | 551.5 |
Average Score for Queensland | 549 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 96% |
Data Last Updated Thu May 30 2019
Reading | Average Score for the school | 586.1 |
Average Score for Queensland | 590.1 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 97% | |
Writing | Average Score for the school | 523.8 |
Average Score for Queensland | 543.4 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 73.4% | |
Spelling | Average Score for the school | 588.4 |
Average Score for Queensland | 590.4 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 94.7% | |
Grammar and Punctuation | Average Score for the school | 584.7 |
Average Score for Queensland | 598.3 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 98.2% | |
Numeracy | Average Score for the school | 582.2 |
Average Score for Queensland | 587.5 | |
% students at or above the national benchmark | 92.9% |
Data Last Updated Thu May 30 2019
No Naplan Data AvailableAustralian Government recurrent funding$3,142,111
State/Territory Government recurrent funding$783,153
Fees, charges and parent contributions$391,720
Other private sources$170,217
Total gross income (excluding income from government capital grants)$4,487,201
Income allocated to current capital projects$29,586
Income allocated to future capital projects and diocesan capital funds$0
Income allocated to debt servicing (including principal repayments and interest on loans)$89,404
Subtotal$111,035
Total net recurrent income$111,035
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Cairns meet their annual reporting requirements under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (the Act) Section 423 (1) by updating their information on this section of the Cairns Catholic Education website. Information contained in each section of the report relates to the previous calendar year. The required information is published by 30 June each year, excepting post-school destinations data for Year 12 completers which is published by 30 September.