Motto	Walk in the Path of Justice
Address	177 Abbott Street, CAIRNS QLD 4870
Postal Address	177 Abbott Street, CAIRNS QLD 4870
Phone Number	(07) 4042 4800
Fax Number	(07) 4031 5087
Email Address	office@stmonicas.qld.edu.au
Web Site	http://www.stmonicas.qld.edu.au
Total Enrolments	677
Year Levels Offered	7-12
Student Population	All Girls
Principal	Edna Galvin
Parish Priest	The Rev Martin Kenny
Parish Number	(07) 4054 1171

About our School

As a Catholic Secondary College for young women, St Monica's is a faith community where belief in the dignity of the human person underlies our educational philosophy, structures and processes.

We aim to provide an environment where relationships reflect the example and teachings of Christ, a true sense of partnership between the home, the school and the Church is actively promoted and that learning and teaching promote the education of the whole person.

At St Monica's, each student participates to achieve personal and community goals and develop skills to assist them to face the challenges of life.

Our students are encouraged to take risks in an academically challenging context which is highly supportive. Our girls participate in a diverse range of programs whose purpose is to establish integrity, self-belief and courage. Support is given to those with different needs and students from other faiths and cultures contribute to our multifaceted community. It is a welcoming, happy environment where the girls feel that they belong.

The College is situated in the central business district of Cairns, one block from the Cairns Esplanade. St Monica's is the oldest school in the region, with rich heritage and Mercy traditions. The College is undertaking a significant building plan to complement its two heritage buildings. We are the only all girls' school in the Cairns region with an enrolment of over 670 students. Year levels 7 to 12 are offered, with both day and boarding options.

Characteristics of Student Body

All female, Years 7-12, day and boarding students.  Excellent academic, sporting and cultural results.  Active involvement in social justice initiatives and community service.

School Annual Improvement

There are several major focus areas for annual improvement in 2019 including the new building project, Visible Learning, Development of literacy and problem solving skills.

Distinctive Curriculum Offerings

St Monica`s College has a long tradition of academic excellence. The curriculum caters for students of different abilities and emphasizes the individual in the environment of a small school. The College offers a full range of Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority subjects as well as Vocational Education Training. Teaching and learning strategies focus on girls` learning styles to ensure the development of self belief and courage.

A learning enrichment program is offered to assist students to achieve their potential.

Extra Curricular Activities

As part of our vision to integrate faith and life, the College has a strong commitment to social justice. The College motto, 'Walk in the Path of Justice' reflects our Mercy heritage and is a constant reminder of our challenge to make the Good News real in the world. As a community we have an ongoing commitment to key Catholic social justice organisations and charities including Caritas, Project Compassion Appeal, Catholic Mission, the St Vincent de Paul Society, Mercy Works (the social action arm of the Sisters of Mercy) and Rosies. Students are encouraged to work to support these, along with a number of other charities and appeals. It is hoped that all students would come to appreciate that free and generous giving of one's time, energy and money to others in need, is a normal part of life.

St Monica`s students are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of extra curricular activities. These include sport, outdoor activities, performing and visual arts with emphasis on music, art, dance, drama, debating and public speaking, community service, camps and retreats and language exchange programs. An instrumental music program is available at the College. Opportunities for performances include biennial College musicals with St Augustine`s College, bands and ensembles, College choirs and the yearly St Monica`s 'Live'.

In our rich sporting programs, students from St Monica`s have the opportunity to compete in interschool, district, regional and state competitions in swimming, cross country, athletics and a wide variety of team games. 

St Monica`s offers language exchange programs with tours to Japan and Italy every two years. St Monica's also has a World War 1 tour to Europe every two years.

Social Climate

All girls are welcome to enrol at the college.  St Monica's is a very inclusive environment founded in the Mercy traditions of Catherine McAuley.

Parent Engagement

St Monica`s College has an active Parents & Friends Association which provides an effective mechanism for parents to be involved in the school and participate in discussions about all aspects of education. Families of the College contribute an annual levy to St Monica`s Parents & Friends Association, therefore the primary functions of the P & F are consultative and community building, not fundraising. Similarly, the College Board which is a pastoral advisory Board, is involved in all aspects of policy making at the College. 

During each school year, there are Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews and nights of information giving/dialogue with parents regarding curriculum and pastoral issues. Parents also see a snapshot of activities at the College by their attendance at the annual Awards Evening, `St Monica's Live' which focuses on performances and displays of curricular and co-curricular work. 

Parent Satisfaction

Parents agree:

• The College is a place of learning in a Christian environment and encourages prayer and reflection.
• always aims to improve the quality of education it provides, always strives to improve and is meeting the academic needs of their child.
• they also feel comfortable about approaching the College with any concerns they might have.
• their child enjoys the learning they do at school.
• the College encourages prayer and reflection, delivers a religious education program that is values based and meets students' need.
• the College takes parents' concerns seriously. Parents also agreed there is good two way communication between staff and parents and that their child looks forward to school.
• they are satisfied with the education their child receives from the College.

Data Last Updated Wed 22 May 2019