Community
13 February, 2022
Newman Catholic College welcomes their first-ever cohort
THIS Monday, children returned to school after an extended holiday due to COVID-19.
The students at Newman Catholic College were not the exception; the difference is they are starting at the newest school in Cairns, which also happens to be the first Catholic school co-located with a university.
The 142 Year 7 students at Newman Catholic College are pioneers. They are the first ever to set foot in the new facilities, and they are the first cohort as the school will add a new level each year, reaching Years 7 to 12 in 2027.
The school has a four-level building of approximately 7,000m2 and contains:
• Five design technology class rooms
• Four science lab classrooms.
• A library and administration area
• An indoor PE court
The College is co-located with James Cook University and currently has 26 staff members and 142 Year 7 students.
Newman Catholic College Principal Dr Lauretta Graham said it was an exciting beginning for the school community.
“Our students are wearing their masks, we have increased the cleaning and the sanitising routines, we have cancelled our assemblies and large gatherings,” Dr Graham said.
“It’s a tough start for our students and staff, but they are very resilient, and I’m sure they will adapt to keep everyone safe.
“This is currently our first stage; next year, we’ll have Year 7 and Year 8, and the building has the capacity for both; in 2023, we are building for Year 9 and 10.
“Every second year, we build.
“We’re a non-conventional school. Every space, inside and out, is designed to be used as a learning space.
“And our staff are truly pioneers that are eager and ready to do what they need to do to kickstart this fantastic college.”
Year 7 student Liv White said she was thrilled to start high school at Newman.
“I was one of the student supervisors, so I came here before anyone else came, and there were only around 10 to 12 students, and now it’s 142; it’s unbelievable,” Liv said.
“The school it’s huge, it looks small on the outside, but the inside is magnificent.
“I’m most excited about all the learning opportunities we’ll have and about going out because we have the university and the rainforest right next to us.”
Pupil Harley Hall said he was excited about exploring the new building.
“I’m excited about seeing the school because it’s new, and that’s pretty cool,” Harley said.
“It’s very exciting and also nerve-wracking to be in a new school, but it’s like getting into a new adventure.”
Director of TPG Architects, Roger Mainwood, said it was inspiring to see the finished project.
“We did the first sketch in October of 2019 for master planning the site, which will go over three stages, and here we are two years and two months later,” Mr Mainwood said.
“The build was about 11 months; there were a lot of COVID hiccups which makes it amazing to be able to deliver in the timeframe over such a difficult year and to have the children populating the building.”
Every two years, Newman College will expand to bring in a new cohort of students, and they expect to have all high school levels by 2027.
But, for now, the Year 7 students are the explorers who will mark the beginning of Newman College’s history.
