Brisbane’s school with view is maximising opportunities for its students through a bumper extra-curriculum program.
Holy Cross School Wooloowin, which boasts iconic city skyline views, was expanding the horizons of its students as it plans for the future.
Principal Simon Mahaffy said while the school produced strong academic results due to quality teaching and a supportive, individualised approach to learning, it took a holistic approach to student development.
Mr Mahaffy said Holy Cross has a strong tradition of social justice outreach and taught children the value of empathy and supporting others.
“Our school motto ‘With God for Others’ inspire us to reach out to those in need.”
He said activities ranged from sport, robotics, visual arts, music and even a gardening club.
“Because we are a smaller school it gives the children a better chance to take part in activities that they may not be able to in a larger school with greater competition for places.”
Mr Mahaffy said more than a third of all students took part in the after-school Arts program with a specialist Arts teacher.
He said excellence within school hours was also reflected in consistently strong academic results.
Mr Mahaffy said the school’s Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN results were excellent this year, with achievements significantly above the Mean Scale Score for Queensland and Australia in all areas.
“We had 90 percent or more of our students achieve in the top 2 proficiency standards for Year 3 Numeracy, Year 3 Grammar and Punctuation, Year 3 Reading, Year 5 Reading, Year 5 Numeracy, Year 5 Spelling and Year 5 Grammar and Punctuation,” he said.
“Our students and staff are focussed and dedicated, and through our explicit teaching and individualised support, our students can flourish.
“Our community is so excited about the great learning that occurs which motivates us to continue to challenge ourselves.”
Mr Mahaffy said Holy Cross students also enjoyed a spacious outdoor environment which belied the school’s location.
“For an inner-city school, we have space. We have an oval, three different playgrounds and dedicated Prep precinct,” he said.
“This will also be an exciting area to watch in 2025 as we begin Stage 1 of our new Master Plan with a renovation to our Prep area and a new Junior Playground.”
The location is also a bonus for parent’s accessing the Brisbane Catholic Education school.
Mr Mahaffy said because the school was located in a quiet street it allowed for easy drop off and pickup as well as being close to Wooloowin train station.
It also has a close partnership with Evolving Minds, the new early learning centre that opened in 2024.
“Catering for children from 6 weeks old through to Kindergarten, Holy Cross and Evolving Minds have create a meaningful pathway making Morris St Wooloowin an education hub for early childhood and primary school education.”
