THE latest technology and ecumenism will be important features of Unity College, Caloundra when it opens on the Sunshine Coast this week.
The new college, a community partnership between Brisbane Catholic archdiocese and the Uniting Church, is located on an 11-hectare site on the Bellvista Estate.
It will open its doors to 125 new students from Preschool to Year 4 and in Year 8 on January 24.
The college will eventually cater for up to 1400 students from Preschool to Year 12.
Foundation principal Rudy Goosem said he was looking forward to working with both Churches and the wider Caloundra community to establish a high quality education facility.
“This is a great opportunity for both myself and the local community to start a new ecumenical school and to service a growing market on the Sunshine Coast which is looking for this style of education,” he said.
Mr Goosem, who has more than 30 years’ experience in education, including five as principal of Clairvaux MacKillop College at Upper Mt Gravatt on Brisbane’s southside, said the college would focus on offering students an education that delivered not only academic skills, but also life skills and a sound understanding of traditional Christian values.
He said the college’s enrolment policy reflected the vision of an ecumenical college and foundation families are made up of a good cross-section of the Christian faiths.
“As a new school, considerable effort will be made to have a friendly induction program and ensure students’ learning and development are within an environment of respect and trust,” he said.
The college’s religious education program will be based on the Brisbane Catholic Archdiocesan Religious Education Program, which has been adapted to suit the ecumenical nature of the school.
Mark Elliott from Brisbane Catholic Education’s religious education team adapted the program in conjunction with Uniting Church minister Rev Brian Gilbert, foundation steering committee members Judy and Allan Morrison from the Uniting Church, Caloundra parish priest Fr John Dobson and Unity College’s assistant principal for religious education Carmel O’Brien.
Mr Goosem said the co-operation between the Churches in the area had been fantastic.
“Although we still have a lot to learn from each other, this represents the journey we have embarked upon in Caloundra,” he said.
He said both the Catholic and Uniting Churches would host an open church service at the school on a regular basis.
Mr Goosem said Unity College would progressively implement a Middle Years Technology Centre or “Mytec”, a specialised science and technology centre for students.
Unity had selected a strong staff from a huge number of applications (more than 350 for the teaching positions).
A four-day staff conference late last year set the scene for a powerful curriculum based on the nine key learning areas and the Gospel message, he said.
“A striving for excellence in all that we do will be a common theme as we build the college in the areas of academic, cultural, sporting and religious dimensions.”
The college’s new facilities include a resource centre, computer room, four classroom blocks and a uniform shop, tuckshop and multi-purpose rooms.
Stage 2 of the college’s building program will cater for about 800 students.
For further information phone the college office on (07) 5438 2511.
