CONCRETE has officially been poured as Cairns’ newest school Newman Catholic College begins to take shape.
Representatives from Cairns Catholic Education, James Cook University, Bryant Building Contractors, TPG Architects and other consultants signed concrete trowels at the Newman Catholic College site, to commemorate completion of the school’s ground floor concrete being poured last week.
The trowels will later be displayed at the College, located on the grounds of JCU, Smithfield. Foundation
Principal Lauretta Graham said it was important to show gratitude for the immense work that had already gone into Newman Catholic College.
“The builders have been working so very hard to keep the buildings progressing according to schedule – through sun, rain and a cyclone,” she said.
“The efforts of these men and women will remain for hundreds of years.
“They are building our sacred place of learning for generations to come.
“It is also important that our First Nations people are part of this celebration.”
James Henderson, project manager for Bryant Building Contractors, said crews had been pouring the main slabs through the night to avoid traffic congestion.
“We cannot maintain the required flow and volume of concrete for these large pours during the day, due to the traffic,” he said.
“The colder temperatures also avoid issues of heat stress on the workers and assist in placing the concrete.
“We will be pouring vertical elements and slabs for the next couple of months and then commencing installation of structural steel, glazing and services.”
Newman Catholic College will open with a Year 7 cohort in 2022 initially and add a year level each year to be a full Year 7-12 secondary college by 2027.
It is the first Catholic school in Australia to be colocated with a university.
Dr Graham is continuing to hold enrolment interviews ahead of first-round offers in May. Expressions of interest suggest the school will exceed its previously projected total of 750 students by 2027.
“Families are excited about the co-location with the university and the opportunities and different ways of learning that are being planned,” Dr Graham said.
“They like the idea that students can negotiate parts of their curriculum.
“The opportunities for leadership, as the first cohort, are also a draw card.”
The temporary Newman Catholic College office, opposite K-Mart in Smithfield Shopping Centre, has been equipped with iPads so that families can complete application forms in real time, with hands-on assistance from Dr Graham or office support staff.
Hard copies of the form are also available at the office, or by emailing office.newman@cns.catholic.edu.au. Online applications can be made at newman.qld.edu.au/apply-online.
Applications are welcome at any time and where vacancies exist, successful applicants will be offered a place.
However, prospective families are encouraged to apply now as demand for enrolments is strong.
There is no fee to apply to enrol and there are no geographical enrolment catchments.
“Don’t miss out on this fantastic journey – it is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Dr Graham said.
“Come ready to introduce your wonderful young person to me. I cannot wait to invite you in.”
