MORE parents across south-east Queensland are choosing Catholic schools for their children as student numbers jumped 3.2 per cent on last year’s enrolments.
Student numbers in Catholic schools grew more than 28 per cent over the past 10 years as 60,512 students filled classrooms in 133 Catholic schools run by Brisbane Catholic Education across Brisbane archdiocese last week.
Executive director of Catholic Education David Hutton said there had never been a higher amount of students enrolled in Catholic schools in south-east Queensland than in 2008.
“The significant growth in enrolments indicates the value families place upon faith-based education and high quality education for their children,” he said.
Serving the ever growing northside of Brisbane, St Benedict’s School at Mango Hill, is a new school with Prep to Years 3 while St Eugene’s College at Burpengary began providing secondary schooling this year.
Among other schools experiencing growth were St Stephen’s Primary School, Algester, which welcomed the first ever Year 7 group, and Unity College, Caloundra West, where Years 6 and 10 were introduced.
Mr Hutton said while growth in enrolments was gratifying, it was important the Catholic Church expanded its mission into new and growing areas of south-east Queensland.
