A NEW school with an ecumenical focus opened on the Gold Coast last week.
Jubilee Primary School at Gaven, on the northern end of the Coast, is a first for Brisbane archdiocese.
The school opened with a better than expected enrolment of 220 students.
It was developed and constructed with the input and co-operation of the Catholic, Uniting, Anglican and Apostolic Churches.
It covers St Mary’s Catholic parish at Oxenford, the Uniting Church districts of Helensvale and Coomera, the Anglican parish of Biggera Waters and the area embraced by the Father’s Heart Church, a member of the Apostolic Church of Australia.
Brisbane Catholic Education provided the school structure and administration while the participating Churches provided a pastoral and community focus.
Brisbane Catholic Education director David Hutton said the Catholic Church was delighted to provide the framework and sponsorship for the venture.
“Inter-Church co-operation is a high priority for all major Christian Churches today,” he said.
Jubilee Primary School principal, Greg Casey, said the four denominations combined under the one roof had provided an obvious but exciting challenge.
“We have had great support from all four of the local ministers who have met with the staff to outline the focus of the school,” he said.
“The staff have been totally committed to the whole concept.”
Jubilee School will cater for children from preschool to Year 7.
The new school has proven so popular in the Gaven community that the developers of the land release surrounding the school have named it Jubilee Rise.
The school boasts eight classrooms, a library, administration block and preschool.
There is also an undercover recreational area and full-size football field.
The name of Jubilee Primary School was chosen after careful consideration to reflect a contemporary image and the number of Church groups in the Gaven and Gold Coast community.
The school is owned by and will operate under the auspices of the Brisbane Catholic Education Office.
