Enrolments are open - construction is underway – and a Foundation Principal announced for Brisbane Catholic Education’s (BCE) newest school - Notre Dame College, Bells Creek.
Construction of Stage 1 of the Prep to Year 12 Catholic co-educational College starts this month (December 2023) and will continue throughout 2024 ahead of opening in January 2025.
BCE Executive Director Dr Sally Towns announced Dan McShea, former Unity College Principal, as Foundation Principal of the College.
“Notre Dame College is our newest flagship Sunshine Coast school in the heart of the growing Aura community,” she said.
“Dan McShea is an experienced educator with deep roots in the community.
“The school, its community, its construction, and formation are in good hands in his leadership.”
Dan McShea said student enrolments are now open for 2025 to 2027, and families can apply to enrol online via the school’s website.
“It’s an honour and an amazing opportunity to lead a Prep to Year 12 school of this magnitude from its inception,” he said.
“I could not be happier to be involved in establishing the school’s culture and building a community of excellent educators and school leaders.”
Father Joshua Whitehead, Caloundra Catholic Parish, said his parish community were looking forward to welcoming and embracing new College families.
“This is an exciting time for the Catholic community on the Sunshine Coast and it’s a unique opportunity to connect with many families and teachers who are new to the area,” Fr Joshua said.
“Notre Dame College will be an inclusive Catholic community built for people who are at different places in their faith journeys.
“We’re building on the long tradition of Catholic schooling on the Sunshine Coast, and we’re excited to be starting with such experienced people developing this new school.”
Notre Dame College will have the capacity to welcome a cohort of up to 200 students at the beginning of the 2025 school year in Prep, Year 1 to Year 3, and Year 7. The College will welcome 15 school staff initially and continue to grow each year to cater for more than 1800 students and employ 280 staff upon completion in 2030.
Stage 1 of the College on a 7.9-hectare Aura Boulevard will include five buildings comprising of general learning areas, administration block, sports court, and carpark.
Mr McShea said a temporary school office at Stockland Baringa is set to become the centre for student enrolment interviews, the recruitment of school staff, and a place for welcoming new families prior to school buildings being completed.
The Notre Dame College motto will be ‘Compassion, Courage, and Hope’.
For more information on Notre Dame College go to the Enrol tab.
Notre Dame College Deputy Executive Director Durm O'Riordan, Principal Dan McShea, and Father Josh Whitehead Caloundra Catholic Parish.