Learning Courage, Faith, And Mercy At Catherine McAuley College, Mackay

From little things big things grow was a great way to describe the growth of Catherine McAuley College, Mackay, according to Principal Jim Ford.

“I think we would be quite unique in terms of our dramatic change in student and staff numbers for the start of the 2025 academic year,” Mr Ford said.

The Catholic co-educational College has commenced its fourth year of operation, having opened in 2022 with the expansion plan seeing the College add a new Year level each year until 2027 as it steadily builds to a full secondary school for Years 7 to 12.

Built on the site of the former Sugar Research Institute, a world leader in sugar research for over 50 years, the college is looking to lead the way in Catholic Secondary education well into the next 50 years and beyond.

“Most importantly, though, we are all about young people and their experience of school at Catherine McAuley College,” Mr Ford said.

“Everyone is new at the start of Grade 7. It’s an exciting and an anxious time for most with an array of uncertainties; ‘Will the teachers be nice? Will I make friends? Will the classwork be challenging? Will I know where to go?”

The answer to all the above, Jim Ford said, is YES.

“High school is an exciting time full of new experiences, challenges, changes, and a much broader curriculum than students have experienced so far in their educational journey,” he said.

“Our dedicated and passionate teachers and staff at Catherine McAuley College are here to make it happen supporting students and their families every step of the way,” Mr Ford said.

“It’s extraordinary growth and very much in line with forecast demand from a growing number of families choosing a Catholic secondary education, with our Senior phase to commence as of 2026 and enrolment enquiries are welcome now for year 11,” Mr Ford said.

Catherine McAuley College, striving to live the values of Learning, Courage, Faith and Mercy.

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