Brisbane North’s fastest growing schools revealed

An analysis of national data has revealed the Brisbane North schools where student numbers have risen the most in the past five years.

An analysis of federal government data has revealed the schools where student numbers have risen the most.

THE Brisbane North schools that are booming have been revealed.

An analysis of federal government data has revealed the schools where student numbers have risen the most in the past five years.

Between 2013 and 2018 enrolment at Brisbane Independent School has increased by 132.4 per cent, faster than any other school in the region. Student numbers increased from 37 to 86.

Brisbane Independent School students (from left) Vicki Marshall, Finley Craig, Vivi Gilmour, Uma Williamson and Jude Winstanley. Picture: AAP/Renae Droop

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority figures are the most up to date enrolment numbers that include all state and private schools nationally.

The second fastest growing school was Ambrose Treacy College, where the student body increased by 119.5 per cent between 2013 and 2018. Enrolment numbers grew from 464 to 1019.

HOW OTHER REGIONS COMPARE

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Over those five years Indooroopilly State High School had the third biggest enrolment boom in the area, 831 more students at the school in 2018 than in 2013 — a 71.7 per cent increase.

It is the fastest-growing school in Brisbane north of the river, but Pinjarra Hills’ Brisbane Independent School still has only 92 students. And it’s not going to get any bigger.

Principal Jennifer Haynes said the school had been even smaller for about 25 years, but eight years ago the BIS community decided it was time to grow — a little bit.

“We wanted to implement a project-based learning model, which benefits from a larger cohort,’’ Ms Haynes said.

The biggest thing we have had to manage in that time is growth, which is unusual for such a small school.

“It’s been a gradual thing. We’ve have been very clear with parents on what we were about.’’

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Ms Haynes said that process was particularly important at BIS because it was a school which prided itself on all students knowing each other, and the parents knowing each other as well.

It also prided itself on ensuring everyone — parents, students and teachers — had a voice.

Some strategies it used to maintain that sense of connectedness was a regular parents’ barbecue.

Photos of students were also passed around at the start of the year so students could identify each other and get to know each other better.

Parents also could not simply drop off children and drive off — they had to get out of their cars and walk into the school with their children.

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Since opening its doors in 2015, Ambrose Treacy College in Indooroopilly has seen enormous growth.

Principal Michael Senior said, “As the only Catholic boy’s high school in the western corridor, the demand for places across years 4 to 12 has been strong, with student population more than doubling over the past five years.

“Parents have expressed the need for many years for the option of a Catholic high school for their sons in the western suburbs.

“The College will start 2020 with an enrolment in excess of 1300 students.”

Mr Senior said its success was partly due to the school’s strong sense of community and the quality of the committed staff.

“Parents are looking for school communities whose values mirror family values and our strong emphasis on forming young men who can make a difference in our world has struck a chord with many families,” he said.

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Northgate State School is also in the top 10 fastest growing schools across Brisbane North.

A Department of Education spokeswoman said an enrolment management plan was implemented at Northgate State School in September 2018 “to ensure there is sufficient capacity for in-catchment students”.

“As at February 2019, Northgate State School has 311 students enrolled, up from 217 in 2015. The school currently has a built capacity to cater for 358 students,” the spokeswoman said.

“Over the past five years the Queensland Government has invested over $621,000 at Northgate State School to ensure it has the contemporary education infrastructure it needs to cater for growth and the range of exciting and innovative programs it has on offer.

“The local area, given its proximity to public transport, the Brisbane airport and major arterial roads, along with urban renewal and higher density living, has seen this school grow steadily over recent years.

“The Department of Education actively monitors schools experiencing enrolment growth and works with school communities to ensure infrastructure needs are met as part of the school’s planning processes.”

BRISBANE NORTH SCHOOLS WITH FASTEST GROWTH BETWEEN 2013 AND 2018:

■ Brisbane Independent School, Pinjarra Hills: 132.4 per cent change

■ Ambrose Treacy College, Indooroopilly: 119.5 per cent change

■ Indooroopilly State High School: 71.7 per cent change

■ Brisbane Central State School, Spring Hill: 64.4 per cent change

■ Everton Park State High School: 54 per cent change

■ Kelvin Grove State College: 52 per cent change

■ Northgate State School, Nundah: 51.9 per cent change

■ Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology, Toowong: 47.2 per cent change

■ St Pius’ Primary School, Banyo: 44.9 per cent change

■ Mitchelton State School: 44.7 per cent change