Logan’s fastest growing schools revealed
Unprecedented growth in southeast Queensland is more than just a numbers game. Two of the region’s largest schools tell how staffing and curriculums have increased their popularity.
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The Logan schools that are booming have been revealed with two large high schools standing out.
An analysis of federal government data revealed the schools in Logan where student numbers rose the most in the past five years.
According to the statistics, between 2013 and 2018 enrolment at Logan’s YMCA Vocational School increased by 388.9 per cent, faster than any other school in the region.
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Marsden State High, which had 2199 students enrolled in 2018, the highest number in Logan, experienced a 21 per cent increase over the past five years.
The school, which has been breaking records in rugby league, science and languages, has the second largest year 8 cohort in Queensland, behind only Brisbane State High School.
Principal Andrew Peach said the school’s growth was a reflection of the expanding community, strong teaching staff and a diverse curriculum.
He said the growth at the school was monitored through an enrolment management plan.
“We are one of Queensland’s leading schools for in-catchment enrolments and are very proud of the work we do within our community in Logan,” he said.
“I believe the success of a range of programs in academic, vocational, sporting and performing arts have helped ensure parents in our catchment have high levels of confidence that their kids will get the very best education at Marsden SHS.
“Our school popularity is a reflection of the outstanding opportunities offered by our staff.
“Our academic excellence programs ensure parents have a strong understanding that their students will be challenged to be successful in their chosen pathways.
“Next year, we’ll also be continuing to look for opportunities to improve and innovate as we help to lead education in Logan and across the country.”
Marsden State High recently chalked up national and international awards from QUT, the Education Department, the Queensland College of Teachers, The Commonwealth Bank and the Australian Education Awards.
Mr Peach said public and private schools visited to learn from his school’s expert teaching team who delivered programs aligned university partners from Queensland, nationally and internationally with Harvard University.
But it was the diverse range of subjects that was also a major drawcard.
HOW OTHER REGIONS COMPARE
The school’s Mana@Marsden program, a drawcard for construction students, works with indigenous elders on Stradbroke Island.
Its Chinese language program was also popular with students travelling to China, to deepen their language skills.
Its successful NASA trip to the US for STEM students was also a draw card along with its performing arts program and Sporting Excellence programs.
Next year, the school will continue to see growth after the first Prep cohort graduates from Yr 12 at the end of this year.
The Education Department has committed approximately $20 million for facilities to build a new STEM Centre of Excellence and Performing Arts Centre, along with recently opened airconditioned classrooms and the Sporting Centre of Excellence.
Beenleigh State High School is another large Logan school which has seen unprecedented growth.
Principal Matt O’Hanlon said a new building was added to the school this year to cater for the growth in numbers.
“That’s our school’s first new building since 1980 which really shows how we have grown.”
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority figures are the most up to date enrolment numbers that include all state and private schools nationally.
According to the latest public data that includes public and private schools, student numbers have grown from 81 to 396, the fastest growth in the region.
The second fastest growing school was Mabel Park State High School, where the student body
increased by 96.5 between 2013 and 2018. Enrolment numbers grew from 461 in 2013 to 906 in 2018.
Over those five years, Logan City Special School had the third biggest enrolment boom in the
area with 68 more students at the school in 2018 than in 2013 — a 66.3 per cent increase.
Schools with fastest growth between 2013 and 2018
YMCA Vocational School: 388.9 per cent change
Mabel Park State High School: 96.5 per cent change
Logan City Special School: 66.3 per cent change
Beenleigh Special School: 59.7 per cent change
Beenleigh State High School: 58.1 per cent change
Eagleby South State School: 43 per cent change
Saint Philomena School: 41.5 per cent change
Park Ridge State High School: 38.0 per cent change
Shailer Park State High School: 35.8 per cent change
Shailer Park State School: 31.2 per cent change
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