First day for Qld’s newest school, St Joseph’s College Coomera

It will be first-day nerves all round this week, as Queensland’s newest state-of-the-art school opens its doors for the first time.

IT WILL be first-day nerves all round at Queensland’s newest school this week, as the state-of-the-art St Joseph’s College Coomera opens its doors for the first time.

Principal Paul Begg, who was appointed in April last year, said he was “excitedly nervous” to finally welcome his initial crop of pupils after being based at the school’s enrolment office while the site was developed.

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“There is a fair bit of pressure ... we want to make sure we get it right,” Mr Begg said.

“Primarily what we want is for the kids to develop great character, and to create a school which is challenging, robust and fun.

“We’ve spent the last 10 months in the Pimpama Junction shopping centre, and I’ve met a lot of young families who are choosing to move into the area.”

Mr Begg said the initial intake of about 250 kids from prep to Year 4, and Year 7, would double in 2020, and again in 2021.

Jasmin Matuzic, Amber Matuzic, principal Paul Begg, Jett Mead and Matilda Pearce get ready for the first day of school at St Josheph's College. Picture: John Gass/AAP

The multimillion-dollar school was set to eventually house more than 1800 students at all junior and senior year levels across the 10ha site.

“We’re maintaining 2ha of the site as environmental space for education,” Mr Begg said.

Parent Danielle Matuzic has three children starting at St Joseph’s College this week – daughter Mackenzie will be entering Year 3 and twins Amber and Jasmin who are beginning prep after the family relocated from Sydney to the Gold Coast last year.

“We really liked the fact it was going to be a new school, and it already has a strong, community feel to it,” she said.

“We’re all very excited and looking forward to it.”

St Joseph’s College under construction at Coomera