Far North’s fastest growing school revealed for 2023

Far North Queensland’s fastest growing schools – and the ones going backwards – have been revealed. Search the enrolments of 140+ schools in our interactive.

Far North Queensland’s fastest growing schools – and the ones going backwards – have been revealed.

An analysis of federal government data has revealed every Far North Queensland region school’s student enrolment trajectory over the past five years – exposing where student numbers have risen and declined the most.

MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter in the southern suburbs of the Cairns region is Far North Queensland’s fastest growing school, with enrolments increasing by 176 per cent in the five years from 2018 to 2022.

Principal Janelle Newman said it had been thrilling to watch the rapid expansion of the school from its inception in 2016.

“It has been rewarding and a real blessing to see our college grow and see our children flourish academically, socially and spiritually,” Ms Newman said.

“The greatest thing has been to see the way our college community has grown together.”

The school continues to increase enrolment, welcoming four new prep classes in 2024 and planning to teach up to Year 12 in 2025.

“Our growth has been amazing due to the development of Mount Peter but largely because of our great teachers, contemporary learning spaces and families who value education and want their children to have the best opportunities for their future,’ Ms Newman said.

Prep student Evie Hansen said her favourite part of school was “learning” while classroom friend Cayden Wertheim said he enjoyed “playing with friends” on the monkey bars.

Year 10 student Tiara Thao, who has been with the school since it begun, said it felt like a big family.

“The teachers are very inspiring, they are really encouraging,” she said.

MacKillop Catholic College at Mount Peter is the fastest growing school in Far North Queensland, with an increase in enrolments of 176 percent over five years. MacKillop Catholic College Grade 10 students Rose Sims, 15, and Tiara Thao, 16, study for their end of year exams and essays. Picture: Brendan Radke

The second fastest growing school was Cairns School of Distance Education in Manunda with a 101 per cent change while Laura State School in Cape York recorded the third biggest change with a 100 per cent increase.

Meanwhile, the analysis also highlighted the Far North schools in decline with Mirriwinni State School near Babinda recording a 55 per cent drop over five years.

Mount Surprise State School in Etheridge shire was the second school going backwards for enrolment with a 52 per cent drop and Karumba State School in The Gulf of Carpentaria was the third with a 50 per cent decline.

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

Schools with fastest growth from 2018-2022:

MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter: 176 per cent

Cairns School of Distance Education: 101 per cent

Laura State School: 100 per cent

Mundoo State School: 74 per cent

St Rita’s School: 73 per cent

McDonnell Creek State School: 57 per cent

Mossman State School: 47 per cent

Daintree State School: 42 per cent

Butchers Creek State School: 36 per cent

Trinity Anglican School: 34 per cent

Schools in decline from 2018-2022:

Mirriwinni State School: 55 per cent

Mount Surprise State School: 52 per cent

Karumba State School: 50 per cent

St Teresa’s School: 49 per cent

Silkwood State School: 47 per cent

Forsayth State School: 44 per cent

Lakeland State School: 41 per cent

St Rita’s School: 40 per cent

Bellenden Ker State School: 40 per cent

Bartle Frere State School: 36 per cent

Originally published as Far North’s fastest growing school revealed for 2023