Sneak peek: Latest Gold Coast school St Joseph’s Coomera College ready for the new year

BEHIND THE SCENES: Construction on the Gold Coast’s latest $18 million college is close to completion as the first day of school draws near.

CONSTRUCTION on the Gold Coast’s new $18 million college is close to completion as the first day of school draws near.

St Joseph’s College Coomera, a state of the art Prep to year 12 school was built to cater to the rapidly growing population on the Northern Gold Coast.

Though the gates of the school remain locked and builders are still on site, St Joseph’s has registered 247 students for 2019.

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First look at Gold Coast's newest school ,St Josephs Coomera. Interior and exterior shots of the school, which is still to be fitted out. Picture Glenn Hampson

Foundation Principal Paul Begg who could not contain his excitement about welcoming the new cohort, said there were only a few places left for the new year.

“We have had a few welcomes and the kids have been really excited, all of them, not just the preppy's,” Mr Begg said.

“There is not a lot of anxiety because everyone is going to be the new kid, there are no outsiders.”

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St Joseph's College Coomera foundation principal Paul Begg.

The school ultimately will cater for more than 1,800 students from Prep to Year 12, but is only accepting the enrolment of students in Prep to Year 3 and Year 7.

Its first Year 12 students will graduate in 2024.

,St Josephs Coomera. Picture Glenn Hampson

The sports hall at St Joseph’s Coomera. Picture: Glenn Hampson

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Mr Begg who previously worked head of the secondary campus at Southern Cross Catholic College at Scarborough and at Nudgee College said the new role was a dream job.

He had been based at the college’s enrolment office at the Pimpama Junction Shopping Centre since mid last year.

“It is an amazing opportunity to be part of the foundation, I heard about the plans four years ago,” Mr Begg said.

“In terms of the education, rather than school of excellence we want an excellent school where our students are challenged.

“I am under no illusions that we are a new school and therefore have to build our reputation as educators from the ground up,” he said.

St Josephs College Coomera. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Some of the classrooms at St Joseph’s College Coomera. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Some of the specialist classrooms at the new $18 million complex. Picture: Glenn Hampson

The masterplanned 10 hectare site on Kerkin Road South, between Dreamworld and Pimpama has a generous conservation area, a pond, long walkways and a number of large halls.

Each year level has a specialist learning centre.

Prep to year four students will also have a specialist teachers for drama, music design and technology.

“We believe teachers with specific expertise, challenge and reward the students and allow them to experience more than one adult on a day-to-day basis,” Mr Begg said.

The new uniform at St Joseph's College Coomera.

The college colours of teal, maroon and gold all hold special meanings for the college.

“Teal stands for the sisters of Saint Joseph, the Gold is for the sands of the Gold Coast and the red is for the Coomera river, which is life blood of the region.”

Up to 21 teachers and 10 support staff have been employed by the school for the opening.

St Joseph’s College Coomera is not the only school set to open in the area.

The State Government had last month revealed plans to build the Coomera High School later this year, and open in 2020.

The entrance of St Joseph’s College Coomera. Picture: Glenn Hampson

The new school’s interior. Picture: Glenn Hampson