Top 10: Fastest growing Mackay region schools revealed
An analysis of federal government data has revealed the Mackay region schools where student numbers have risen the most in the past five years.
Mackay
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THE five years between 2013 and 2018 were significant for enrolment at schools throughout the region but the highest achiever by far was Mackay Northern Beaches State High School.
Mackay's newest state high school recorded an increase of more than 217 per cent - greater than any other school in the region.
Student numbers at the school have grown from 293 to 930, the fastest growth in the region.
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority figures, the most up to date enrolment numbers, include all state and private schools nationally.
Mackay Northern Beaches SHS opened in 2013 with Years 7 and 8 and grew exponentially, which partially explains its rapid expansion.
However, the school also services Mackay's fastest growing suburbs, the Northern Beaches, where residential and commercial development is abuzz.
Mackay Regional Council predicts these suburbs will grow by more than 1100 additional residents in less than two years, by 2021.
The second fastest growing school in the region was Carlisle Adventist Christian College, where the student body increased by 102.0 between 2013 and 2018. Enrolment numbers grew from 102 in 2013 to 206 in 2018.
Carlisle College's head of high school Craig Young said one of the main factors of significant enrolments was continuity in leadership and staffing within the school.
"Prior to 2011 we had four different principals in a short time. The current principal has developed a new culture within the school, resulting in changes to student attitudes and a renewed emphasis on positive behaviour management and improved educational outcomes," Mr Young said.
"We experienced steady growth from 2013-2017 but in 2018, with the addition of Year 11 students, a new building program and increased staffing, enrolments reached more than 200 by the end of the year."
Mr Young said while the school was conducting enrolment interviews weekly, the plan was to cap classroom numbers at 25 for both the senior and junior schools.
Over those five years Gargett State School had the third biggest enrolment boom in the area 10 more students at the school in 2018 than in 2013 - a 66.7 per cent increase.
Schools with fastest growth between 2013 and 2018
Mackay Northern Beaches State High School: 217.4 per cent change
Carlisle Adventist Christian College: 102.0 per cent change
Gargett State School: 66.7 per cent change
North Eton State School: 44.4 per cent change
Cannonvale State School: 34.0 per cent change
Mercy College: 33.7 per cent change
Bucasia State School: 33.2 per cent change
Sarina State High School: 26.5 per cent change
Moranbah State High School: 25.8 per cent change
Valkyrie State School: 22.2 per cent change
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