Townsville Catholic Education has announced the opening of a new Catholic secondary school in a bid to keep up with the region’s growing population. Source: Townsville Bulletin.
With 11 Catholic schools within Townsville, Mary Help of Christians Catholic College will be Townsville’s first Catholic coeducational secondary college catering to the city’s growth areas of Shaw, Bohle, Mount Louisa, Burdell, Mount Low and Kirwan.
Townsville Catholic Education’s executive director Jacqui Francis said the rapid population growth, particularly in the north and west regions, had placed significant pressure on coeducational secondary colleges in the area.
“The 2021 Australian Census data showed that Catholic education market share increased in Townsville by 4.83 per cent for primary enrolments and 5.48 per cent for secondary enrolments,” Ms Francis said.
The first stages of the new school will be constructed in 2024, with the planned opening at the commencement of the 2025 school year.
The school will cater for 120 Year 7 students in 2025 and eventually provide education to 1000 students.
The selection of the school’s name, Mary Help of Christians Catholic College, has been endorsed by Townsville Bishop Timothy Harris.
“Mary Help of Christians is not only the Patroness of Australia, but she is also the Patron Saint of the Townsville Diocese, embodying the Catholic belief in Mary as an intercessor who prays with and for us to God,” he said.
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Mary Help of Christians Catholic College to open 2025, Townsville (By Bethany Westwood, Townsville Bulletin)
