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  • Primary school
13 Feb 2025

​©Brisbane Catholic Education, St Finbarr's School, Ashgrove (2023).​​

​As South-East Queensland continues to experience rapid population growth, Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) is witnessing an increase in enrolment applications across its schools.   

In response to this heightened demand, BCE will expand its Prep intake across 16 schools in 2025, aligning with the demographic shifts and rising student numbers across the region.  

Growth areas for BCE schools include inner-city Brisbane, Beaudesert, Gold Coast, and Springfield Lakes.  

BCE schools seeing major growth in inner-city Brisbane include St Anthony’s School Kedron, St Finbarr’s School Ashgrove, St Agatha’s Primary School Clayfield, St Thomas’ School Camp Hill, and St Elizabeth’s School Tarragindi. All these schools will introduce an additional stream of Prep in 2025.   

St Finbarr’s School Principal Catherine Connors said positive parent testimonials were driving an increase in enrolment numbers.    

“Parents love hearing about schools from other parents,” she said.   

“We have a fabulous parent community that proactively shares the great things happening at our school.  

“We have students who love learning who are supported by their wonderful families and an exceptional teaching team excited about innovation and excellence in learning and teaching.   

“Initiatives such as our high potential learner framework and inspirational learning days are also opportunities for all our students to shine.   

“St Finbarr's is a place of inspired learning with heart.”  

St Agatha’s Primary School Principal Anne-Marie Maw said families are advocates for their school.    

“Our parents’ support plays a vital role in attracting new families looking for a caring, supportive, and welcoming educational environment for their children,” she said.  

“Our partnerships with local kindergartens further enhance this appeal for prospective parents.   

“These collaborations create a seamless transition for children moving from early childhood education to primary school, allowing them to feel familiar and supported in their new environment.   

“It's a great responsibility and an absolute privilege to have a family choose our school for their child.”   

BCE Executive Director Dr. Sally Towns said, “BCE proactively responds and adapts to the needs and demands of our communities across our 146 schools across South-East Queensland.”  

"While BCE has responded to growth in large greenfield areas like Yarrabilba, Aura, and Coomera, our focus will also remain on improving facilities at our existing schools, meeting the needs of our growing region,” she said.   

“BCE is dedicated to fostering thriving, faith-filled learning g communities that align with the needs of our expanding communities, creating a better future for all.”   

Catherine adds, “At the beginning of 2024, we were thrilled to open two new Prep classrooms”.   

“As our school continues to grow, we are committed to updating our play spaces and learning areas,” she said.   

Anne-Marie adds, “We have relocated the library to make way for new classrooms and are currently also revitalising the area outside the front office to make it an open-air learning space”.  

“Our art department will also be moving to a new location in 2025, providing a space that maximises learning for each student,” she said.  

For more information about St Finbarr’s School Ashgrove or to enrol click here.  

For more information about St Agatha’s Primary School Clayfield or to enrol click here.