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04 Feb 2026
“It’s a launchpad to success in secondary school!” – Holy Spirit College, Fitzgibbon Acting Principal Andrew McEwan.
The transition from primary to secondary school has never been easier thanks to a cutting-edge program at Holy Spirit College Fitzgibbon that sees students unlock the secrets of secondary Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) education before they start Year 7.
Acting Principal Andrew McEwan said, as a new College they wanted to create connections with their surrounding primary schools, while also finding a way to support the neighbouring Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) students as they transition from primary to secondary school.
“When developing our College’s Primary School Transition Program for Year 6 students we had to consider, ‘what does a graduate of 2027 and beyond look like, what future skills will they need?’,” he said.
“For us, it was a no-brainer to develop a STEAM transition program.
“Not only will students need STEAM knowledge and skills for their futures, but it’s also the foundation for many secondary subjects as students, especially as students near Year 11 and 12.”
The BCE schools who are currently participating in the Primary School Transition Program include: St Flannan’s School, Zillmere St Kevins School, Geebung St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Bracken Ridge St Dympna’s Parish School, Aspley Sacred Heart Primary School, Sandgate Andrew adds, “the benefits of the program are clear”.
“Through engaging students in STEAM exploration, future scholars learn to not only make sense of the world around them and develop context for what’s ahead in secondary school, but they also have the opportunity to build connections, familiarity, and identity within our College,” he said.
“The program also allows our educators to see what knowledge students already have in STEAM, so when their first day of secondary school comes around both staff and students feel prepared.” Andrew adds the program is a reciprocal partnership between schools.
“The program is also an opportunity for BCE’s primary educators to shadow our educators, see our teaching practices in person, and pick up techniques that can build independence in Year 6 learners as they prepare them for secondary school,” he said.
“Primary educators can than take these practices in their own Year 6 classrooms helping learners build critical thinking, skills they will need in secondary school.”
Andrew said, “transitions are not exclusive to primary and secondary school”.
“We engage with our parent community from Year 3 onwards, touching base with families throughout the year and engaging students in a variety of activities that get them interested in secondary education,” he said.
“We also have students who start in the later years.
“Every transition is unique and our College will continue to work with families to ensure the transition to our College is as seamless as possible for our students.”
As part of the program Holy Spirit College students were selected for the University of Queensland Science Ambassador program, which saw them mentor in STEAM.
“The Science Exchange with St Dympna’s Primary School allowed our students to lead and engage Year 6 students as a part of this Transition Program,” Andrew said.
“Our Year 8 and 9 students also worked with Sacred Heart Primary School Year 2 students to innovate and apply Visual Art techniques to the co-creation of a mural.
“The mural focuses on environmental sustainability and Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ encyclical promoting care for our common home. “Our senior phase students supported the St Kevin’s Primary School ‘Spotlight on STEM’, highlighting knowledge and skills learned from the innovative curriculum offerings at the College, while also developing a passion for STEM in primary school students.” Holy Spirit College will continue to expand their transition programs in 2026.
For more information about Holy Spirit College, Fitzgibbon or to enrol
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Image caption: St Dympna’s Parish School, Aspley students with Holy Spirit College, Fitzgibbon students. ©Brisbane Catholic Education, Holy Spirit College, Fitzgibbon (2025).
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