Local school hits 100 - Australian musician to debut centennial school anthem

St Augustine’s Primary School, Currumbin Waters is celebrating 100 years in 2026!

Headlining the centenary celebrations is St Augustine’s Primary School, Australian musician and parent, Tom Busby, of the musical duo Busby Marou, who will debut a brand-new anthem with students and staff. 

To mark a century

Developed collaboratively between Tom and St Augustine’s students last year, the piece has now been adopted as the official school song. 

St Augustine’s Primary School's John Cameron said that seeing the students learn from a professional artist while contributing their own ideas showed the true spirit of the school community. 

“We are really quite lucky to have Tom as part of our parent community,” he said. 

“Our students have gained invaluable insights from the creative process of songwriting and also discovered how music can capture the spirit of a century of learning. 

“It’s a very special opportunity for our students and something they will never forget.” 

Now and then

As part of the school’s 100-year celebrations, the school also opened its heritage centre to its school community for the first time (Wednesday 28 January). 

St Augustine’s, founded in 1926 at Coolangatta by the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, was later guided by the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception between 1950 and 1992.

It made its home at Currumbin Waters in 1987 when it was relocated and has since undergone extensive renovations. Today, the school boasts 504 students.  

Former student and long‑serving teacher Alan Dick, who has taught at St Augustine’s for 46 years, reflected that school life in the 1960s was very different from what it is today.

“The school consisted of a two-storey brick building in the grounds of the magnificent St Augustine’s church,” he said.  

“Each classroom led to the verandas overlooking Coolangatta Beach, where there were no high rises like you see today. 

“Classrooms consisted of wooden floors, wooden desks and massive blackboards.” 

Mr Dick said he remembered the day commencing with the bell for prayer, followed by Angelus every day at 12 o’clock.  

“Choir practice, Friday and Holy Day masses and preparation for the sacraments were important learning experiences,” he recalls.  

“Handwriting practice, sentence writing, learning spelling and tables, maths, reading, science and history filled the day.” 

Alan remembers when the school was relocated in 1987.  

“Teachers' parents and friends moved the whole school over one weekend into the new school where it is today,” he said.  

“Not something you’d see today!” 

While Alan said that many things have changed at the school, one thing has remained consistent.  

“Our students are the centre of learning,” he said.  

“Parents support the school, and teachers are as dedicated as ever.”

Learn more about the special bond Alan and Zac share, click here.

For more information about St Augustine’s Primary School, Currumbin Waters or to enrol click here.

Image caption: Headlining the centenary celebrations is St Augustine’s Primary School, Australian musician and parent, Tom Busby, of the musical duo Busby Marou, will debut a brand-new anthem with students and staff.
©Brisbane Catholic Education, St Augustine's Primary School, Currumbin Waters (2026).