THE Gold Coast’s newest Catholic primary school at Merrimac will be named Star of the Sea School, reviving memories of one of the area’s popular former schools.
The new Star of the Sea primary school is planned to open in 2022 with an initial intake of students from Prep to Year 2.
An extra year level will be added each year until 2026.
The school is master-planned to accommodate approximately 550 students.
Brisbane Catholic Education Executive Director Pam Betts said the school at 16 Ghilgai Rd had already received strong interest from the local community.
“Brisbane Catholic Education continues to open new schools across the wider Gold Coast region and we remain committed to providing high quality and affordable Catholic schooling for young families in Merrimac and surrounding areas,” Ms Betts said.
“We look forward to working with members of the local parish, community representatives and families to create a caring and inclusive new school at Star of the Sea, which will welcome all those who share our values,” she said.
The former Star of the Sea secondary school on the Gold Coast was run by the Mercy Sisters from 1899 until its closure in 1990.
The school and its grand convent building were a feature of Southport early in the 20th century.
Our Lady, Star of the Sea is an ancient title for the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ.
The title emphasises Mary's role as a sign of hope and as a guiding star for Christians, especially those who travel or seek their livelihoods on the sea.
Her Feast Day is celebrated on September 27.
The Latin translation of Star of the Sea is Stella Maris – the name adopted by the Broadbeach Catholic Church.
The new Star of the Sea will be the fourth Catholic school in the Surfers Paradise parish, which provides pastoral support to each school. Archbishop Mark Coleridge has endorsed the name of the new school.
Expressions of interest for Star of the Sea’s first classes will be available on the Brisbane Catholic Education website from Monday 15 June 2020.
Brisbane Catholic Education will expand to 144 schools next year when secondary schools open at Sophia College at Plainland and San Damiano College at Yarrabilba.