FIVE-year-old preppie Peyton Eslick is celebrating some big 'firsts'.
He had his first day at school, he was the first student ever enrolled in the newest Gold Coast Catholic primary school, Star of the Sea School Merrimac, and he was also the first student to see the school's campus and classrooms after building works were finalised last week.
This 'Peyton-eye' first viewing of the school and classrooms happened before Peyton was joined by 43 other students from Prep to Grade 3, when term began on Monday.
The renovated and 're-imagined' campus, formerly an independent college campus and before that another religious school, opened just in time for Peyton's start to schooling, says his parents Aimee and Craig Eslick.
“We always said that we wished that a small Catholic school would open in our area," said Aimee.
“So, when we saw that Star of the Sea was opening, we knew straight away that it was exactly what we were looking for in a school for Peyton - a small Catholic school community that is close to home for our family to be a part of."
Star of the Sea School Principal Tony Barron said Peyton would join a 44-strong foundation student group, and forever be part of the school's history.
“We're a new school, built on the grounds where previously there was two other schools," he said.
“Our families have only imagined, and haven't yet seen, the open, enticing and collaborative spaces we have in store for their children.
“Peyton's visit meant he'll be not only be a foundation student but he is the first student to see his future-focused classroom with flexible learning spaces, and internal walls removed to open up the rooms.
“I'm pretty sure he'll be keen, like his fellow students, to see the 'sound house' in his classroom, and the Lego corner. We also have plans for a two-story high climbing wall, and an ecological boardwalk in later stages of our masterplan."
Aimee said she and Craig were excited for Peyton, and very proud.
“It is a privilege for Peyton to be the first enrolled child, starting in Prep. We are so excited to watch his journey and see him grow and contribute to the school's history in his coming years.
“Peyton is most excited about the new playground and his lunchbox.
“He thinks he will do lots of drawing, playing on the playground and eating what's in his lunchbox! He is excited to learn lots and have fun.
“I think the drop off may be a little hard being a new environment with new faces, but we know he will be fine after we have said goodbye and will have a great first day."
BackgroundStar of the Sea School, Merrimac the Gold Coast's newest Catholic primary school will join a community of 146 Brisbane Catholic Education Schools when it opens to students on Monday 7 February 2022.
It will open with an initial intake of students from Prep to Year 3 . An extra year level will be added each year until 2026. The school is a master-planned to accommodate approximately 550 students. The school is ideally located on 3.032 hectares, which will also include a Catholic Early EdCare Kindergarten and Outside School Hours Care service from 2022.
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.