Transforming schools in Brisbane’s inner-city
Brisbane Catholic Education is committed to the continued strength and sustainability of Catholic secondary education in Brisbane’s inner-city, ensuring it responds to the needs of a growing, diverse and changing community.
In May 2024, the Innovating for the Future Inner-City Brisbane report was delivered to Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE). The report outlined ways its Catholic education offerings in inner-city Brisbane could be reshaped to meet future demand, enabling new opportunities for students, families and staff while responding to broader challenges across the education sector.
In 2025, BCE announced plans to build a new proposed co-educational offering in Windsor in Brisbane’s inner-north. More information on this proposed new school can be found on our New Schools page.
In 2026, following careful analysis of enrolment trends, demographic change and future demand across the inner-south, BCE has made the decision to reshape its education offering in this area to ensure long-term sustainability and to respond to the changing needs of the education and the opportunities this presents.
As part of this long-term vision, Our Lady’s College, Annerley, will transition to a co-educational secondary college from 2030. As this transition continues more information will be provided on our New Schools page.
This transformation includes the closure of Mary Immaculate Primary School, Annerley, and St Brendan's Primary School, Moorooka, at the end of Term 4, 2026, with students supported to continue their Catholic education at other local BCE schools.
This represents an opportunity to strengthen and sustain Catholic education in Brisbane’s inner-city area and embracing new opportunities while ensuring it continues to thrive for generations to come.
The following questions and answers have been developed to provide clarity about the transformation of schools in our inner-city areas, what this means for our communities, and how families will be supported through the transition.
Mary Immaculate Primary School, Annerley and St Brendan’s Primary School Moorooka
What does this mean for current students and staff of Mary Immaculate Annerley and St Brendan’s Primary School Moorooka?
- Both schools continue to operate as normal until the end of the 2026 school year.
- The wellbeing, learning and continuity of care for students and staff remain our highest priority.
- BCE will work closely with families to support students to transition to other local BCE schools.
- BCE is committed to supporting staff through this transition and help them explore opportunities at other BCE schools.
Our Lady’s College Annerley
When is the transition to a co‑educational secondary college planned for Brisbane’s inner‑south?
- The proposed co-educational secondary college is planned to open Term 1, 2030, at the Our Lady’s College site in Annerley.
- BCE must follow all relevant planning and government processes. These steps will determine the transition date for the secondary school.
What does this mean for future students of Our Lady’s College?
- Our Lady’s College will continue as a girls’ school until the end of the 2029 school year. The transition to a co-educational model will be carefully planned and staged to ensure minimal disruption. There will be minimal impact to students.
- Students will be supported by the College’s strong pastoral care, wellbeing programs and teaching staff throughout this period to ensure continuity of learning.
Why is the College transitioning to a co-educational model?
- Catholic education has been part of Brisbane for more than 180 years and has continually evolved to respond to the changing needs of families. Detailed analysis of Brisbane’s inner-south has identified growing demand for contemporary, co-educational Catholic secondary education, reflecting changing community expectations. The transition of Our Lady’s College builds on its strong educational foundations, traditions and values while evolving its offering to meet future demand and provide enhanced learning opportunities.
When will places be offered to male students, and what year level intake will begin?
- Our Lady’s College is planned to open as a co-educational secondary college from Term 1, 2030 (subject to relevant planning and approval processes). This means enrolment places for male students would be offered for the Year 7 2030 intake. Details about the year’s intake levels and staging will be shared as transition planning progresses.
Will the College name change?
- BCE will confirm the official name of the co-educational secondary college as planning progresses, in consultation with the College community. At this stage, Our Lady’s College remains the name used during the transition period, and any future name update (if required) will be communicated well in advance of the 2030 opening.
For further questions regarding the transformation of these schools, please fill out the form below and a BCE team member will get back to you.
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