Varsity College

This article is about the college in Queensland, Australia. For the university in South Africa, see Varsity College (South Africa).

Varsity College Australia
Address
Map
198 Varsity Parade Varsity Lakes, Queensland

Gold Coast
,
Queensland
,
4227

Australia
Coordinates28°04′41″S 153°24′40″E / 28.078°S 153.411°E / -28.078; 153.411
Information
TypeIndependent primary/secondary state day school
MottoDare to Dream[1]
EstablishedJanuary 2001 (2001-01)[2]
Executive principalNigel Hughes
GradesP–12
Enrolment3,400 (August 2023)[2]
LanguageEnglish
Hours in school day8:30 to 2:40
Houses        Rainbow, Burleigh, Miami, Kirra
Colour(s)      Navy, gold, and grey
Websitevarsitycollege.eq.edu.au[2]

Varsity College is a primary and secondary school in Varsity Lakes (Queensland, Australia).

Infrastructure

On 25 July 2001, Stage 1 of the school was officially opened by Hon Peter Beattie (Premier of Queensland).[3] On 13 August 2002, stage 2 of the school was officially opened by Anna Bligh (Queensland Minister for Education), a project costing $18 million (State and Federal Government funding). In 2002, the school opened a secondary campus, then known as "Varsity College Middle School".[3]

On 3 April 2004, the school's Senior Sports Centre, Performing Arts Centre and the Senior General Learning building were officially opened by Senator George Brandis.[3] In 2005, the "Lake Orr" footbridge, connecting both campuses, had been constructed.[3] In 2010, the Senior Learning Centre (SLC), originally known as the "Chinese Language & Cultural Centre of Excellence", was officially opened by Hon John-Paul Langbroek.[3] In 2015, the Junior Learning Centre was officially opened.[3]

In 2019, an outdoor multi purpose sports court (known as "The Hanger"), was built at the secondary campus.[3]

School leadership

In 2001, on the school's opening year, Mr Micheal Roberts was the Preparatory School Principal and Mrs Julie Grantham was the College Principal.[3] Since then, the school has had multiple principals:

Principals
Principal Years
Julie Grantham 2001[3]–2002[citation needed]
Tracey Cashman 2002–2004[citation needed]
Mike Kelly 2004–2005[citation needed]
Jeff Davis 2005–2015[citation needed]
Steven McLuckie 2015–2018[citation needed]
Sharon Schultz 2018[3][4]–2023[5]
Nigel Hughes 2023–present[6]

Students

Years

In 2002, with the opening of the school's then "Middle School", the school enrolled students for years 4 - 9.[3] In 2005, the school enrolled students for year 12, inducting the school's first premier College Captains.[3]

Class sizes

The trend in the average size of classes has been: -

Movie Premiers
Year Years
Prep – Year 4 – 6 7 – 10 11 – 12
2016 23 25 26 20[7]: 4 
2017 24 26 25 21[7]: 4 
2018 23 26 25 19[7]: 4 
2019 24 27 24 19[8]: 3 
2020 22 26 24 20[9]: 2 
2021 22 26 23 19[10]: 2 
2022 21 26 23 19[11]: 2 
2023 TBA TBA TBA TBA

Student enrolments

In 2023, Varsity College was reported to have a maximum student enrolment capacity of 3,619 students.[12] The number of students entering Prep in any given year must not exceed 200 in 8 classrooms, unless there are more than 200 students enrolling from within the catchment area.[12] With respect to the school's "Programs of Excellence in Academic, Cultural and Sports Excellence", the school has an enrolment capacity of:[12]

  • 425 students - Academic Program of Excellence
  • 400 students - Cultural Program of Excellence
  • 300 students - Sports Program of Excellence

Upon opening in 2001, the school had an initial cohort of 354 students from preschool to Year 3. In 2006, Varsity College reached over 2,500 enrolments across both campuses.[3] The trend in school enrolments (August figures) has been:-

Year Years Boys Girls Total
Prep 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
2014 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 1,592 1,477 3,069[13]
2015 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 1,606 1,500 3,106[14]
2016 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 1,593 1,513 3,106[7]: 3 [15]
2017 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 1,655 1,568 3,223[7]: 3 [16]
2018 209 221 212 216 200 233 233 362 332 338 289 170 254 1,694 1,575 3,269[9][7]: 3 [17]
2019 179 222 223 222 217 223 249 341 350 323 311 258 161 1,618 1,598 3,279[9][8]: 2 [18]
2020 184 176 235 231 224 240 341 347 339 337 307 276 233 1,729 1,641 3,370[9]: 2 [19]
2021 180 189 180 238 228 227 241 335 350 327 312 283 255 1,700 1,645 3,345[10]: 2 [20]
2022 172 183 197 186 247 230 237 367 329 353 294 289 260 1,609 1,654 3,344[11]: 2 [21]
2023 TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA 3,400[2]

Attendance

The trend in student attendance has been: -

Year Years Overall
Prep 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
2016 93% 93% 94% 93% 94% 94% 95% 93% 92% 90% 89% 91% 91% 92%[7]: 10–11 
2017 95% 93% 93% 94% 94% 94% 93% 93% 91% 90% 89% 92% 92% 92%[7]: 10–11 
2018 94% 94% 94% 94% 93% 94% 93% 93% 90% 90% 88% 91% 92% 92%[7]: 10–11 
2019 94% 94% 94% 94% 94% 94% 93% 92% 91% 89% 89% 90% 90% 92%[8]: 8 
2020 93% 92% 92% 92% 91% 91% 91% 91% 90% 89% 89% 90% 89% 91%[9]: 7 
2021 95% 94% 94% 94% 93% 93% 92% 91% 89% 87% 89% 88% 88% 91%[10]: 7 
2022 91% 90% 91% 91% 90% 90% 89% 87% 85% 84% 83% 87% 84% 87%[11]: 7 
2023 TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

Discipline

The trend in student discipline has been: -

Movie Premiers
Year Short Suspensions
1 – 15 days 		Long Suspensions
6 – 20 days 		Exclusions Enrolment
Cancellations 		Total
2016 223 2 10 9 244[7]: 8 
2017 249 15 6 9 279[7]: 8 
2018 290 8 10 4 312[7]: 8 
2019 306 10 11 3 330[8]: 6 
2020 163 6 4 1 174[9]: 5 
2021 308 25 10 3 346[10]: 5 
2022 192 42 8 5 247[11]: 5 
2023 TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

Curriculum

Languages

The school's language department offers Mandarin from prep to year 12.[2] The school also runs an English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) support team.[2]

Sports

Participation

During the school year, students participate in a range of carnivals, including cross country running, track and field, and swimming.[22] Age champions are awarded for students who excel in these fields.[22]

House system

The school has four sporting houses, named after "iconic" Gold Coast beaches:[22]

Current House System
House Name Colour Mascot Student Surname Gold Coast Beaches
Burleigh   blue barracudas A B C D Burleigh Beach
Kirra   yellow sharks E F G H I J K Kirra Beach
Miami   green rays L M N O P Q Miami Beach
Rainbow   red serpents R S T U V W X Y Z Rainbow Beach

In 2002, the series The Sleepover Club was shot and partially produced at the school.[3]

The college has appeared in Sea Patrol.[citation needed]

Notable alumni

Sport

Name Sport Top Level Team/Affiliation
Charlotte Hammans[23] Australian rules football Carlton, Gold Coast
Havana Harris[24] Australian rules football Gold Coast
Leo Lombard[25] Australian rules football Gold Coast
Sienna McMullen[26] Australian rules football Gold Coast
Jake Rogers[27] Australian rules football Gold Coast
Kwame Yeboah[28] Soccer Australia (U23)
Kiah Melverton[29] Swimming Australia
Maddy Gough[30] Swimming Australia

References

  1. ^ "Prep to Year 3". Varsity College (www.varsitycollege.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Varsity College". Education Queensland International. Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. Archived from the original on 22 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Our History". Varsity Life (www.varsitylife.com.au). Archived from the original on 8 April 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Yesterday we said a sad farewell to Mrs Sharon Schultz". Woodridge State High School (www.woodridgeshs.eq.edu.au). 13 October 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024 – via Facenook (www.facebook.com).
  5. ^ "Executive Address: Mrs Sharon Schultz | A Final Farewell From Mrs Sharon Schultz". Varsity College (www.varsitylife.com.au). Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Executive Address: Mr Nigel Hughes | A Warm Welcome – Our New Executive Principal Mr Nigel Hughes". Varsity College (www.varsitylife.com.au). Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Varsity College – Annual Report – 2018 – Queensland State School Reporting" (PDF). Varsity College (www.varsitycollege.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. 2018. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d "Varsity College – Annual Report – 2019 – Queensland State School Reporting" (PDF). Varsity College (www.varsitycollege.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. 2019. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d e f "Varsity College – School Annual Report – Queensland State School Reporting – 2020" (PDF). Varsity College (www.varsitycollege.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. 2020. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d "Varsity College – School Annual Report – Queensland State School Reporting – 2021" (PDF). Varsity College (www.varsitycollege.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d "Varsity College – School Annual Report – Queensland State School Reporting – 2022" (PDF). Varsity College (www.varsitycollege.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. 2022. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  12. ^ a b c "Varsity College". Education. Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  13. ^ "Varsity College, Varsity Lakes, QLD". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  14. ^ "Varsity College, Varsity Lakes, QLD". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  15. ^ "Varsity College, Varsity Lakes, QLD". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  16. ^ "Varsity College, Varsity Lakes, QLD". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2017. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  17. ^ "Varsity College, Varsity Lakes, QLD". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2018. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  18. ^ "Varsity College, Varsity Lakes, QLD". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Varsity College, Varsity Lakes, QLD". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2020. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  20. ^ "Varsity College, Varsity Lakes, QLD". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  21. ^ "Varsity College, Varsity Lakes, QLD". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  22. ^ a b c "Sports". Education Queensland International. Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  23. ^ "Sideline Talks Round 1". Varsity Life. 25 February 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  24. ^ "Our AFLW and AFL Champions". Varsity Life. 11 October 2024. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  25. ^ "Our Senior ASPIRE AFL Players Kicking Goals". Varsity Life. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  26. ^ "McMullen idolising top SUN". Gold Coast Suns. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  27. ^ "Alumnus Jake Rogers to make his AFL Debut for the Gold Coast SUNS". Varsity Life. 19 April 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  28. ^ "Brisbane Roar Home". Brisbane Roar. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  29. ^ "VC Alumni Head to the Tokyo Olympic Games". Varsity Life. 18 June 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  30. ^ "Olympic Athletes and College Alumni Visit". Varsity Life. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2024.