The Cathedral School, Townsville
Encyclopedia
The Cathedral School of St Anne and St James is an Australian Anglican
school for boys and girls from six weeks of age (Early Learning Centre on The Cathedral School campus) to Year 12, including boarding students from Year 7 to Year 12.
The school is situated in the Townsville suburb of Mundingburra, Queensland
and is open to students of all denominations.
During World War II
the school was acquired by the Australian Military for use as barracks accommodation for the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force
(WAAAF)of No. 3 Fighter Sector RAAF. The school's students were evacuated to Ravenswood, Queensland
until the WAAAF finished using the premises in 1944/45.
The school moved to its current premises in Mundingburra in 1958. Over the next 20 years the school settled into its new site and built a number of new buildings to service both boarders and day students. In 1979 the school became co-educational and the school's first male principal was appointed.
In 1985 the new Music and Drama center was opened while a year later the new Technical Art's building was finished. Two years later, In 1988 the new Akins boy's dormitory was opened. In 2001 a major works project was undertaken and resulted in the redevelopment of the senior school precinct and the building of the Nancy Armati Quadrangle and SSA (Sisters of the Sacred Advent) Block consisting of ten new air conditioned classrooms and computer laboratories. These buildings were opened in 2002.
In 2006 work started on a purpose built facility for young children, now known as the Early Learning Center (ELC) the building was finished in 2007 and accommodates all pre-prep students. Soon after the completion of the ELC work began on an expansion of Akins dormitory to replace the two other aging boys dormitories. This work was completed shortly before the commencement of the 2008 year and has allowed all boys to be housed in a single dormitory.
network and laptops are easily available for flexible use within classrooms.
The senior school is the home of the Feetham Information Services Centre (ISC) which services the Middle and Senior schools. The ISC houses a complete range of text and reference books for the school's curriculum and also houses large fiction and non-fiction sections. The ISC also keeps a collection of local newspapers for a period of three to four months after publishing and has a vertical file storage system for articles of importance or are related to the schools curriculum. The ISC also has access to hundreds of Australian and international newspapers stored in a digital format and articles can be retrieved on request. The Information services center also has a large computer section which students can use to access the school's network in their free time or during some classes. A multimedia computer is also available for use and is configured for use with the schools digital cameras, a scanner and camcorders.
The senior school also houses the schools drama and music centre. The Green Hall, formerly the boarders' dining hall, is now used as the drama hall and has been fitted with a stage, seating and the appropriate lighting and sound equipment. The center also includes a number of rooms of varying sizes used for rehearsal and practise for various music groups and individuals. The main music room, the fishbowl (as it is affectionately known due to its large glass double-glazed windows), is a sound insulated room which allows for performance groups and individuals to practise within school hours without disturbing other students.
The Sisters of the Sacred Advent block (The SSA building) is the main teaching block in the senior school and is used for a variety of classes from English and maths to geography and graphics. The building, built in 2002 houses 10 purpose built classrooms as well as a number of staff offices. Three of the rooms in the SSA building are fully equipped computer laboratories which can be used by classes that require computer usage.
The senior school is also the planned location for a combined lecture theatre and teaching block which will take the place of the aging single story science block (SC Block).
program. The outdoor education program aim to develop skills in survival as well as be a practical application for many subjects including Biology, Geography, History, Mathematics and English. Outdoor Education "Camps" start at 2 days and go up to 10 days for Year 10. Students in Year 10 may learn to sail on the Queensland Sail Training Ship the South Passage.
. Every Student is assigned a house upon enrolment with siblings assigned to the same house. There are four houses which not only compete in inter-house sporting and theatrical activities but also offer pastoral care services to each member of a student's respective house through the House Dean and other support staff. Houses compete against each other weekly in informal sporting events held during semester and at other organised carnivals including a Cross Country, Swimming Carnival and Athletics Carnival. There are also theatrical and various other activities in which houses compete. These include a Dramatic Play, Debating Competition, Choir and Instrumental Presentations and a Student-choreographed musical presentation. Over the period of an academic year points are awarded to each house based on their performance in all these events. The house with the most points at the end of the academic year in the Middle and Senior Schools receives the House Cup while the winning house in the Junior School receives a similar trophy.
Colours: Blue and Red
Mascot: Bear
Colours: Yellow and Black
Mascot: Cheetah
Colours: Maroon and Yellow
Mascot: Lion
Langton House is named after, Stephen Langton
who was a central figure in the 11th century dispute between King John of England
and Pope Innocent III
, which ultimately led to the issuing of Magna Carta
in 1215. It is one of the school's original houses.
Colours: Green and Black
Mascot: Eagle
One of the founding houses, More House, is named after the lawyer and scholar, Thomas More, who was beheaded in 1535 after he refused to sign an Act of Supremacy declaring King Henry VIII
Royal Supremacy to the Church of England.
. The club participates in a number of community service activities and performs fundraising for charity organizations. The Cathedral School Leo Club also has close ties to Twin Cities Leo Club and Northern Suburbs Lions Club, the club's sponsoring lion club. Many past members of the club are now members of the Twin Cities Leo Club.
Anglican Church of Australia
The Anglican Church of Australia is a member church of the Anglican Communion. It was previously officially known as the Church of England in Australia and Tasmania...
school for boys and girls from six weeks of age (Early Learning Centre on The Cathedral School campus) to Year 12, including boarding students from Year 7 to Year 12.
The school is situated in the Townsville suburb of Mundingburra, Queensland
Mundingburra, Queensland
Mundingburra is a suburb of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It is predominantly a residential suburb that is situated on the bank of the Ross River, adjacent to the suburb of Annandale...
and is open to students of all denominations.
History
The School was established in 1917 as St Anne's, a girls' school operated by the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent. The original school operated in the Synod Hall adjacent to St James Cathedral, but soon moved to its own premises on the site which is now occupied by the Townsville City Council (Walker Street)World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the school was acquired by the Australian Military for use as barracks accommodation for the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force
Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force
The Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force was formed in March 1941 after considerable lobbying by women keen to serve and by the Chief of the Air Staff who wanted to release male personnel serving in Australia for service overseas. The WAAAF was the first and largest of the World War II...
(WAAAF)of No. 3 Fighter Sector RAAF. The school's students were evacuated to Ravenswood, Queensland
Ravenswood
-Film and literature:* Ravenswood , a 2006 Australian thriller, starring Stephen Moyer, Travis Fimmel and Teresa Palmer* Ravenswood, the name of a Swedish forest in Beowulf, the setting of a battle between Geats and Swedes...
until the WAAAF finished using the premises in 1944/45.
The school moved to its current premises in Mundingburra in 1958. Over the next 20 years the school settled into its new site and built a number of new buildings to service both boarders and day students. In 1979 the school became co-educational and the school's first male principal was appointed.
In 1985 the new Music and Drama center was opened while a year later the new Technical Art's building was finished. Two years later, In 1988 the new Akins boy's dormitory was opened. In 2001 a major works project was undertaken and resulted in the redevelopment of the senior school precinct and the building of the Nancy Armati Quadrangle and SSA (Sisters of the Sacred Advent) Block consisting of ten new air conditioned classrooms and computer laboratories. These buildings were opened in 2002.
In 2006 work started on a purpose built facility for young children, now known as the Early Learning Center (ELC) the building was finished in 2007 and accommodates all pre-prep students. Soon after the completion of the ELC work began on an expansion of Akins dormitory to replace the two other aging boys dormitories. This work was completed shortly before the commencement of the 2008 year and has allowed all boys to be housed in a single dormitory.
School Motto
The School Motto, "Talium Dei Regnum" is based on a phrase taken from , "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The motto translates to "Children represent the kingdom of God".Middle School (Grades 7-9)
Housed in its own building the Middle School was opened in 2006 and accommodates grades 7 through 9 in purpose-built classrooms. The building contains only five classrooms for the use of all three grades as many middle school classes are held in senior school classrooms. The entire middle school building is covered by a wifiWIFI
WIFI is a radio station broadcasting a brokered format. Licensed to Florence, New Jersey, USA, the station is currently operated by Florence Broadcasting Partners, LLC.This station was previously owned by Real Life Broadcasting...
network and laptops are easily available for flexible use within classrooms.
Senior School (Grades 10-12)
The Senior School is set around the Nancy Armati Quadrangle which lies in the shadow of a 100+ year old rain tree. Within the senior school there are 6 science laboratories, 11 general purpose classrooms, three computer laboratories and a number of other subject specific rooms including Hospitality, Art and Graphics rooms. All the schools rooms are fully air-conditioned and many are equipped with smartboards, projectors and multimedia systems.The senior school also houses the schools drama and music centre. The Green Hall, formerly the boarders' dining hall, is now used as the drama hall and has been fitted with a stage, seating and the appropriate lighting and sound equipment. The center also includes a number of rooms of varying sizes used for rehearsal and practise for various music groups and individuals. The main music room, the fishbowl (as it is affectionately known due to its large glass double-glazed windows), is a sound insulated room which allows for performance groups and individuals to practise within school hours without disturbing other students.
The Sisters of the Sacred Advent block (The SSA building) is the main teaching block in the senior school and is used for a variety of classes from English and maths to geography and graphics. The building, built in 2002 houses 10 purpose built classrooms as well as a number of staff offices. Three of the rooms in the SSA building are fully equipped computer laboratories which can be used by classes that require computer usage.
The senior school is also the planned location for a combined lecture theatre and teaching block which will take the place of the aging single story science block (SC Block).
Boarding
The Cathedral School houses approximately 150 boarding students from different backgrounds, including those from rural families, coastal and island communities and overseas. Boys and girls from Year 7 to Year 12 are accommodated in separate dormitories. Male Boarders are housed in Akins House, located in the Northeastern corner of the campus, while female boarders are housed in two dormitories in the center of the campus. Boarding students are supervided by 'house parents' who live on school campus, often in the boarding house which they supervise. Many of these house parents are also full time administrative or teaching staff.Outdoor education
All grades between 2 and 10 participate in the school's outdoor educationOutdoor education
Outdoor education usually refers to organized learning that takes place in the outdoors. Outdoor education programs sometimes involve residential or journey-based experiences in which students participate in a variety of adventurous challenges in the form of outdoor activities such as hiking,...
program. The outdoor education program aim to develop skills in survival as well as be a practical application for many subjects including Biology, Geography, History, Mathematics and English. Outdoor Education "Camps" start at 2 days and go up to 10 days for Year 10. Students in Year 10 may learn to sail on the Queensland Sail Training Ship the South Passage.
House system
Similar to most Australian Schools, The Cathedral School employs a House SystemHouse system
The house system is a traditional feature of British schools, and schools in the Commonwealth. Historically, it was associated with established public schools, where a 'house' refers to a boarding house or dormitory of a boarding school...
. Every Student is assigned a house upon enrolment with siblings assigned to the same house. There are four houses which not only compete in inter-house sporting and theatrical activities but also offer pastoral care services to each member of a student's respective house through the House Dean and other support staff. Houses compete against each other weekly in informal sporting events held during semester and at other organised carnivals including a Cross Country, Swimming Carnival and Athletics Carnival. There are also theatrical and various other activities in which houses compete. These include a Dramatic Play, Debating Competition, Choir and Instrumental Presentations and a Student-choreographed musical presentation. Over the period of an academic year points are awarded to each house based on their performance in all these events. The house with the most points at the end of the academic year in the Middle and Senior Schools receives the House Cup while the winning house in the Junior School receives a similar trophy.
Bede House
Motto: Judge us by our actionsColours: Blue and Red
Mascot: Bear
Chatham House
Motto: I know that I can do itColours: Yellow and Black
Mascot: Cheetah
Langton House
Motto: To serve is to reignColours: Maroon and Yellow
Mascot: Lion
Langton House is named after, Stephen Langton
Stephen Langton
Stephen Langton was Archbishop of Canterbury between 1207 and his death in 1228 and was a central figure in the dispute between King John of England and Pope Innocent III, which ultimately led to the issuing of Magna Carta in 1215...
who was a central figure in the 11th century dispute between King John of England
John of England
John , also known as John Lackland , was King of England from 6 April 1199 until his death...
and Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III was Pope from 8 January 1198 until his death. His birth name was Lotario dei Conti di Segni, sometimes anglicised to Lothar of Segni....
, which ultimately led to the issuing of Magna Carta
Magna Carta
Magna Carta is an English charter, originally issued in the year 1215 and reissued later in the 13th century in modified versions, which included the most direct challenges to the monarch's authority to date. The charter first passed into law in 1225...
in 1215. It is one of the school's original houses.
More House
Motto: On the wings of an EagleColours: Green and Black
Mascot: Eagle
One of the founding houses, More House, is named after the lawyer and scholar, Thomas More, who was beheaded in 1535 after he refused to sign an Act of Supremacy declaring King Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
Royal Supremacy to the Church of England.
The Cathedral School Leo Club
The Cathedral School Leo Club is a community service group, part of Lions International's youth organization, LeosLeo clubs
Leo Clubs are a youth organization of Lions Clubs International. The word L E O stands for Leadership, Experience, Opportunity. The Leo Club objective is to "...to provide the youth of the world an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively, as responsible members...
. The club participates in a number of community service activities and performs fundraising for charity organizations. The Cathedral School Leo Club also has close ties to Twin Cities Leo Club and Northern Suburbs Lions Club, the club's sponsoring lion club. Many past members of the club are now members of the Twin Cities Leo Club.
Academic results
Year 12 Cohort Overall Position (OP) Results| QCS Mean | OP 1 (% of students) | OP 1-5 (% of students) | OP 1-9 (% of students) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Cathedral School 2004 | 136.2 | 4.87 | 28.01 | 51.14 |
| State Average 2004 | 128.3 | 2.3 | 15.18 | 38.41 |
| The Cathedral School 2006 | Unknown | Unknown | 31.8 | 57.97 |
| State Average 2006 | Unknown | Unknown | 12 | 34 |
| The Cathedral School 2007 | Unknown | 7.58 | 28.79 | Unknown |
| State Average 2007 | Unknown | 2.54 | 17.03 | Unknown |