Governance

The site for the Catholic Primary school at Springfield Lakes is administered by Brisbane Catholic Education on behalf of the Archdiocese of Brisbane.  The Trustees of the Corporation of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane is both the canonical and civil owner of the school site.  The site was purchased with funds allocated for educational purposes.  The Archdiocese has a portion of land co-located for non-school use ie Church and Centacare buildings..

Demographics & Socio-economic Profile

Over time, the Primary school at Springfield Lakes is expected to accommodate four streams.  The school’s catchment area includes the suburbs within the Springfield development as well as some areas near Greenbank and New Beith.  Population growth in these areas is expected to be significant for the primary school-aged population.

History and Ownership of the Site

In 2010 the approval of the Archbishop of Brisbane was sought for the opening of a Catholic Primary school in the Springfield Lakes area for 2013.  A site was purchased from Delfin with significant earth works included as part of the acquisition. These include massive rock walls for each platform. The entry/exit points have been fined by Delfin.

The master plan accounts for a four-stream Primary school (up to 800 students) with a two stream intake in the initial stages see Appendix (1).  Over time and through consultation with stakeholders, including surrounding Diocesan and Parish Primary schools and the Director School Service Centre South, the enrolment levels will grow with demand from the designated catchment area.

Of the site, 4 ha was made available for Brisbane Catholic Education to develop a school and if possible a space for future Archdiocesan needs such as Parish and Childcare facilities. In 2015 planning commenced for the Parish Church and building commenced in 2016 with completion in September 2017 when the  Blessing and Opening will occur. Building of the Centacare Childcare Centre has commenced and will be completed at the end of 2017.

A memorandum of understanding has been developed between Springfield Parish and Brisbane Catholic Education for the pastoral support of the new Primary school.  Agreements will also be developed with archdiocesan agencies that occupy other portions of the site and share infrastructure services.

Archdiocesan and Parish Planning

Parish Planning

The Archdiocese formed a new Parish in 2011, Our Lady of the Southern Cross, in the Springfield area.  This strategy is key to the Catholic Church being an integral part of the Springfield community.  School facilities have been made available for Parish meetings, gatherings and worship.

Brisbane Archdiocese: Centacare

Brisbane Archdiocesan Centacare provides, in conjunction with the development of the school, an Out of School Hours Care program. This program, under the November 2005, “Policy for the Provision of ‘Out of School Hours Care Services’ to Brisbane Catholic Education Schools”, is based on a Management Agreement and a Cooperation Agreement negotiated with, and signed by, the foundation principal of the school. An agreement was developed between Good Shepherd and Centacare for Out of School Hours Care services in 2014.

Centacare has commenced building of a Long Day Care Centre, Kindergarten and Outside School Hours Care Centre on Archdiocesan land adjacent to the school site.  All enquiries regarding this service can be made by calling 1300 236 822 or email childcare@bne.centacare.net.au

The Catholic presence on the site is to be obvious and explicit through design and rich symbolism.

Governance

The Archdiocese is both the canonical and civil owner of the school site, which is administered by Brisbane Catholic Education on behalf of the Archdiocese of Brisbane.

The site was purchased with funds allocated for educational purposes.  The Archdiocese also may obtain and use a portion of land co-located for future and as yet undesignated non-school use. 

Demographics & Socio-economic Profile

Primary school-aged population projections

Over time, Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School in Springfield Lakes is expected to accommodate four streams.  The school’s catchment area includes the suburbs within the Springfield development as well as some areas near Greenbank and New Beith.  Population growth in these areas is expected to be significant for the primary school-aged population.

The Primary school-aged population of the Statistical Local Area (SLA) of Ipswich East SLA is expected to grow by more than 11,000 residents. This growth is mostly projected for the Springfield area and would place substantial pressure on existing Catholic schools in the area, namely St Augustine’s (Augusta Heights).

Table 1 details the medium series projections for the Primary school-aged population within the catchment to 2026; this includes the Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) of Ipswich (C) – East and Ipswich (C) - Central.  The primary school-aged group includes those aged from four to 12 years.  The areas of substantial growth in the SLA of Ipswich (C) – East are those suburbs within the Springfield development that will directly provide students for the primary school. 

Table 1: Primary school-aged population projections

 Source: OESR, 2012, School-aged population projections - medium series