Varsity College


Varsity College is a primary and secondary school in Varsity Lakes.

Infrastructure

On 25 July 2001, Stage 1 of the school was officially opened by Hon Peter Beattie. On 13 August 2002, stage 2 of the school was officially opened by Anna Bligh, a project costing $18 million. In 2002, the school opened a secondary campus, then known as "Varsity College Middle School".
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. In 2005, the "Lake Orr" footbridge, connecting both campuses, had been constructed. In 2010, the Senior Learning Centre, originally known as the "Chinese Language & Cultural Centre of Excellence", was officially opened by Hon John-Paul Langbroek. In 2015, the Junior Learning Centre was officially opened.
In 2019, an outdoor multi purpose sports court, was built at the secondary campus.

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. Since then, the school has had multiple principals:
PrincipalYears
Julie Grantham2001–2002
Tracey Cashman2002–2004
Mike Kelly2004–2005
Jeff Davis2005–2015
Steven McLuckie2015–2018
Sharon Schultz2018–2023
Nigel Hughes2023–present

Students

Years

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

Class sizes

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

Student enrolments

In 2023, Varsity College was reported to have a maximum student enrolment capacity of 3,619 students. 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. With respect to the school's "Programs of Excellence in Academic, Cultural and Sports Excellence", the school has an enrolment capacity of:

  • 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. The trend in school enrolments has been:-

Attendance

The trend in student attendance has been: -

Discipline

The trend in student discipline has been: -
YearShort Suspensions
1 - 15 days
Long Suspensions
6 - 20 days
ExclusionsEnrolment
Cancellations
Total
20162232109244
20172491569279
20182908104312
201930610113330
2020163641174
202130825103346
20221924285247
2023TBATBATBATBATBA

Curriculum

Languages

The school's language department offers Mandarin from prep to year 12. The school also runs an English as an Additional Language or Dialect support team.

Sports

Participation

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

House system

The school has four sporting houses, named after "iconic" Gold Coast beaches:
House NameColourMascotStudent SurnameGold Coast Beaches
Burleigh bluebarracudasA B C DBurleigh Beach
Kirra yellowsharksE F G H I J KKirra Beach
Miami greenraysL M N O P QMiami Beach
Rainbow redserpentsR S T U V W X Y ZRainbow Beach

AFL Team Achievements

Senior Female (Years 10-12)

  • '''AFL Queensland Schools Cup'''
    Junior Female (Years 7-9)
  • '''AFL Queensland Schools Cup'''

    Popular culture

In 2002, the series The Sleepover Club was shot and partially produced at the school.
The college has appeared in Sea Patrol.

Notable alumni

Sport