School in talks with developers to build second campus

Plans are underway to build a new non-denominational independent high school that will be part of the Caboolture West development.

Caboolture Montessori School is hoping to open the doors to a new campus in 2024-2025 that will cater for existing students.

Principal Yvonne Rinaldi said it was “crucial” for the school to look at high school education for their students.

“We currently have 250 students at our school that range from 15-months-old right up to Year 6,” Ms Rinaldi said.

“Our students who transition into high school go to one of the two private schools in the area, but parents have been pushing for a Montessori high school and a continuation of the curriculum that we offer.

“It’s something we have been thinking about for six years now, and in that time, we have been doing lots of research to make sure we get the right balance for our students and their future.

“It’s exciting that it has gone from an idea to actually talking to developers.

“Nothing has been signed yet, but presumably 2024-2025 is when we will open our doors.

“We want the high school to be close to the primary school so we can run a bus between the two, while also making it easier for parents.”

Caboolture Montessori School opened in 1998, with Ms Rinaldi helping to establish the school. It was first run out of the Caboolture Historical Village with 18 students.

Today, the school is on a 10-acre rural site on Old Gympie Rd with 250 students and 50 staff.

The proposed high school will begin with Year 7 students only and grow by one year level each year.

Focus on new technology 

Ms Rinaldi said the school would be a “futuristic school with lots of new technology” as well as space to cultivate the land so “students can be connected to the Earth”.

“There will be no desks where students sit in front of an adult. Rather, there will be teaching tables where students will gather for their lessons,” she said.

“I want our students to have a sense of community, understand that they are building a community and are responsible for that community… and have a vision of global needs and link their own interests to them.”

The school currently receives funding from the Federal and State Governments, as well as revenue from school fees.

Visit cms.qld.edu.au