Co-ed Boarding
Boarders have been the heart and soul of St Augustine’s since the College opened in 1930. And in a real way it becomes their second home. These young people, different in many ways and from diverse backgrounds and places, learn to work, live, play and pray together.
Camaraderie, humour and generosity of spirit in our boarding residences help nurture lifelong friendships. Those friendships are formed while sharing meals at Tolle’s cafeteria, while having a laugh during organised activities, social events and sporting competitions and while watching TV. Boarders learn important life lessons about sharing and tolerance, as well as developing qualities such as loyalty, trust and resilience in adversity.
Boarding routines encourage those in our care to develop responsibility, become organised and take pride in their personal spaces or rooms. They benefit academically from structured nightly study with tutors who are teachers, Old Boys and university students with specialist subject knowledge.
Boarders have access to the College’s extensive facilities such as the library, the music centre practice rooms and the gym and swimming pool, under staff supervision. They are transported by staff to external sports training and events, and are encouraged to be involved in their respective college’s co-curricular activities. Our chapel is open for private prayer during the week and here Sunday chapel is held.
Boarding Residences
Girls and boys are accommodated in separate residences. Those in Years 7 to 9 live in our junior residences and those in Years 10 to 12 live in our senior residences. Some have recently been renovated thanks to three substantial grants from the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA). All residences are air-conditioned, have WI-FI, recreational and TV areas and kitchenettes. Each boarder has his or her own space or room containing a bed, desk and wardrobe and a place to display photos and special keepsakes from home.
Heads of residence, along with supervisors, work tirelessly to create a family spirit, a vital part of the Marist ethos. Creating a sense of fun and purpose is also important, with the aim of making those they care for feel welcomed and valued.
Schooling
Boys are educated at St Augustine’s College, while girls attend St Monica’s College nearby and are bused to and from there each day. Girls must meet both schools’ enrolment criteria and be accepted by each principal as boarders.
St Augustine's College Cairns
251 Draper Street
Cairns QLD 4870
We acknowledge the First Nations peoples of Australia, the traditional custodians of the land, seas, skies and waterways on which we reside, work, travel and meet. We pay our respect to First Nations elders past, present, and emerging, and support the Uluru Statement From The Heart. We acknowledge that the land, seas, skies and waterways of Australia were, are and always will be, that of the First Nations peoples.