College celebrates milestone year
19 October, 2021Holy Spirit College Mackay celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year. Students and staff gathered on Tuesday 12 October to commemorate this special occasion with the placing of items in a time capsule, a sausage sizzle, a whole-of-school drone photograph and fun carnival activities all part of the day’s events. Holy Spirit College Principal, Mrs Alison Wales, said “We had such a wonderful day celebrating this significant milestone. Each item for our time capsule was carefully selected to capture a glimpse of what life is like for students and staff in 2021. The College was buzzing with excitement as we joined together in celebration.”
With origins tied closely to Emmanuel Catholic School (Years 1-10 established in 1983), Holy Spirit College was officially established next to Emmanuel Catholic Primary School in 1996. As Emmanuel Catholic School was founded by the Marist Sisters, the College also draws on and celebrates the Marist Sisters charism. The College has grown from enrolments numbering 390 (Years 8 to 10) in 1996 to a thriving student body of over 1000 students (Years 7 to 12) in 2021.
The College has been guided by four Principals over the past 25 years: Mrs Ruth Lang, Mr Vince McSherry, Dr John Lyons and Mrs Alison Wales. Skilled and professional staff offer a quality education and extra-curricular opportunities in the areas of sport, culture, service, STEM and academic development. The 10.7-hectare College campus has undergone many re-shaping and building projects to provide modern infrastructure for the growing student population and curriculum offerings.
Mrs Wales said Holy Spirit College welcomes all types of learners and provides a nurturing environment where every student is given every opportunity to develop their God-given gifts. “The College strives to achieve a sense of positive community for all, laying the foundation for a successful and fulfilling future for all students,” she said.