Education City E-News
We welcome back all our continuing leaders, lecturers, teachers and educational staff and in particular a special welcome to the new staff that have joined the Greater Springfield Community.
Education is the significant pillar that has driven the development of Greater Springfield. Last year, 42 percent of our population were involved in some form of formal learning from Childcare to University. This is a statistic that reflects the age profile of our population, the quality of educational services that exist in our city and the significant planning that ensures we are a learning city.
Greater Springfield has become a destination for quality learning.
The physical landscape continues to change. St Peters have made the move to their new school site in health city. Catholic education is in advanced planning for their new Primary school in Springfield Lakes. Hymba Yumba is in the process of finalising the arrangements for the building of their new school.
Many of our other schools continue to enhance their facilities to keep up with the demands of increased enrolments and the provision of the best designed learning environments. There are new C&K kindergartens. The school and community hall at Springfield Lakes State Primary school is a striking reminder of the partnership between students, parents and communities that enhance the quality of outcomes our students achieve. It was indeed a pleasure for the Springfield Land Corporation to recognise the success of our best students through our learning awards program at the end of the 2011 school year. To meet and witness the achievements of such remarkable students is always inspiring.
We are expecting further significant enrolment growth at both the TAFE and university campus. The University of Southern Queensland has welcomed their new Vice Chancellor, Professor Jan Thomas. Bremer Institute of TAFE also has welcomed a new Institute Director, Paul Sutcliffe.
All looks well for an exciting year ahead. I believe that 2012 will be a year of expansion and with rail coming to Springfield in 2013 the services of our learning city will be available to even more students.
Best wishes for a very successful 2012.
Terry Kearney, Executive General Manager - Education and Health, Springfield Land Corporation
USQ have recently appointed Professor Jan Thomas as USQ’s incoming Vice –Chancellor and President. Professor Thomas comes to USQ from the University of Notre Dame in Western Australia where she was Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
Prior to joining Notre Dame, Professor Thomas had a long and distinguished academic career at Murdoch University, where she was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).
Most recently Professor Thomas has been a member o an expert advisory group to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations whose focus was on developing higher education performance indicators in association with the Commonwealth government.
Professor Thomas has been an auditor for the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) and an international reviewer for accrediting agencies in Oman and Hong Kong. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has spent ten years as a Director and Member of the Board of Government for Western Australia’s MercyCare, a large community and human services organisation.
JUDITH Seery has been named as foundation principal of Springfield’s newest Catholic school.
Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School at Springfield Lakes is planned to open in January 2013 subject to final government and funding approvals.
It will complement the existing provision of Prep-12 Catholic education at St Augustine’s College.
Both schools will form an exciting partnership with the recently established Our Lady of the Southern Cross Parish under the leadership of Fr Mauro Conte.
Prior to this new appointment Ms Seery was principal of St Anthony’s School, Alexandra Hills, a position she held since 2005.
Ms Seery has had extensive leadership experience in NSW, Northern Territory, Victoria and Queensland.
She holds a Certificate of Teaching Infants, a Diploma of Education, a Diploma of Religious Education Renewal, a Bachelor of Education, and a Master of Educational Leadership.
For more information or an enrolment pack contact pspringfieldlakes@bne.catholic.edu.au or call (07) 3440 9741
Education City wishes all Staff & Students a safe and merry Christmas. 2011 has been an exciting year for Education in Greater Springfield with the opening of 3 new schools and 2012 will see the opening of the new St Peters Lutheran College campus. With works now visibly underway on the rail line and the introduction of bus service to USQ Springfield from Ipswich, education options at Education City are fast becoming the preferred choice for both school leavers and mature age students.
Strong numbers growth predicted for Springfield campus in 2012
The introduction of several new programs at USQ Springfield campus has proven popular with students, with early predictions for student numbers in 2012 estimated to rise significantly.
Springfield campus Director Doug Fraser, said figures at the traditional half way point for QTAC applications were showing a marked increase on the previous year.
'Currently first preference applications have increased by close to 60 percent for 2012, which is a noteworthy result,' Mr Fraser said.
'Applications from school leavers have shown the largest rise, with figures showing an increase of 76 percent on the previous year at this time.
'All of our programs are showing good growth, but the new additions for 2012, being the Bachelor of Education (Secondary - Sport, Health and Physical Education) and the Bachelor of Arts can be attributed for more than half of this increase.'
Mr Fraser said while these two programs had proven very popular with students, other existing programs had also shown strong growth.
'In particular the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours),Bachelor of Applied Media with its new Journalism major and the Bachelor of Construction have also experienced significant growth.
'These strong figures also indicate the wider acceptance of the campus in the Western Corridor, and a high degree of confidence in the quality of its academic programs.'
'The campus has really taken on a new life and strength since the newly managed Central Tavern re-opened and with the opening of the adjacent parklands.
'The Tavern provides students with a close place to have lunch and catch up in a relaxed atmosphere.
'Having the extensive Robelle Domain Parklands right on our doorstep also provides students with a great setting to study or just take a walk during breaks.
'Campus and social life are as important to students as the opportunity to study towards their new career and the Springfield campus really does offer it all with these new additions.
'These preliminary figures are very pleasing and reflect the message is getting out and the community are accepting USQ as their university campus.'
In less than 12 months, Bremer TAFE beauty student Vanessa Zuj has nailed national industry awards and become a published artist by leaving her creative mark on fingernails and the nail art industry.
Ms Zuj was placed second in this year's Global Nail Design Awards' acrylic tip/sculpture novice category.
Last year she received a Special Mention for Elegant Design at the Lisheer Clear Nail Art Competition and ranked second in the Christmas Nail art competition held by industry supplier, Lish Nail Creations.
The Certificate III in Beauty student attributes her winning formula to her passion for the industry and finding confidence through her TAFE studies to raise her artistic hand and show her polished talent.
"If it wasn't for attending The Bremer TAFE, I wouldn't have had the confidence to get out there and give the competitions a shot. The teachers are very inspiring and the beauty industry definitely gives you the confidence to achieve your goals," Ms Zuj said.
Ms Zuj praised the program for helping drive her success, especially the guidance and professionalism of her teachers, and The Bremer TAFE's cutting edge facilities within its fully-functioning hair and beauty salon at Springfield.
"I'm really enjoying the course; the training is formalising my love for nails and beauty with current vocational skills, and the teachers are helpful with bringing their own professional experience working in the industry to our classrooms."
Little did she know when her beauty teacher asked her to share her five year goals last July at the start of her Certificate program that she would be achieving these in less than a year.
Since her awards foray, Ms Zuj's nail art has been featured across Australia in Lish promotional posters, online and in a new coffee table book being distributed to salons and nail technicians across the nation.
Recognising her clear and colourful talents, Lish was sold on her personally-inspired creative concept and designs for one of their professional photo shoots, using her unique statement on V8s.
Her Supercars theme summed up the biggest rivalry in motor-sport - the Holden versus Ford debate - on the nails of models, and the self-confessed V8 die-hard also provided the model's racing costume and model V8 props.
Loving a challenge, Ms Zuj also created a New South Wales team nail art design in another Lish photo shoot inspired by the State of Origin theme.
"It was such an awesome experience to have so much attention on my work - hopefully I will see the posters hanging in a salon one day. I've since been invited to work at the Lish Nail Creations Stand during the Sydney beauty expo in August," she said.
Possessing a natural gift for decorating and enhancing nails, Ms Zuj pursued TAFE qualifications to formalise her credentials and has already used them to start a successful home-based nail care business.
The Bremer TAFE beauty teacher Shelly Veitch said one of the strengths of the Certificate III in Beauty was its teachers' passion for the industry and their 35 years of combined professional experience.
"Both myself and fellow teacher Fran Lenz stay connected with the industry through networking and attending extensive workshops and expos to stay current with the latest techniques and products," Ms Veitch said.
"We can then provide our students with the absolute latest information, skills and techniques, and importantly mentoring throughout the program and encouragement to pursue industry opportunities and competitions that we hear about," she said.
Ms Veitch said beauty graduates were equipped with relevant vocational competencies capable of positioning them for success in any salon or boutique, as business owners or in the national spotlight, like Ms Zuj.
"We believe there is no limit to what our students can achieve in life with the right mix of confidence, motivation, and the correct application of the broad set of skills and cutting-edge techniques our program delivers," she said.
"The program covers manicure and pedicare services, lash and brow treatments, make-up, temporary epilation and bleaching treatments, and interacting with customers in beauty reception and sales areas.
"We've had a great amount of success with our former students and for determined ones like Vanessa, their futures are what they make it. I'm proud of her for achieving her goals ahead of time and I don't think it's the last we'll be hearing about her success."
Education continues to boom at Greater Springfield with both the public and private education sectors moving to secure their future with new campuses in the high-growth Western Corridor.
"We recently saw the official opening of the Springfield Central State School and Springfield Central State High School at the edge of our Education City and Health City precincts" Maha Sinnathamby said.
Construction had also begun on the new St Peters Lutheran College and that Catholic Education Brisbane had recently announced work would begin on a Catholic primary school next year and these two new private schools will be situated nearby.
“Education is the currency of the future and it will always be at the very heart of the Springfield story,” he said.
“Mr Sinnathamby said Greater Springfield already has one of the highest student-to-resident ratios in Australia but this looked set to increase with new schools.“Around 14 years ago we welcomed our first student to the city. Now there are more than 8,700 students learning in Greater Springfield in one form or another which is staggering growth by anyone’s measure,” he said.
“Around 42% of the Greater Springfield population of 22,000 are involved in formal learning, which is an extraordinary lifelong learning ratio. “There are many factors for this education boom but the major drivers are our unrelenting population growth and a high proportion of young people aged 0-14.”
The latest real time travel figures from a variety of sources reveal it’s quicker to drive from Brisbane’s CBD to Springfield than to any other neighbourhood within a 30-35 kilometre radius of the capital city.
Data available online from Google Maps, WhereiS.com and the state’s peak motoring body shows it takes on average an estimated 31 minutes to reach Springfield but a whopping 50 minutes to Redcliffe, 44 minutes to Victoria Point, 39 minutes to North Lakes and 48 minutes to Kholo.
Springfield Land Corporation Chairman Maha Sinnathamby said the country’s largest master planned community was closer to Brisbane’s CBD than most people realised.
“Figures from all three trip planners at RACQ , Google and WhereiS support the fact this fantastic community is an easy drive from Brisbane’s CBD and I believe it’s also a less stressful commute than to many fringe suburbs because the drive isn’t ‘stop- start’,” Mr Sinnathamby said.
“In recent years the travel time between Springfield and Brisbane’s CBD has improved markedly and future infrastructure improvements like Legacy Way and Airport Link will continue to reduce the time spent commuting.
“At the moment congestion on Milton Road and Coronation Drive are the only things slowing the commute.
“The Springfield rail project and Transit-Oriented Development due in 2013 will also take thousands of cars off the road, making the journey even faster for those behind the wheel.”
The difference in estimated drive time between Springfield and Redcliffe equates to a saving of around 19 minutes each way, which over the period of a five day working week means spending around three hours and 10 minutes less in the car and more time with the family or on other activities.
The time savings between Springfield and Victoria Point commutes give Springfield residents back an extra two hours and ten minutes each working week.
| Destination from Brisbane CBD (km) | Average Distance (km) | Average real time travel from CBD (minutes) |
| Springfield | 30.35 | 31 |
| Redcliffe | 33.16 | 50 |
| Victoria Point | 33.6 | 44 |
| North Lakes | 30.45 | 39 |
| Kholo | 35 | 48 |
Source: The figures are an average of RACQ - http://www.racq.com.au/travel/Maps_and_Directions/trip_planner, Google Maps – maps.google.com.au and WhereiS – www.whereis.com
Mr Sinnathamby said the greatest benefit of living in a master planned community like Springfield was that in time there would be no real need to travel into Brisbane’s CBD for work.
“At the heart of Greater Springfield lies Springfield Central, a purpose-built, 390 hectare CBD, which will provide an employment base for 30,000 workers,” he said.
“There will be more than 1.4 million m² of office, retail, educational, health and technology facilities, all of which is surrounded by parkland like Robelle Domain, making doing business here profitable, enjoyable and efficient.”
More than 22,000 residents with a student population of 8,700, have moved into Greater Springfield since it was established in 1991. The State government’s $475 million investment in a heavy rail line to Springfield, shifting people from road to rail, is due for completion by 2013.
Becoming an Everyday Hero at the University of Southern Queensland Springfield Campus is an option for anyone in the Greater Brisbane area.
Orion Town Centre Star Schools programme has once again proved popular amongst the local schools, with parents and friends and staff ensuring their dockets are recorded in a bid to win the grand prize of $20,000 towards school equipment.
Congratulations to the Orion Star School Winners for 2011.
1st Place: $20,000 Springfield Central State School
2nd Place: $10,000 The Springfield Anglican College
3rd Place: $8,000 Augusta State School
Queensland’s newest parkland, Robelle Domain recently opened in Greater Springfield.
Robelle Domain connects Education City to Orion Springfield Town Centre and also boasts free wireless internet access so students can wander down from their classes and soak up the beautiful natural setting.
Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale was joined at the opening by Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Wayne Swan, Queensland Premier and Minister for Reconstruction the Honourable Anna Bligh and Springfield Land Corporation Chairman Maha Sinnathamby.
Cr Pisasale said Robelle Domain would quickly become recognised as a park of regional significance owing to its size, location and both its natural and man-made features.
"We are very proud of the many new recreational and play areas included in the parkland."
"The park features Australia's first on-line interactive playground hardware, water park play facilities, all-ability play equipment, walking trails and cycling paths."
"The large amphitheatre is surrounded by a series of computer operated sound and projection lighting towers, which will allow the park to host night events."
"Robelle Domain is all about families getting outdoors and having fun, exercise, learning or just enjoying the wide open spaces."
The new parkland is the centrepiece of the Greater Springfield city and was made possible by the financial contribution and strong partnerships developed between Springfield Land Corporation ($5 million and provision of the land), and all three levels of government - Ipswich City Council ($10 million which included a $5 million loan from the state government), the Queensland Government ($5 million) and the Australian Government ($10 million).
"All have made a tremendous contribution to bring the vision of Robelle Domain to completion and is a real-life example of what can be achieved when all levels of government work in partnership on such an important project for the community," Cr Pisasale said.
Premier Anna Bligh said the State Government was dedicated to providing more green space for Queenslanders.
"This park will become the green heart of Springfield and it will become a place that the people of the city will love dearly," she said.
"With five kilometres of walkways and boardwalks and a tree top walk through a stand of native eucalypts it will become a place that local families enjoy for generations.
"Like the Botanic Gardens and Roma Street Parklands in Brisbane, Queens Park in Ipswich Central and Queens Park in Toowoomba it will become a beautiful backyard open to every resident of this city."
Springfield Land Corporation chairman Maha Sinnathamaby said the opening was a significant milestone in the development of the master-planned community, recognised as the best in the world by the International Real Estate Federation last year.
"Our vision is to build a community where people can live, play and work and providing so much green, open space in the heart of the Springfield CBD is an important part of that vision.
"This beautiful parkland will offer the community a world-class recreational area where residents, shoppers, workers, students and visitors can come together and enjoy public space."
USQ Springfield campus graduate Mark Constable has reached for the stars and caught one, landing a plum job working on the Steven Spielberg-produced Fox series Terra Nova at the Gold Coast.
The Bachelor of Applied Media (BAM) graduate began working as Assistant Casting Director on the series in April after the pilot episode was approved in the USA and the green light given for 12 new episodes to be shot in Australia.
Mr Constable said he was stoked when he found out his name would appear in the series credits.
'Initially I thought I would be a ghost on the production, but I ended up with a great addition to my CV,' Mr Constable said.
The Terra Nova series follows an ordinary family as they journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a small part of a daring experiment to save the human race.
In the year 2149 the world is dying from overdevelopment, overcrowding and pollution when scientists discover a portal to prehistoric Earth and decide to make a last-ditch effort to rebuild civilization.
The family soon discover the healthy, vibrant world is not as idyllic as it initially appeared with man-eating dinosaurs and forces intent on destroying the new world before it even begins.
As Assistant Casting Director, Mr Constable’s role will help many actors win the role of a lifetime.
'I read through the scripts and pull out any characters which would appear in the episode and then make test pieces out of the lines and bring people in to audition for the part,' he said.
'Following auditions we discuss who we think would work for what role with the Directors, Producers and Fox and whether the role should be cut or added to and then we offer them a position on the set.'
Mr Constable credits his experience studying the BAM with helping him prepare to take on the role in the big budget American production.
'My Lecturer, Dr Daryl Sparkes challenged me to be great and that is what I set out to do.
'Throughout the three years of my program I produced, wrote and directed many short films, documentaries and radio shows which all added to my CV.
'Once I left, not only did I have great referees who spoke highly of me, but I also had a large CV which displayed my achievements, work and effort.'
Mr Constable said the highlight of his experiences on Terra Nova so far had been meeting all the celebrities who visited the set.
'I have become accustomed to just speaking to people I see on television all the time and when I tell my friends and family and they flip out.'
Mr Constable said he would highly recommend the BAM program to other students.
'I have had a lot of experience working with film students from other established universities and none get the hands on experience you get when completing USQ’s BAM.
'Everyone had fun and the lecturers are easy going and hilarious, they are more of a friend than a lecturer.
'It is the quality of the work that gets you places in this industry, which is why I often go back to USQ to source crew for my newer projects, they get to show what they can do and I get to make another great film, it is win-win.'
USQ BAM Lecturer Dr Daryl Sparkes said he was proud of Mr Constable’s achievements.
'The Bachelor of Applied Media is designed specifically for graduates to access these sorts of high level jobs in the competitive film and television industry. After doing the degree you are employment ready which is what the industry likes,' Dr Sparkes said.
'Ät USQ we maintain strong media industry links to ensure the progression from University to the workplace is successful. Mark is one of many graduates from the BAM who are now working their dream jobs in the film and television industry.
'We ensure all of our graduates are industry ready. Mark’s first job out of University is working with Steven Speilberg. I hear similar stories from previous students all the time.
'It makes me very proud to see that USQ is helping these graduates achieve such wonderful success in their lives.'
Contact Details:
Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119, 0438 309 096
At the University of Southern Queensland, we’re proud of our community. On Open Day, we get to show you how we work with YOU. Whatever you’re thinking, whatever questions you have, we’ll do everything we can to make this day a turning point in your life. It’s why it’s our favourite day of the year. It’s when we meet our next USQ heroes.
Date: 28 August 2011
Time: 10am - 2pm
Where: Education City, Sinnathamby Boulevard, Springfield Central
For further information visit usq.edu.au/openday or contact us on 1800 269 500 or studyspringfield@usq.edu.au
It would be a brave person who’d suggest to 2011 Sinnathamby Continuing Scholarship recipient, Laura Inglis that with two degrees already under her belt, an impressive career in healthcare and management behind her and three children, she should just sit back and rest for awhile. A powerhouse of energy, Ms Inglis is not only embarking on a second career in law but is racking up a 6.33 grade point average in the Bachelor of Laws program and a Dean’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement while she is at it.
Ms Inglis said she was very grateful to Springfield Land Corporation for the scholarship which is valued at $15,600. “The support the scholarship offers will really make a difference to me,” she said.
This isn’t the first time Ms Inglis has found herself at such a crossroads. “In 1999 I withdrew from a business/law degree because of financial reasons ,” she said. “At the time I had a 5 year-old and 2 year-old twin boys. Now that my children are older I have re-enrolled to follow my dream of obtaining a law degree.”
“One of my twins would like to follow in my footsteps and go onto university studies, so I believe it is important to be a role model to him by finishing my own studies while providing him with the best education to prepare him for an academic career.
“I would like to thank Springfield Land Corporation very much for the opportunity to continue as I am not superwoman and things were beginning to be stretched too tight.” On completion of her Law degree Ms Inglis would like to further study to become a Barrister and work in either criminal defense or medical negligence.
Springfield Land Corporation Chairman Maha Sinnathamby congratulated Ms Inglis on her quest for academic improvement.
“I am very proud to be able to assist Laura in achieving her academic goals,” Mr Sinnathamby said.
“Education is the currency of the future and we are always happy to invest in a student who realises its value and has a thirst for knowledge.”
“Education is central to the Greater Springfield story and that’s why we have invested in a lifelong learning precinct called Education City.
“Around 14 years ago we welcomed our first student to the city. Now there are more than 8700 students learning in Greater Springfield in one form or another which is staggering growth by anyone’s measure.”
Springfield Land Corporation Chairman Maha Sinnathamby has welcomed the Premier’s commitment to public transport in the fast-growing western corridor.
“I have to applaud the Premier for her visionary approach and for her very strong leadership in this,” Mr Sinnathamby said.
“The train station will be a huge benefit to the whole region, which has been planned to accommodate up to half a million in the next 30 years. It is a huge opportunity for decentralisation from Brisbane.
“The news that construction will start on stations at both Springfield Central and Springfield Lakes is an indication of the pace of growth in the western region.”
The Premier’s announcement is available:
http://www.greaterspringfield.com.au/two-new-rail-stations-announced-for-greater-s.html
Media Coverage of the rail announcement:
Queensland Times
Brisbane Times
Queensland Business Review
The school is proposed to open at the start of 2013 with grades prep to three with one year level added per year, and pending government accreditation.
Delfin Lend Lease Project Director Ian Murray said the announcement has been welcomed by the Springfield Lakes community.
"The Springfield area has secured its reputation as an education hub, and with one family moving to Springfield Lakes each day, we have welcomed the plans from Catholic Education to build an additional school in our community, giving our residents more options and our community room to grow," Mr Murray said.
"Here at Springfield Lakes we pride ourselves on offering our residents all they need right on their doorsteps, from schools to shopping, dining and recreational facilities."
Catholic Education Brisbane Executive Director David Hutton said the proposed school would meet the growing demand for educational institutions in the area.
"This school will serve the rapidly-growing areas in and around Springfield Lakes and will complement our current Prep to Year 12 College, St Augustine's," Mr Hutton said.
"A master plan has been developed for the new school and has been submitted to Ipswich City Council for the necessary approvals. Application has been made also to the Queensland Government's Non-State Schools Accreditation Board."
Springfield Land Corporation Chairman Maha Sinnathamby applauded the announcement and welcomed news of another Catholic school in Greater Springfield.
"We are buoyed by the success of St. Augustine's and are looking forward to seeing another school under construction," Mr Sinnathamby said.
"Education is the soul of Greater Springfield and that's why we have invested in a lifelong learning precinct called Education City, which brings a range of educators into one unique environment.
"Around 14 years ago we welcomed our first student to the city. Now there are more than 8,500 students learning in Greater Springfield in one form or another which is staggering growth by anyone's measure."
A steering committee has now been formed to guide the development of the new school.
Springfield Lakes enjoys access to world class educational facilities including two new state schools (primary and secondary) which recently opened, dining and shopping precincts and public transport options including a $475 million dollar rail line coming in 2013 , with Orion Springfield Central and Brookwater Golf Course right on its doorstep.
The vibrant community offers many living options, from waterfront living to a city fringe lifestyle with 120-hectares of open space, including leafy streetscapes, parks, lakes and a network of hike and bike trails.
More than 11,900 residents currently call Springfield Lakes home, with an expected population of 30,000 on completion.
Springfield Lakes is being developed by Delfin Lend Lease, Australia's largest developer of master planned communities, with more than 26 projects nationally.
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