Be Part of What Comes Next

St James College is excited to open our brand-new Junior School Precinct for Years 5, 6 and 7 at the beginning of the 2027 school year.

Join us for a special Junior School Precinct Preview Evening and discover what’s ahead for our youngest learners. Meet our team, learn more about the new precinct and our approach to learning and wellbeing, explore the opportunities available at St James.

• Tuesday 8 September at 5:30pm
• St James College Santiago Building, 60 Gloucester Street, Spring Hill
• Parking on-site

Come and discover the next chapter of St James College by registering on the form below.

Year 5 in a Secondary School Setting
Starting Year 5 is an important next step, and we understand that every child will approach it differently.

At St James, students are welcomed into an environment designed to provide the security and connection younger learners need, while gradually introducing them to the opportunities of a secondary school setting.

They are supported by teachers and staff who understand this important stage of development and take the time to know each student, their strengths, interests, challenges and aspirations.
It means students can grow in confidence at their own pace, while beginning to experience greater independence, new subjects and opportunities that encourage them to look ahead with excitement.

Developing Students from a Younger Age

Young people are curious about the world around them and increasingly want to understand where they fit within it.

By engaging students in a broader learning environment from an earlier age, we can encourage them to ask questions, solve problems, think creatively and discover what interests them.
Being part of a Years 5 to 12 College also creates opportunities for younger students to learn alongside and connect with older students through mentoring, leadership, sport, culture and College life.

They can see what comes next, meet students already pursuing their passions and begin imagining what their own future might look like.
Just as importantly, they learn that their ideas, actions and contribution matter, within our College and in the wider community.

Pastoral Care

Wellbeing sits at the heart of learning at St James.
We know the transition through the middle years can bring significant change for young people and their families. Our approach is built around strong relationships, connection and ensuring students have people around them who know them and are there when they need support.
Teachers, House Deans and specialist support staff work closely with students and families, with access to counsellors, an art therapist, a school youth health nurse and broader wellbeing support.

We want our students to develop confidence, resilience, empathy and a strong sense of belonging, foundations that will support them throughout their time at St James and well beyond school.

Leadership Development

At St James, leadership is not reserved for a select few.
We encourage every student to recognise that leadership can be demonstrated through their choices, their actions, their willingness to help others and the contribution they make to their community.

From their earliest years at the College, students have opportunities to develop their voice, take responsibility, participate and learn from the students around them.

Being part of a Years 5 to 12 community means younger students can see leadership in action. They see older students performing, competing, mentoring, serving and pursuing different pathways, and begin to recognise those same possibilities within themselves.

Over time, aspirations grow and students can begin to see not only where they are now, but who they might become.

Curriculum

Learning at St James is designed to inspire curiosity and help students make connections between what they learn and the world around them.
Students are encouraged to question, investigate, create, collaborate and solve problems across a broad curriculum.

Through areas including STEM, debating, creative arts, culture, sport and project-based learning, students have opportunities to explore different ways of thinking and discover where their strengths and interests lie.

We want young people to become confident learners who can think independently, communicate effectively, work with others and approach new challenges with curiosity.
These are skills for school, but importantly, they are also skills for life.

Access to Secondary School Resources and Facilities

One of the advantages of beginning at St James from Year 5 is access to the breadth of opportunities and resources available within a secondary College.
Students can learn with specialist teachers and experience dedicated spaces across science, technology, creative arts, sport and other curriculum areas.

College facilities include science and technology laboratories, a Health Hub, Trade Training Centre, Commercial Hospitality Kitchen, performing arts spaces and extensive sporting and outdoor education resources. For younger students, this opens the door to experiences they may not otherwise encounter until much later in their education. It gives them the freedom to try something new, discover an unexpected talent and begin exploring the many pathways available to them.

Developing Skills for the Future Earlier

The world our students will enter is changing rapidly, and education must prepare them for more than one particular job or pathway.

At St James, we focus on developing the transferable skills young people will need wherever their future takes them, communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability and confidence.

Giving students access to diverse learning experiences from an earlier age allows them to explore their interests, develop new capabilities and discover what motivates them.
Some will find their passion in science or technology. Others through the arts, sport, culture, leadership, trades, service or academic learning. There is no single pathway to success.

Our role is to create an environment where young people can discover who they are, recognise what they can contribute and develop the skills and confidence to shape what comes next.
Preparing students for the future is not simply about helping them succeed in the world they inherit. It is about empowering them to participate in it, contribute to their communities and help create what comes next.

Cultural Competence

The future is global, connected and diverse, and at St James, students experience that reality every day.

Our College community represents more than 70 countries, bringing together different cultures, languages, perspectives and lived experiences. This diversity is one of our greatest strengths and an important part of how we prepare young people for their future.

Students learn alongside people whose experiences may be different from their own. They develop the confidence to communicate across cultures, listen to different perspectives, build relationships and approach the world with curiosity, empathy and respect.

Cultural expression is also an important part of College life. Through performances, celebrations, events, leadership opportunities and our co-curricular program, students are encouraged to share their culture, learn from others and take pride in who they are.

As a Lighthouse School for equity, diversity and inclusion, we want every young person to know that their background does not define or limit what they can achieve. The diversity of our community creates a richer learning environment for everyone.

These experiences prepare students for further study, future careers and life beyond school, developing confident global citizens who can connect with others and make a positive contribution to their communities.

Excellence in Sport and the Arts

At St James, learning extends well beyond the classroom.
Our extensive sport, creative arts, performing arts and cultural programs give students opportunities to discover new interests, develop their talents, build confidence and find where they belong.

Students can participate and compete across a broad range of sports, with pathways extending from school participation through to high-performance opportunities. Our programs focus on performance while developing the qualities that extend far beyond sport; teamwork, resilience, commitment, leadership and the confidence to take on new challenges.

Through music, dance, drama, visual arts and cultural performance, students are encouraged to find their voice and express who they are. Our diverse College community creates opportunities for cultural expression that are uniquely St James, with students proudly sharing their cultures through College and community events.

Whether a student finds their place on the sporting field, on stage, through music, art, culture or something they have never tried before, we want them to have the opportunity to explore their strengths and pursue what inspires them.

Success looks different for every young person, and sometimes discovering what you love begins simply by having the opportunity to give it a go.

Tuition Fees and Bursaries

We believe a St James education should be accessible to families from a wide range of backgrounds.

Our tuition and technology fees are competitively positioned, with generous sibling discounts available. Fee concessions may also be available to eligible families.

Through the generosity of our College community and supporters, St James also provides bursary opportunities that can help remove financial barriers to education. Our commitment is to create opportunities for young people to learn, belong, discover their strengths and build a future filled with possibility.