The Australian Education Awards, now in their seventh year, recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the country’s top performing schools, principals, department heads and teachers.

St Andrew’s Principal, Chris Ivey, said the achievement reflected the College’s reputation as a leading independent co-educational school from Prep to Year 12 on the Sunshine Coast, known for its excellence and strong community spirit.

In 2023, the College’s strategic plan undertook a significant revamp, crafted with input from all stakeholders, and charts an ambitious course for the future, focusing on the building of staff and student personal capacity.

Harnessing the shifts in the educational landscape and needs of the future workforce, St Andrew’s has directed its focus, mission and vision to ensure all students can achieve and reach their full potential and be successful in their chosen pathway and equipped to handle a world of change.

“Our College seeks to continually improve and be on the cutting edge of providing a future focused educational experience,” Mr Ivey said.

“Our focus on building Personal Capacity is the central pillar and is the key to our strategic plan and point of difference for our school. This focus ensures every part of each child’s educational journey is based around equipping them to be the best they can be, to find purpose and move confidently into their futures.”

Key to this has been the development and implementation of a Personal Capacity Transcript, which captures and reports on the holistic growth of every student, that sits alongside academic reporting.

This transcript features a learner statement, credits earned from 8 categories, showcased learning and achievements linked to a QR code and subjects studied that year. This is all designed to capture and articulate a broad range of evidenced capabilities and achievements that showcase the learner's broader involvement, strengths and learning.

All Secondary students provide evidence and self-reflections on their involvement, learning and growth from activities inside and outside the College. Once the evidence for one of the credit outcomes is submitted, these are 'endorsed' by their Mentor Teacher through a coaching conversation. The result is a graph that gives a 360-degree view of the involvement and learning of the student.

The PCT is a 'live' document that can be viewed and printed off at any time but will be specifically produced and sent home twice a year. It can be used for job applications, university entry portfolios and celebrating the learning that takes place due to each child’s unique gifts and passions.

“We are one of the first schools in the country to implement a self-evidenced and teacher-endorsed learner profile, and we believe it will be the driver for celebrating the whole child and their growth in personal capacity,” Mr Ivey said.

Nomination evidence for the award comprised the College’s academic achievements, diverse opportunities, the Personal Capacity Transcript tracking students’ holistic growth, and a dedication to lifelong learning via co-curricular and global service activities.

Upcoming infrastructure developments include a Cultural Precinct and a Future Learning building, reflecting its holistic approach to education.

Winning the Secondary School of the Year—Non Government also made the College an excellence awardee in the Australian School of the Year Category.

St Andrew’s has been a regular finalist in these highly prestigious awards, including twice winning ' Best Co-Curricular Program ' in 2019 and 2020 for its Global and Service-Learning Program . Additionally, the College has also been awarded a ‘5-star innovative school’ every year since 2021, highlighting its desire to provide a future focussed educational experience for its students.