St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School Archives - Over The Walter Taylor Bridge

St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School in Corinda has stood out among Queensland’s best. The 2024 NAPLAN results show consistent achievement among public and private institutions across the state.

Among Corinda’s notable educational institutions, St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School continues to achieve outstanding academic outcomes. Their students frequently rank among the top in Queensland for NAPLAN scores, reflecting the school’s strong emphasis on academic excellence.

Personalised Learning in a Close-Knit Community

NAPLAN — *Photo Credit:* *St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School*

With around 1,000 students from Kindergarten to Year 12, St Aidan’s provides an environment where individualised learning flourishes. The school’s smaller size allows for personalised attention and fosters strong teacher-student relationships. This tailored approach helps nurture each student’s aspirations and ensures they receive the support needed to succeed academically and personally.

Exceptional Teaching Staff and Support

St Aidan’s is known for its highly qualified teaching staff, many of whom hold doctorates or are certified as Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers (HALT). This professional expertise ensures students receive quality instruction and guidance throughout their educational journey. The dedication of the staff contributes significantly to the school’s consistent academic success and supportive learning environment.

Diverse Extracurricular Opportunities

Beyond academics, St Aidan’s offers a wide array of extracurricular activities. Students can participate in 17 music ensembles, over 30 clubs — including coding, robotics, and debating — and various sports competitions through associations like QGSSSA. These programs help students develop diverse skills, build friendships, and foster a well-rounded education that supports their interests and talents.

Strong Values and Community Support

Founded by the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent, St Aidan’s promotes core Christian values, inclusivity, and holistic education. The school emphasises compassion, resilience, and responsibility, preparing students to become leaders and engaged community members. This values-driven approach ensures students excel academically and become responsible and caring individuals.

Community Engagement and Instructional Focus

In the broader Corinda community, educational leaders and families credit the success of their schools to strong collaboration between parents, teachers, and students. Schools like Sunnybank Hills State School highlighted the importance of explicit instruction and differentiated learning, which help boost NAPLAN performance.

These successes mirror broader trends in Queensland, where independent and selective schools frequently dominate rankings. However, the achievements of public schools in Corinda reflect the strength of community-focused education and consistent instructional strategies.

Looking Ahead

The 2024 NAPLAN results provide insight into educational strengths and areas for growth. For Corinda and schools like St Aidan’s, these outcomes underscore the value of personalised learning, exceptional teaching, and strong community support. As these schools prioritise academic excellence and holistic education, they remain committed to helping students reach their full potential.

Published Date 09-December-2024

St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School in Corinda faces a crisis as allegations of a toxic workplace culture prompt a staff exodus and a vote of no confidence, significantly impacting student wellbeing.

The issue came into the spotlight when an email, allegedly representing 49 current employees, articulated a deep-seated disillusionment with the school’s leadership under Principal Toni Riordan.

This correspondence, addressed to the school council, catalogued a disturbing trend of 39 departures over the past year, encompassing senior leaders, educators, and support personnel. The email accused Principal Riordan of neglecting serious issues like bullying, thereby exacerbating the toxic environment.

In defense, the school’s spokesperson outlined that the turnover rate paralleled that of other independent schools, attributing departures to common reasons such as retirement and career progression. Despite this, the severity of the allegations has prompted a thorough review following the Complaints Management in Anglican Schools procedures, emphasizing the school’s commitment to the welfare of its community.

St Aidans Anglican Girls School — *Photo Credit: Google Maps*

Beyond the faculty, the instability has taken a significant toll on students, with reports of heightened anxiety, panic attacks, and therapy necessitation. Parents, having invested heavily in their children’s education at St Aidan’s, express profound disappointment and concern over the constant flux of teaching staff.

In March, a mother reported that one of her daughters experienced a panic attack, breaking down in tears due to the departure of yet another teacher, while her other daughter developed severe anxiety and is now on medication, attributed to the stressful environment caused by frequent teacher resignations.

She expressed frustration over the loss of advanced maths, science, and English teachers, deeming it unacceptable given the school’s annual tuition of up to $28,000 per student. Additionally, the family has incurred an extra $30,000 in expenses for private tutoring to compensate for the educational gaps, despite their children previously being high achievers.

The discontent extends to the school’s recent appointments, with the selection of Kim Cohen as interim deputy principal raising eyebrows. Cohen’s arrival from Saint Stephen’s College in Upper Coomera, where she departed amidst controversy, has done little to quell the unrest among the faculty.

As the school council grapples with these complex challenges, the wider community watches closely, hopeful for a resolution that reaffirms the school’s commitment to excellence in education and the well-being of all its members.

Published 1-April-2024

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St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School in Corinda Celebrates NAPLAN Success