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From Northpine Christian To Northpine Adventist: Dakabin School Adopts New Identity

For generations of families in Moreton Bay, the school on Hughes Road East has been known as Northpine Christian College. In 2026, the Dakabin campus entered a new era, officially becoming Northpine Adventist College after a two-year rebrand designed to align the school more closely with the global Adventist education network while maintaining the community identity it has built since 1953.

Read: Street Spotlight: Hughes Rd E, Dakabin

The college officially unveiled its new name, logo, colours and branding at the beginning of 2026, following consultation with staff, students, families and alumni. The rebrand aligns the Prep to Year 12 school more closely with the wider Adventist education network, which operates schools, churches and aged care services across Australia and internationally.

Photo credit: Northpine Adventist College

Principal Jeanette Martin said the rebrand does not change the core identity of the school, but presents it more clearly within the broader Adventist community. The college says its Christian values, academic programs and community culture remain unchanged under the new name.

Ceremony marks official transition

The college formally marked its transition to Northpine Adventist College with a renaming and ribbon-cutting ceremony held on campus last January. The event was attended by staff, invited guests and former school leaders, including Adventist Schools Australia national education director Jack Ryan, South Queensland education director Gary Marsters and former principal Graham Baird.

Mrs Martin led proceedings, which included the unveiling of the college’s updated branding and signage. Pastor Sarah Redman delivered a dedication for the newly completed Stage 8 building. Staff also participated in a prayer service before gathering for morning tea. The ceremony highlighted the college’s connection to the Adventist education network.

Consultation undertaken during the rebrand process also informed the school’s updated values framework. The college adopted four core values, Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence, grouped under the acronym RISE, alongside a new motto, Together We Rise.

The college entered 2026 following the release of its 2025 senior results. According to figures published by Moreton Daily, all eligible Year 12 students achieved their Queensland Certificate of Education in 2025. Seventeen per cent of students received an ATAR of 95 or above, 43 per cent achieved 90 or higher, and 78 per cent achieved 80 or above.

The campus has also undergone several upgrades. The new Stage 8 building, dedicated during the January ceremony and scheduled to officially open on 18 May, includes specialist art and photography studios, classrooms, a primary staff room and expanded sports facilities.

Read: Infrastructure and Services Expansion in North Lakes, Dakabin and Deception Bay

Other recent works across the Hughes Road East campus include a refurbishment of the Early Learning Centre, upgrades to science laboratories and roofing works over the tennis courts. New signage reflecting the college’s updated branding has also been installed throughout the grounds.

More than 70 years after opening, the college now operates under a revised identity aligned more closely with the Adventist education system.

Published 11-May-2026

North Lakes, Mango Hill And Petrie Commuters Face Longer Waits Under Reduced Train Timetable

Photo Credit: Translink/Facebook

Commuters in and around North Lakes, Mango Hill and Petrie are being urged to allow extra travel time as Queensland Rail runs a reduced weekday timetable across South East Queensland, with key northern services operating less often and some trains reduced to three-car services.

Northern Rail Lines Move To Reduced Services

The changes affect the Redcliffe Peninsula and Caboolture lines, both of which are important routes for commuters travelling through Brisbane’s northern corridor.

The reduced timetable began on Tuesday, 5 May, and remains in place until further notice. Weekday services are operating on a modified schedule similar to a Saturday timetable, with extra trains during the morning and afternoon peaks.

The changes have been introduced due to protected industrial action. Across the wider network, the reduction amounts to 273 fewer weekday train services.

North Lakes trains — Photo Credit: Translink/Facebook

North Lakes, Mango Hill And Petrie Passengers Face Busier Trips

During peak travel periods, services on the Redcliffe Peninsula and Caboolture lines are running every 15 minutes. Outside peak times, most trains are operating about every 30 minutes.

For commuters in areas such as North Lakes, Mango Hill and Petrie, that means longer gaps between some services and more pressure on peak-hour travel. Passengers who usually rely on frequent weekday trains may need to adjust their routines while the reduced timetable remains in place.

Some trains will also operate as three-car services until further notice. Passengers have been advised to allow extra travel time and consider catching an earlier or later service where possible, as trains are expected to be more crowded than usual.

Passengers Told To Check Before Travelling

Queensland Rail has advised passengers to check the TransLink journey planner before travelling. The journey planner has been updated until Friday, 8 May, with the latest timetable information.

The advice applies across affected South East Queensland services, including the Redcliffe Peninsula and Caboolture lines. Commuters are being encouraged to replan their journeys before leaving home, particularly during peak travel periods.

No end date has been confirmed for the reduced timetable. Further changes may be made if network conditions change, but passengers are currently being told to expect the altered schedule to remain in place until further notice.

Published 7-May-2026

From North Lakes to Vancouver: Max Cunningham Earns His Junior Dolphins Call-up

Max Cunningham/Instagram

North Lakes swimmer Max Cunningham has earned selection in Australia’s Junior Dolphins squad for the 2026 Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Vancouver, Canada, fulfilling what the 16-year-old described as one of his main goals heading into the Australian Age Championships on the Gold Coast.

The Brisbane Grammar swimmer, whose full name is Maxwell Cunningham, qualified with times in the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly, events in which he also took out Age 16 Years gold at the championships. His individual program in Vancouver from 17 to 20 August is yet to be confirmed, but the call-up itself represents a significant leap forward in a career that is developing quickly.

“This was always a goal leading up to the Age Championships and will definitely be the toughest level of competition I’ve faced,” Max said.

A breakthrough week on the Gold Coast

Max’s performances across the meet earned him his place in the 32-strong junior squad. He won the Age 16 Years 100m butterfly in 53.37 seconds and the 100m freestyle in 49.97 seconds, both qualifying times for Junior Pan Pacs. He also claimed the 50m butterfly final in 24.17 seconds, having set an Australian age group record of 24.09 in the heats.

That record-breaking swim was not enough to qualify for Vancouver in that event, but it signals the kind of raw speed that has his coaches and supporters paying close attention.

“At the Age Championships my main goal was to make Junior Pan Pacs,” he said. “I already had the 100m butterfly qualifying time from the State titles. I wanted to do the qualifying time again and just missed out on a couple of other targets, but that’s all good. I’m happy with where I am at the moment, but there’s always more to find, more to come.”

Brisbane Grammar provided two swimmers to the Junior Dolphins squad, with Cunningham joined by Eloise McLellan, contributing to a team of 15 Queensland representatives among the 32 selected from across the country.

A step up from New Zealand to the world stage

Max’s previous overseas competition was with Swimming Queensland at the New Zealand Short Course Championships in 2024, a useful introduction to international racing. Vancouver is a considerably bigger stage. The Junior Pan Pacs are held every two years between charter nations Australia, USA, Japan and Canada, and have consistently produced swimmers who go on to represent Australia at senior level.

The 2024 edition, held at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, sent graduates straight into senior Dolphins contention.

For a 16-year-old from North Lakes who trained at Grace Lutheran Rothwell before moving to Brisbane Grammar, the competition in Vancouver will mark his first time racing in the green and gold on the international stage.

Bigger goals already in sight

Max is focused on Vancouver rather than the upcoming Commonwealth Games, which he will not trial for. His longer-term targets, however, are set with considerable ambition. Los Angeles 2028 is “kind of in the view,” and Brisbane 2032, a home Olympics, is a “massive goal.”

He is pursuing all of this while juggling Year 12 schoolwork and a part-time job, a balancing act that most 16-year-olds would find daunting without the training load. Max is matter-of-fact about it. “After that we’ll see where the wind takes me,” he said. “I’m almost 17, so hopefully I’ll also be able to drive myself soon.”

For a swimmer who has already set an Australian age record and earned a national junior call-up in the same week, the wind seems to be blowing in the right direction.

Published 7-May-2026

New Homes Coming to Deception Bay as Part of Moreton Bay Housing Push

The first sod has been turned on a new housing development in Deception Bay, marking a significant step forward in efforts to ease the region’s growing affordability crisis.

Read: Deception Bay Team Takes Part In Couch Surf Fundraiser For Youth Housing Support

Construction is now officially underway on 36 social and affordable homes. The development is being delivered by Coast2Bay Housing and constructed by Badge Constructions. The site will include 18 one-bedroom, 12 two-bedroom and six three-bedroom homes. Half of the 36 properties will be social housing, with the remaining 18 designated as affordable rental homes for low- and moderate-income households.

Who It’s For

Photo credit: Facebook/City of Moreton Bay

Coast2Bay CEO Andrew Elvin said at the sod-turning ceremony that the homes are intended for people on low and moderate incomes who need secure homes close to jobs, services and family. He noted that the organisation’s local office in Caboolture gives them direct knowledge of housing pressures in the Moreton Bay region and allows them to provide hands-on support to tenants.

Public Funding and Support

The Deception Bay project is one of 620 social and affordable homes being delivered across the Moreton Bay region. It is supported by Queensland and funded in part through the federal Housing Australia Future Fund.

Read: Waterfront Apartment Development Site Listed In Deception Bay

Queensland Housing Minister Sam O’Connor attended the sod-turning, saying the project is the kind of development he wants to see more of to meet housing need in the region. He said the priority is getting homes built where they are needed most.

Federal Member for Petrie Emma Comer, Queensland Senator Corinne Mulholland and Moreton Bay Acting Mayor Jodie Shipway also attended the ceremony.

Badge Constructions will carry out the build, with Coast2Bay Housing providing and managing the social and affordable homes on the site. The development is scheduled to be finished by mid-2027.

Published 6-May-2026

Small Wins, Big Love: A Mother’s Day Story from North Lakes

Across North Lakes, many mums will be celebrated this Mother’s Day, but for Caitlyn Pyatt, the day carries a deeper meaning shaped by resilience. It’s not about grand gestures, but small victories — a pain-free afternoon, a successful recovery, a moment where her 8-year-old son, Jack, can simply keep up with his friends.

A different kind of motherhood

Motherhood, for Caitlyn, has always come with an added layer of uncertainty.

Little Jack Pyatt was born with a small growth on his shoulder blade.

At two years old, he was diagnosed with a rare genetic bone condition, known as Multiple Hereditary Exostoses, requiring regular surgeries throughout his childhood.

The disorder causes benign cartilage-capped bone tumours to grow from bone surfaces primarily near growth plates, leading to pain, deformities, limited joint motion and a slight risk of turning into a slow-growing bone cancer.

Between home and hospital

Jack has been admitted to hospital nearly every second year to remove or reduce the bone growths that affect his movement, all performed by paediatric orthopaedic surgeon Dr Sarah Murgatroyd at Redcliffe Hospital.

Each procedure is delicate, each recovery uncertain.

“When the tumours grow, they cause pain and reduced mobility.”

“The surgeries involve using specialised tools to remove additional bone growth, requiring precision as surgeons work with smaller ligaments, muscles, nerves and arteries in a confined space.”

In some cases, the bone can be easily removed from its position, while in others, it must be shaved down, she explained.

“Throughout these procedures, the surgical team remains mindful that they are working on a child – the ligaments, muscles, nerves, and arteries are significantly smaller than those of an adult, the workspace is much more confined and requires extreme precision,” she explains.

“The most difficult moments are when Jack goes under anaesthesia and wakes up disoriented and in pain during recovery – it’s more than I can handle as a mother,” Caitlyn says.

Without the surgeries, Jack would not be able to walk properly and his fine motor skills would be impaired, she said.

“The hardest part is seeing him struggle with basic tasks like writing or running. It’s heartbreaking when he gets frustrated because he can’t keep up with his peers,” Caitlyn says.

“It truly teaches you never to take simple things like movement, sight and hearing for granted,” she added.

Holding onto normal

Back in North Lakes, Caitlyn works hard to keep life feeling as normal as possible. School drop-offs, homework, sibling dynamics — all continue alongside hospital appointments and recovery periods.

Caitlyn is a property manager at Ray White North Lakes. She has managed the demands of her career while ensuring Jack receives the medical care he needs.

Her family includes husband Ashley, stepchildren Nathan (14) and Mahalia (13), and daughter Dakota (9). Nathan also has the genetic condition and has undergone several surgeries, including a fixator on his arm.

“I feel very fortunate to have my husband and such a strong support network so that I never have to face those moments, or any of this journey, alone.”

Despite the challenges, Caitlyn avoids wrapping her children in cotton wool.

“We don’t overprotect him,” she says. “Jack sets his own limits.”

It’s an admirable philosophy — one that gives her children space to grow, even within constraints.

The balancing act

Like many mums, Caitlyn juggles work at Ray White North Lakes and family — but with added unpredictability.

Working in property management, she relies on clear and transparent communication when Jack is in hospital, letting clients know when family needs come first.

When Jack is in hospital, she keeps clients informed about her availability.

“I’m upfront with clients if I have appointments scheduled when Jack is in hospital,” she says. “They understand that if I’m not responding as quickly as usual, there’s a personal matter requiring my attention.”

Still, it requires constant adjustment, and it’s a mental load familiar to many mothers, intensified by medical uncertainty.

Mother’s Day is in the everyday things

For Caitlyn, Mother’s Day isn’t defined by flowers or cards. It’s found in the everyday things. It’s in resilience, patience, and the ability to keep going through the hardest moments.

“It truly teaches you never to take simple things like movement, sight and hearing for granted.”

This year, like every year, she’ll likely spend it the same way she spends most days — showing up, supporting her children, and finding strength in the small wins.

Many mothers will recognise that kind of love.

Published 5-May-2026

Deception Bay’s 50m Pool Will Stay Unheated, Despite a Push from Local Swimmers

Deception Bay Aquatic Centre

A petition calling for the 50-metre pool at Deception Bay Aquatic Centre to be heated and opened year-round has not succeeded, with the City of Moreton Bay citing low patronage as the reason heating the outdoor pool is not financially viable.

The petition, organised by local swimmer Emanuela Bassi, gathered 53 signatures from residents calling for the facility at 153 Maine Terrace to remain open through winter, currently May to August. The response, delivered following a general meeting earlier this month, was clear: the numbers do not stack up.

“The very low patronage of Deception Bay’s 50m pool means it is currently not sustainable to install heaters and subsidise the cost of energy, water, staff, and maintenance at this venue,” a City of Moreton Bay spokesperson said.

A Facility with Everything But a Heater

While the Deception Bay Aquatic Centre already hosts a heated indoor programme pool for therapy and rehabilitation, it’s the outdoor 50m pool that lap swimmers rely on that remains cold and closed throughout the winter.

Photo Credit: Deception Bay Aquatic Centre

For Bassi, who swims at the centre four or five times a week, that distinction matters enormously. She drives further to access a heated 50m pool each winter and says she is not alone in that inconvenience.

“I had a chat last year with some people coming to swim and all of them would have stayed in Deception Bay in winter if the pool was heated,” she said. “It’s a beautiful facility. It’s big, has a 50m pool, everything is there. If they organised winter classes, like in Redcliffe and Burpengary, people would come in winter.”

Bassi ran the petition as a trial run rather than an organised campaign, and believes a stronger effort could attract more support.

“I did this as a trial, not knowing if anyone else felt the same way. I think I could have raised more signatures if I was there.”

Where to Swim This Winter

For Deception Bay, Murrumba Downs, Dayboro and Woodford residents whose local pools will close in May, the City of Moreton Bay has pointed to three nearby heated alternatives: Redcliffe War Memorial Pool, which features a 50m indoor heated pool; Burpengary Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre; and North Lakes Aquatic Centre, which offers both indoor and outdoor heated pools alongside aqua aerobics, squad training and learn-to-swim programmes.

Deception Bay Aquatic Centre is at 153 Maine Terrace, Deception Bay. For seasonal opening hours and programme information, visit deceptionbaypool.com.au or call the centre directly at 07 3204 7845.

Published 29-April-2026

Avela Adds to Mango Hill’s Growing Housing Pipeline With $100-M Townhouse Proposal

A 116-townhouse community with a resort-style pool, landscaped recreation areas and an amphitheatre could soon reshape a key pocket of Mango Hill, with plans lodged for a $100-million project called Avela.

Read: Mango Hill Families Score Major Win With Local Pub Entertainment Hub

The proposal arrives at a pointed moment for the suburb. Mango Hill’s median house price has climbed 13.5 per cent over the past year to $1,032,500, a trajectory that has prompted the developer to position townhouse living as a more attainable option in the suburb.

The project is being driven by development group Chapter Two. The group previously delivered Kinsella’s Rise in the suburb, a land estate that sold out in 2023, and is now returning with a townhouse product rather than a land estate.

What Is Avela and What Does It Include?

The proposed site sits directly opposite Mango Hill Secondary College, within easy reach of public transport, Westfield North Lakes, university facilities and major health services. More than 6,000 square metres of the site would be set aside for communal open space, anchored by a resort-style pool and pavilion, with landscaped recreation areas and a natural bush backdrop framing an outdoor amphitheatre.

Avela is framed in the plans as a more attainable alternative to detached housing, with the developer citing rising house prices as context for the project. Pricing for the townhouses has not yet been announced.

Subject to council approval, sales and construction are expected to begin in 2027.

The proposal comes alongside another housing initiative taking shape in Mango Hill. Queensland is currently partnering with community housing provider Y-Care to deliver 47 affordable homes in the suburb specifically for older women, a project expected to be completed by late 2026.

Read: Waterfront Apartment Development Site Listed In Deception Bay

Taken together, the activity points to a suburb under real pressure to house a growing and increasingly diverse population. Townhouse developments have been increasingly promoted by developers across South-East Queensland as an intermediate option between detached homes and apartments.

Published 27-April-2026

North Lakes Athlete Evan Han Wins Silver At Oceania Taekwondo Championships

Photo Credit: PK Taekwondo/Facebook

A North Lakes taekwondo athlete has secured a silver medal at the Oceania Championships, adding to a strong run of results for PK Taekwondo.

Silver Finish At Oceania Championships

North Lakes competitor Evan Han placed second at the Oceania Taekwondo Championships, held in New South Wales following the March 28 event in Liverpool, competing in the Cadet Male -41kg division. He finished behind Brayden Zhu, with Benjamin Banh and Roy Ahn sharing third place.

Han earned his place at the championships through the selection trials, where he came through five fights in a single day to secure a podium finish and qualify for the Australian team. At the Oceania event, he finished second in his division after a close loss in the deciding bout.

North Lakes Preparation Leads Into Titles

Han’s silver medal followed his result at the Sunshine Coast Open in early March, where he won gold in the Cadet -41kg division and was named Best Male Athlete.

That event served as his final preparation before competing at the Oceania Championship in Liverpool on March 28. His qualification campaign had also seen him finish third at the trials last month, securing his place at the international event after progressing through multiple bouts in one day.

Evan Han PK Taekwondo — *Photo Credit: PK Taekwondo/Facebook*

Club Results Extend North Lakes Success

While Han competed in Liverpool, his North Lakes-based club recorded strong results at the Australian Taekwondo Queensland State Open at Brendale.

PK Taekwondo secured the Overall Kyorugi Club Championship, along with the Male and Female Kyorugi club titles. In sparring, the club collected 36 gold medals, nine silver and one bronze.

In poomsae, athletes added five gold medals and two bronze, contributing to a broad medal haul across divisions.

Results Add To North Lakes Achievements

Han’s silver medal follows his earlier gold medal and Best Male Athlete award at the Sunshine Coast Open in March. It also comes alongside the club’s multiple titles and medal results at Brendale, marking a strong period for the North Lakes-based program.

Published 22-Apr-2026

Smoke Drifts Across Moreton Bay as Planned Burn-Offs Begin

Featured Image Credit: City of Moreton Bay/YouTube

Residents across Moreton Bay are waking to smoke drifting over suburbs as planned burn-offs begin across bushland areas, with fire crews lighting controlled fires to reduce the threat of bushfires before peak season. From Bribie Island to Upper Caboolture, these managed burns are already affecting nearby communities, with smoke expected to hang in the air for days even after flames are extinguished.

The burns began with activity recorded around April 15 and continuing through April 16, according to local authorities. Crews carried out operations in areas including Bribie Island, particularly near Mermaid Lagoon, as well as Upper Caboolture, while new sites such as Albany Creek were scheduled to follow as conditions allowed.

Smoke spreads beyond burn zones into nearby suburbs

While the fires are controlled, the effects are not limited to the burn sites themselves. Smoke from operations near Banksia Beach has been reported drifting into nearby areas such as Toorbul and Sandstone Point, affecting visibility and air quality. Authorities have advised residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed when smoke is present.

Even after a burn is completed, crews continue to patrol and monitor the area for several days to ensure the fire remains contained. This means some suburbs may continue to experience smoke or restricted access beyond the initial burn period.

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/YouTube

Moreton Bay hazard reduction burns: affected suburbs and status

Suburb / Area	Burn Status	Community Impact
Bribie Island (Banksia Beach)	Completed / Recent	Smoke lingering, monitoring ongoing
Upper Caboolture	Completed / Recent	Possible residual smoke, patrols in place
Albany Creek	Scheduled / Likely underway	Possible smoke if conditions met
Toorbul	Indirect impact	Smoke drift reported from nearby burns
Sandstone Point	Indirect impact	Smoke drift affecting area
Bellara	Planned	Future burn, timing dependent on weather
Burpengary	Planned	Future burn, no fixed schedule
Caboolture	Planned	Future burn, no fixed schedule
Deception Bay	Planned	Future burn, no fixed schedule
Griffin	Planned	Future burn, no fixed schedule
Mount Glorious	Planned	Future burn in bushland areas
Ningi	Planned	Future burn, timing to be confirmed
Whiteside	Planned	Future burn, no fixed schedule
Woodford	Planned	Future burn, rural bushland areas

No fixed schedule as weather dictates next burns

Although more than a dozen additional burn sites have been identified across Moreton Bay, including Burpengary, Deception Bay, Griffin and Woodford, there is no set timetable for when each location will be treated. Authorities rely on specific weather and environmental conditions before lighting any fire, meaning plans can shift quickly.

Burn season typically runs from March to August, but officials note that operations can take place at any time of the year if conditions are safe. This flexible approach is designed to ensure each burn can be carried out with minimal risk to surrounding communities.

Balancing fire prevention with environmental care

Officials say the burns play a key role in reducing fuel loads such as dry leaves and fallen branches, which can feed dangerous bushfires during hotter months. At the same time, the process is managed to protect local wildlife and vegetation.

Before each burn, teams assess the site to identify sensitive habitats and species. Measures such as clearing around trees and monitoring wildlife during the burn are put in place. The use of aerial incendiary drones has also been introduced to help crews ignite fires more precisely, particularly in hard-to-reach terrain.

Authorities say these planned burns also support the natural cycle of some native plants, which rely on fire or smoke to trigger growth and seed release, helping maintain the region’s biodiversity.

Published 20-April-2026

A Cross Built From a Fallen Tree: Mt Maria College Petrie Finds Hope at the Heart of Easter

Mt Maria College Petrie/Facebook

Students and staff at Mt Maria College in Petrie gathered this Easter to remember the Passion of Good Friday and celebrate the hope of the Resurrection, marking the season with a moment that brought together faith, community and the unexpected beauty of something made from loss.

Petrie parish priest Fr Louie Jimenez blessed and installed a new college cross during the school’s Easter gathering, carved from the timber of a college tree brought down by Cyclone Alfred. For a community that weathered the storm together, the cross carries a meaning that goes well beyond decoration.

Something Beautiful From the Storm

Mt Maria College principal Kerry Maher described the cross as a powerful symbol of resilience and renewal for the whole community. “Easter invites us to pause and reflect on suffering, sacrifice and renewal,” she said. “Even in times of challenge, hope can be restored and new life can emerge.”

The cross was not kept within the school’s walls. It was also used during Petrie Parish’s Good Friday Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, deepening the connection between the college and its parish community and giving the symbol a life that reached beyond the school gates.

That connection between school and parish is central to how Mt Maria approaches formation. Students and staff from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and beliefs gathered in shared prayer for the occasion, finding common ground in the season’s themes of suffering, hope and renewal.

“When we educate the whole person, spiritually, academically, socially and emotionally, we create the conditions for young people to grow as hopeful and confident learners,” Ms Maher said.

Part of Something Bigger Than One School

Mt Maria’s Easter gathering took place against a backdrop of Easter activities across Brisbane Catholic Education’s 146 schools, each finding their own way to live out the season’s meaning in community.

St Eugene College in Burpengary raised more than $8,000 for Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion this Easter, channelling their patron saint’s spirit of charity and generosity into house initiatives and whole-school events. The fundraising reflected a conviction that belonging extends beyond the school community and out towards what students described as a global family.

“Their aim was to show how small, shared actions could bring hope and change for people at the margins,” a spokesperson for the college said.

St Ignatius School in Toowong also raised funds for Project Compassion, combining an Easter Hat Parade with donation drives for Easter eggs, soft toys, activities and stickers. Principal Benedict Campbell described hope as the thread running through the whole effort.

“Hope is not about ignoring the challenges people face,” he said. “Rather, hope invites students to walk alongside others with compassion, trusting that love and faith can bring light even in difficult times. At Easter, we are reminded of Jesus’ example; he did not turn away from the suffering of the world but responded with care, generosity and self-giving love.”

Walking the Road Together

Sophia College in Plainland offered its first-ever cohort of Year 12 students an Easter experience designed to be immersive rather than observational. The students walked the Stations of the Cross with Franciscan Father Bernie Thomas at St Mary’s Church in Ipswich, praying and reflecting together at each station.

Principal Narelle Dobson said the experience reminded students that they were not walking alone. “Hope brings people together, gives meaning to shared moments and helps a community grow not just in size but in spirit,” she said.

Why It Resonates Here in Petrie

For the North Lakes and Petrie community, Mt Maria College’s Easter gathering carries a particular local resonance. Cyclone Alfred was not an abstract weather event for this part of southeast Queensland; it was something residents lived through, cleaned up after and are still processing. A cross made from a tree that the cyclone brought down, blessed and installed at the heart of the school, is the kind of thing that turns a religious observance into something genuinely local and deeply felt.

That is what community schools do at their best. They take the universal themes of a season, hope, renewal, the idea that something good can come from something hard, and make them specific to the place and the people who call it home.

Published 8-April-2026