Stuartholme, founded in 1920, is a Catholic day and boarding school for girls conducted by a School Board in the tradition of the Sacred Heart. It is only five kilometres from the centre of Brisbane on the eastern face of Mt Coot-tha and within walking distance to the beautiful botanical gardens. Stuartholme enjoys a unique environment — the site commands spectacular views to the city of Brisbane and beyond to the Moreton Bay Islands. The school buildings, including the magnificent chapel with its stained-glass window, are prominent landmarks visible from many areas around Brisbane. The school grounds cover more than 20 hectares, and include landscaped gardens with summerhouse, quiet courtyards and mature trees, sports oval, nature trails for bushwalking, tennis and netball courts, and swimming pool.
Facilities: Buildings at Stuartholme are a blend of old and new. In recent years the Joigny building typifies this development. This fully air-conditioned facility with panoramic views to Mt Coot-tha includes a multi-functional performance theatre, art and music precincts and a fully electronic and spacious library. These facilities of practice studios, together with computer-based keyboard and recording studio, stage, auditorium and double-sized classrooms enhance the long-held emphasis that Stuartholme places on its music, drama and art curricular and co-curricular programs. The modern library, with its comfortable reading areas, a dedicated audio-visual production area, tutorial rooms and two electronic learning centres, allow the girls to be at the very cutting edge of the learning process. These facilities also serve as a resource centre for boarders during their evening study periods.
Curricular and co-curricular activities: Stuartholme offers a holistic model of education, characterised by a comprehensive curriculum designed to meet the learning needs of a diverse population, leading to career pathways in both academic and vocational fields.
The advanced i-Learn tablet program, introduced into Years 8, 10 and 11 in 2010 is now across all Secondary Years in 2011. Further opportunity for involvement is offered by a rich and vibrant co-curricular program of music, drama, dance, 16 different sports with challenges for zone, state and national representation and a wide variety of clubs and societies. Students at Stuartholme, guided by the five goals of Sacred Heart education, are challenged to be women of faith, integrity, wisdom, spirit, compassion and justice in an environment that nurtures and supports each individual.
Boarding: Boarding at Stuartholme provides a unique experience of residential community living for girls and welcomes families committed to the concept of boarding and who have values congruent with the Sacred Heart philosophy. It is a residential experience based on care and mutual trust and a positive partnership between the student’s family and the school. Stuartholme is committed to maintaining an appropriate balance in the composition of its boarding community. This includes students of rural families, students from isolated locations including expatriate Australians and international and metropolitan students.