Excitement in Aura as Notre Dame College welcomes its first Preps
A buzz filled the air at Aura’s newest educational landmark, Notre Dame College, as 52 bright-eyed Prep students stepped into their classrooms for the very first time. As the foundation students of the Prep to Year 12 Catholic college, these eager little learners are making history while setting the stage for what promises to be a vibrant addition to the Aura community.
Their educational journey began with a special ‘Prep-paration’ event, where families watched their little ones in crisp new uniforms take their first steps into the school, meet their teachers, and explore the modern play spaces.
Foundation Principal Dan McShea warmly welcomed students and their families ahead of the official start of the school year, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in education on the Sunshine Coast.
"We wish all our students a wonderful first day filled with discovery, growth, and a love of learning,” Dan said. “May they embrace every opportunity that comes their way and contribute to a vibrant school community, shaping not only their futures but also the future of Notre Dame.”
Located on Aura Boulevard in Bells Creek, Notre Dame College is designed to meet the needs of Aura’s rapidly growing population. The state-of-the-art, co-educational school sits on a 7.9-hectare campus, masterplanned to eventually cater to more than 1,800 students.
The school’s opening marks a major milestone for the Aura community. Genaea Keith, Senior Development Manager at Stockland Aura, highlighted the importance of Notre Dame College in fulfilling Stockland’s vision of a connected, family-focused community.
“We are delighted to welcome Notre Dame College to the Aura community,” Genaea said. “This new school will help to meet the growing educational needs of local families and the wider community, offering a high-quality learning environment close to home.”
Genaea Keith from Stockland Aura and Foundation Principal Dan McShea celebrate the exciting opening of Notre Dame College, a vibrant new addition to Aura’s growing community!
“Liveability is at the heart of our vision for Stockland Aura – we want to create a well-connected community where essential amenities, including education facilities like this, are within easy reach for our residents,” she added.
In its inaugural year, Notre Dame College is welcoming just over 200 students across Prep to Year 3 and Year 7, with plans to expand as the community grows. When complete, Aura will feature up to 20 education and learning centres within a 20 kilometre radius, building on its reputation as a hub for high-quality education on the Sunshine Coast.
As these first Preppies settle into their new routines, they’re not only embarking on their own educational journeys but also helping to shape the legacy of a school that will serve the Aura community for generations to come.