Guardian Angels Primary School
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
School History
1898 saw the Sisters of Mercy commence teaching in Southport. Many years of hard work from dedicated people saw the emergence of Star of the Sea Convent, Guardian Angels Church and Guardian Angels Parish Primary School. The traditions that have made Guardian Angels Parish Primary School what it is today stem from the dedication and love of the Sisters of Mercy.
Guardian Angels Parish Primary School was originally incorporated into Star of the Sea. By 1958 Guardian Angels had gained its own identity. The appointment of lay teachers in 1977 saw the Sisters of Mercy fulfilling other pastoral roles within the church, and handing over the spiritual and academic life of the school to the lay ministers.
The locale at Scarborough Street, Southport grew too small. With the foresight of the Vincentian priests, principal, teachers and parents, the school was relocated to Edmund Rice Drive, Ashmore. This proved beneficial as the parish intended to move the centre of its activities to Ashmore. Now included in this campus is Mary Immaculate Church, De Paul Villa Aged Care Facility, Aquinas College, Parish Office and the Presbytery.
Guardian Angels moved to its new site in 1986. This started a new phase in the school's history with the school becoming co-educational from Years One to Seven. It joined the Aquinas College campus which now caters for Years Eight to Twelve.
Some important dates and history
School Principals
It is an interesting fact that this school, the first Catholic Primary School to be established on the Gold Coast, has had only four Principals.
Sister Mary Inez - Foundation Principal - 1986
Mr John Maksimus - 1977 - 1993
Mr Peter Anderson - 1994 - 2004