Principal's Welcome

It is a great pleasure to welcome you to St. Monica’s College website.

St. Monica’s College has been educating students in the heart of Cairns since 1890. As a welcoming, close and inclusive faith community we encourage all to reflect on gospel values in their daily lives. The images on this website capture only some of the dynamic, exciting and life-giving opportunities we offer in our caring college environment which allows our students to develop, grow and emerge as confident, caring and successful young women.

We challenge each student to Walk in the Path of Justice as St. Monica’s College follows the Mercy charism which stresses the importance of shared ministry, concern for the marginalised, support for the disadvantaged and a commitment to justice in all that we do. Our core values of faith, community, courage, integrity, self-belief and, of course, mercy underpin all that we endeavour to achieve.

Our academic programs offer an impressive range of subjects to allow all students to achieve their goals. While we are enormously proud of our academic success, National Awards and university entrance rates, we are also achieving excellence in skill-based occupations. All of these are supported by an inspiring group of past student mentors, particularly, our dedicated staff who continue to inspire our students by their commitment to women’s education.

Our co-curricular opportunities in the Arts, Sport and Social Justice are both exceptional and extensive. These allow the students to be extended in their sport and cultural pursuits as well as explore new areas for personal development. We also offer study trips within Australia and overseas to enhance our academic and co-curricular programs.

In the spirit of Catherine McAuley’s hospitality, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, we invite you to contact us at any time, book a tour or attend our Open Day to experience for yourself the spirit and tradition of St Monica’s College – a school of the future with a rich past history.

“Be ever ready to praise, to encourage, to stimulate, but slow to censure and even more slow to condemn.”  Catherine McAuley

Edna Galvin