Community & Business
12 November, 2026
College milestone celebration
A CELEBRATION of Catholic education in Mareeba will be held later this month when St Stephen’s marks its 20th anniversary.
This year marks a significant milestone for the College as it celebrates two decades of providing Catholic secondary education to students across Mareeba and the surrounding areas.
“As we celebrate 20 years of St Stephen’s Catholic College, we give thanks to those who laid the foundations of our College community,” principal Gary Conwell said.
“Over the past two decades, generations of young people have discovered their strengths, pursued their aspirations and graduated ready to make a positive contribution to society.
“As we look to the next 20 years, our commitment remains unchanged – to provide an exceptional Catholic education that develops the whole person, creates opportunity, and inspires every student to see beyond their current horizon. We are excited for the journey ahead.”
To mark the occasion, the school is inviting the community to join in on a night of drinks and dancing at a commemorative event on Saturday 21 November.
The event is open to those 18 years of age or older and will feature live music, food and a cash bar, with attendees asked to “dress to impress” in cocktail attire. To purchase a ticket ($50), visit https://www.trybooking.com/au/event/1519056
COLLEGE HISTORY:
THE College was established to meet the needs of local families seeking a Catholic education for their children.
The history of the College dates to 1991 when the land on McIver Road was purchased. By 1998, Parish Priest of Mareeba Father Robert Greenup wrote to Bishop James Foley in strong support of opening a Catholic secondary school in Mareeba.
This was further reinforced by a Herron Todd White report, which acknowledged the need and recommended opening by 2001. After several years of planning, consultation and responding to objections, the College officially opened in January 2006 with foundation principal Gerry Simon and its first cohort of 40 students.
By 2010, the College had a full complement of students from Years 8 to 12, totalling 233.
Along with the growing numbers, the College facilities continued to expand, with an outdoor undercover area added in 2008, a science block in 2010, a drama room and stage area in 2012, the Trade Training Centre in 2012, Library in 2013, Chapel in 2015 (relocated from Tolga), music block in 2017, Holy Spirit Centre in 2019, and Innovation Centre in 2026.
Looking ahead, the College is now focused on commencing work on the Wellness Centre, which will provide spaces to support the needs of students with complex learning profiles. The Centre will include counselling rooms, an open learning space, office spaces and outdoor transition spaces and courtyards.
MAJOR MILESTONES
2005 – Mr Gerrard (Gerry) Simon appointed foundation principal, tasked with establishing the new secondary college. His tenure (2005-2012) shaped the early culture of the College.
2006 – First College captains named, beginning the tradition of student leadership at St Stephen’s.
2010 – The College now has a full complement of students from Years 8 to 12.
2013 – Mrs Ida Pinese is appointed principal.
2013-2014 – Co-curricular offerings expand – sport, chess, music and cultural events become regular features of college life.
2015 – Queensland moves Year 7 into secondary schooling, and St Stephen’s shifts its intake from Year 8 to Year 7, reshaping the junior school structure. In this year, 109 Year 7 students started at St Stephen’s, with a total of 529 students across the year levels.
2020 – Ms Kerry Manders is appointed principal, fostering student wellbeing, voice and leadership, and continued academic achievement.
2020 – Like all Queensland schools, St Stephen’s responds to the Covid19 pandemic with periods of remote learning and adjusted wellbeing support structures.
2023 – Mr Gary Conwell is appointed principal with a focus on strategic growth, strong learning culture, and commitment to the College’s Catholic mission.
2026 – The St Stephen’s community continues to expand with 659 students and 104 staff.
TRADITIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
2007-2010 – The annual St Stephen’s Day developed as a key tradition. Early celebrations included a trip to Lake Tinaroo, barbecues, swimming, and a cake. The Koala Cup emerged as an annual competition between staff and students, which continues to this day. Other more recent St Stephen’s Day traditions include a fete, talent show, and tug of war competition.
2010 – The St Stephen’s Superstars become the first team from the College to compete in The Great Wheelbarrow Race.
2013 – St Stephen’s wins its first Tablelands Secondary Schools District Athletics competition, a title it held for the next six years, and again in 2022, 2025 and 2026.
2016 – College celebrates outstanding OP results: three students achieve OP 1, three achieve OP 2, with 61% of OP-eligible students between OP 1–10 and 93% between OP 1–15.
2017 – ‘Trust in the Lord’ is used as the College song for the first time.
2021 – The Year 9/10 Readers Cup team from St Stephen’s wins the State Final.
2021 – NAIDOC celebrations included a flag raising ceremony which saw the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags flown alongside the Australian and Queensland flags for the first time.
2022 – St Stephen’s places first in Queensland and 13th nationally in the Sustainable Oceans Student Competition.
2022 – Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Balvo visits the College.
2024 – The Year 9/10 Readers Cup team from St Stephen’s wins the State Final for the second time in College history.
2025 – The College’s first ever musical, ‘Matilda Jr’, is staged in the Holy Spirit Centre.
2025 – The St Stephen’s Saints senior team take out the Great Wheelbarrow Race overall with a time of 7 hours, 3 minutes, 46 seconds.
2025 – Year 11 team wins the Australian Open Schools Block Buster Tennis Challenge by redesigning the Australian Open precinct on Minecraft.
2025 – Students in Year 11 and 12 embody the mission of service by volunteering with the local Rosies Friends on the Street branch on a Friday evening.
2025 – St Stephen’s takes out the Cairns Catholic Schools Senior Debating Cup.
