The huge advantage of boarding school has been that students are thrown into a strong social situation and St Monica's Boarders quickly develop excellent skills at social interaction.

The Boarding House for St Monica’s students is situated at St Augustine’s College – this is another reason the two colleges work so closely together. The St Monica’s College students live in Chavoin Residence. While this Residence cannot replicate home, all the boarding residences do reflect a strong sense of family and a sense of both fun and purpose. All staff work hard to provide a high quality of support, supervision plus educational and spiritual guidance for the young women in their care. The students build strong friendships in the boarding community and when they leave, the resilience and independence they have developed, give them the ability to make a significance different to the communities they come from as well as their future careers.

This arrangement also offers the convenience of having daughters and sons in the same Boarding House. They can both attend a vibrant, well-established, inner-city college with excellent curriculum and cocurricular offerings allowing students to pursuit a range of wonderful opportunities and activities not available in smaller centres.

It offers the students the best of both worlds – single-sex schooling and co-educational boarding. The students are together for meals, organised recreation, sporting, cultural and religious activities. Chavoin Residence is one of five student residences on the campus – it is air-conditioned with bright spaces providing a private area for each student. They are encouraged to decorate their spaces with items from home and set up their study area. The students have access to the library, swimming pool, music centre, IT facilities and other amenities.

Students must be accepted by BOTH colleges to be a boarder. For enrolment enquiries contact the Enrolment Officer at enrolments@stmonicas.qld.edu.au, St Monica’s College.

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

Welcome to St Monica’s College, fondly referred to as “Monnies” by our community. Established in 1890, we proudly hold the title of the oldest school in the Cairns region. Our rich traditions trace back to the dedicated Sisters of Mercy, who took over the running of the school in 1892 and have remained an integral part of our community ever since. Our college charism is inspired by the legacy of Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy. In the Mercy tradition, we strive to provide an educational environment that empowers and inspires young women to reach their full potential.

Our college recognises that every student is an individual with their own strengths and talents. By providing an all-girls environment, we aim to create a space where young women can thrive, free from gender-based stereotypes, and develop the self-confidence needed to succeed in any field they choose.

At St Monica’s, we foster a culture of self-belief and courage, empowering our students to strive for excellence in all endeavours. Supported by our dedicated staff who champion women’s education, our students excel academically, earning national awards and achieving high rates of university entrance. Emphasising a holistic approach to education, we offer a diverse range of subjects and co-curricular activities, catering to the varied interests and talents of our students. From music ensembles to sports teams, our students thrive in an environment that encourages exploration, creativity, and personal growth.

Our faith is at the heart of all that we do. Nestled beside St Monica’s Cathedral we embrace our catholic identity through regular Mass and liturgical celebrations, fostering a deep connection to the teachings of Jesus Christ. As a Mercy school we are called to embody compassion and forgiveness, instilling in our students a commitment to social justice and service. We nurture this through our senior service-learning program and charitable fundraisers; empowering our students to make meaningful contributions to our community.

At the core of our mission lies the fostering of a nurturing and inclusive community characterised by integrity and respect. Our diverse student body includes First Nations students and boarders from remote regions and reflects the vibrancy of our college. Students board at St Augustine’s College, which offers a co-curricular full-time and weekly boarding program for our students in Years 7 to 12. The boarding program, overseen by caring and dedicated staff, features modern accommodation, weeknight study with tutors, weekend outings and organised recreation.

As Principal, I am immensely proud of our students’ achievements and the supportive community that surrounds them. Together, we are committed to nurturing compassionate, confident, and socially conscious young women who “walk in the path of justice”. I invite you to explore all that St Monica’s College has to offer and experience firsthand the warmth and vibrancy of our school community.

Mrs Leanne Webster

College Principal