Enrolments
Can I bring my child/children for a tour of the College?
Yes, we invite you tobook an individual,personalised tour of the College.
We can also coordinate a visit to theFlinders Early Learning Centre for families with young children. The College also holds Discovery Tours and Discovery Evenings during the year. Please check our College website for dates or contact admissions@mfac.edu.aufor further information. When booking your tour, we will ask you questions about your child/children so we can tailor the tour to suit your family’s needs and interests. We look forward to welcoming your family to Matthew Flinders Anglican College.
What is the main catchment area for Flinders students?
Students attend Matthew Flinders Anglican College at Buderim from all areas of the Sunshine Coast (from Caloundra in the South, Maleny in the West, to Noosa in the North). School bus companies offer services to the College from most parts of the Sunshine Coast. For details of bus travel services, please see the Bus Information below.
How will Matthew Flinders Anglican College help my child settle into school?
Flinders is a connected and caring community of families who share a belief in the importance of a quality education and the values of compassion, integrity, respect and courage. All new Flinders students have a buddy and are invited to our orientation days to allow them to become familiar with their new school surroundings, and to meet their teachers and fellow classmates. New students commencing at the start of a new school year also attend an orientation session the day before school starts in January. Parents are encouraged to connect with our educators and staff, who are available to support our new families to enjoy a positive and warm welcome to Flinders.
What is the process for enrolling my child at the College, and does the College have waiting pools?
Please visit the Admissions section of our College website for information about our enrolment process. Several factors are considered prior to offers being made, including school reports (attitude and behaviour comments), interview outcome, date of registration, and sibling connection. For major intake years, parents will be invited to attend an information session to commence the process. The College has waiting pools and parents are advised to register early for places. Please don’t hesitate to contact the Admissions office on (07) 5477 3260 to discuss your child’s preferred entry date.
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What are the intake years at Matthew Flinders Anglican College?
Current entry points into the Primary School are in the Preparatory Year, Year 3, and Years 4 and 5. Year 7 is the major intake year for the start of Middle School, with entry into Years 10 and 11 for Senior School. Students are admitted into other year levels in the Primary and Secondary Schools as places become available.
What can Matthew Flinders Anglican College offer my child?
Matthew Flinders Anglican College offers an all-round education to its students with wonderful opportunities in academic fields, sport and the arts. Our College is proud of its strong academic record, including consistentlyoutstanding academic results.Flinders creates an environment that promotes academic excellence, inspires intellectual curiosity, expects personal accountability and forever instils a genuine passion for learning. The Flinders community is a wonderfully supportive community. Whether striving for academic achievement, raising funds for local or global concerns, pursuing a chosen sport, performing on stage, delving into the fine arts, or taking up the challenge of the many other co-curricular activities on offer, Flinders students encourage and support one another and celebrate each other’s efforts and successes.
What items are included in a Flinders uniform?
A full new Flinders school uniform includes the formal uniform, sports uniform, schoolbag, hats, along with other items and accessories. The cost will depend on how many of each item is purchased. A range of second-hand uniform items may be available. Specific queries may be directed to the Flinders Shop on (07) 5477 2969.
1:1 Technology
How will the College deal with the issues and dangers of inappropriate use of the internet?
While appropriate internet filtering programs are in place at Flinders, our College believes that students must be educated about appropriate use of the internet. Cyber safety education is embedded throughout the curriculum and students must adhere to the Appropriate Use of Technology Policy.
Will my child’s eyes and posture be affected by using the laptops in class?
Students will not be using laptops/iPads all day at school. In the classroom, the laptop isused inspecific activities for a limited amount of time and at the teacher’s discretion. In some lessons, it is notrequired at all. Moving between lessons and the normal lunchtime activities will ensure that students will not be in front of a computer for the entire timethat they are at school.
What happens if a laptop/iPad breaks down, damaged, lost or stolen?
The College has entered into an agreement with an Apple-approved supplier to provide the necessary maintenance and insurance to laptops when necessary. Students will be provided with “hot swap” devices for use while their laptop/iPad is being repaired.
What if my child already has a laptop/iPad at home?
Unfortunately, they won’t be able to use it at school as software licensing restrictions prevent us from installing the required software onto computers that are not owned by the College.
Will the files on my child’s laptop/iPad be backed up?
Yes. However, the student will be responsible for this. The College utilises a ‘cloud-based service’ for laptop back-ups. Students will be supported to learn the appropriate protocols for backing up their work.
What happens if the device’s battery runs out during class?
It is expected that students bring their device to school each day fully charged. Battery life should be more than enough for a normal school day’s use. All device chargers must be left at home and not brought to school. However, if charging is necessary, a charger is to be borrowed from the library and classroom power points can be used.
What happens if my son/daughter forgets to bring his/her personal device to school?
Forgetting to bring a laptop/iPad will be viewed in the same way as forgetting to bring any other required materials to school, in accordance with the College’s Behaviour Management Policy.
What is the Flinders approach to technology use in the Primary School and beyond?
There is overwhelming evidence, supported by research and experience, that well integrated technology and 1:1 access to computers increases student engagement in their learning and as a result of this, increases student outcomes.
Technology plays an important role in teaching and learning at Flinders. It provides opportunities for rich and varied learning experiences while also developing essential digital literacy skills. We want to help our students to become masterful users of technology, with the ability to leverage their skills to support learning and life. In our increasingly digital society, we are mindful that our students need to be equipped with a deep understanding of the role of technology in our world and a strong sense of digital citizenship. At Flinders, we provide opportunities for our students to collaborate in safe online spaces with staff and peers to learn these skills.
Based on our experience and that of other schools, students in the Primary Campus benefit from a 1:1 device allocation, working across a carefully curated collection of age-appropriate educational platforms and software applications. Flinders students in Years 3 to 6 have a personal iPad to support their learning. There are also class iPads for all students from Prep to Year 2.
Specialist staff work with classroom teachers to integrate technology into the classroom in impactful ways that engage, inspire and support achievement across subjects. The recent introduction of Apple Pencils across several year levels is also allowing students new ways to learn and create in the classroom.
Meanwhile, Secondary School students are provided with a 13-inch MacBook Air, along with the following accessories and programs, from Year 7:
- access to back-up facilities
- a hard-shell protective cover for transporting between home and school
- a carry case
- insurance against theft and accidental damage
- extended warranty
- all required
International students
Does Flinders have boarding facilities?
No. However, ourInternationalCo-ordinator has a list of suitable homestay families for international students wishing to study at the College.
Can I have extra English tuition?
ESL tuition can be arranged by the College at an additional cost. Flinders has no separate English Language College. All overseas students join in our mainstream classes. Enquiries may be directed tointernational@mfac.edu.aufor information.
Do senior students have to wear school uniform?
Yes, all students at Matthew Flinders Anglican College wear school uniform. A Uniform Code is included in the prospectus. All uniform items (except shoes) are purchased from theFlindersShop on campus.
How can I arrange my student visa?
Contact your nearest Australian consulate or embassy. Student visa information is also available on thewebsite.
How long should an overseas student spend at Flinders?
We recommend at least one year, but if preparing for University then at least two years. Because our classes are conducted in English, longer immersion in the language is recommended. Some of our overseas students join us at Year 10. Shorter stays (one semester) may be arranged depending upon space available.
How far is Matthew Flinders Anglican College from Brisbane?
Bus Information
Bus Fare Financial Assistance
The Non-State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme (NSSTAS), funded by the Queensland State Government, is administered by Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) on behalf of all non-state schools.
Under the scheme there are two programs:
Bus Fare Assistance Program (BFAP)
Students with Disabilities Program (SWD)
To see if you may be eligible for financial assistance for bus fare expenses, and to make an application, please visit the following website:
Bus Services
All of the areas from which our enrolments are drawn are serviced by buses. Parents should contact their local bus company for specific route information as well as departure and return times.