St Andrews Lutheran College

History

Following the success of Trinity Lutheran College at Ashmore, Queensland, the Lutheran Church of Australia started to plan the establishment of a Lutheran school to service the southern end of the Gold Coast, Australia in the late 1980s.

The school is located in Tallebudgera, Queensland and currently has over 1300 students.

The school opened for teaching in February 1993.

Since opening, the school has expanded from one set of demountable classrooms, to ten extensive learning blocks. It facilitates three sporting ovals (as well as an indoor multi-purpose centre) and a basketball court. It has a theatre to support the performing arts, a covered outdoor learning area (COLA) and in 2022 the Centre for Creative Industries was opened. In 2023, the school celebrated its 30th anniversary with numerous activities throughout the year.

In 2021, the school was subject to an investigation due to fears of a cancer cluster. No evidence of a cancer cluster was found, however a number of parents called for further investigation, and pulled their students from the college. In 2023, school principal David Bliss was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and retired in June 2024.

The school serves pre-school to 12th grade classes. It has sister school relationships with Osaka Business Frontier Senior High School, in Osaka, Japan, and with Gymnasium Nord, in Frankfurt, Germany.

Extracurricular activities

In academic, sports, and the performing arts (PA), leadership positions include Leo (Lions Youth), Community Service Captains, House Captains, Student Council and College/Vice Captains.

The school encourages students to become active by holding three sporting carnivals, annually, for swimming, athletics and cross-country. The four school houses, Gowandi (green), Jubi (red), Binging (yellow) and Wardjam (blue) compete for house points to win the House Cup at the end of the year.

When the students reach their senior year, they become included in graduating traditions created by the students. These include the school formal (which is directed by a student-based formal committee), the Valedictory Dinner for students, parents and teachers, Presentation Night for awards, recognition and Performing Arts entertainment, and the Final Chapel which is led by the year twelve students with a Christian theme.

Principals

• Wolf Stuetzel, 1993–1999
• Ruth Butler, 2000–2009
• Timothy Kotzur, 2010–2016
• David Bliss, 2017–2024
• Luke Schoff, 2024–present

Notable alumni

References

References

1. [http://www.salc.qld.edu.au/Our_school/index.htm Lutheran Education - Future]
2. (2021-01-07). "'Cancer cluster' fears at Queensland school after multiple cases".
3. "Facebook".
4. "Facebook".
5. "Principal's Welcome". St Andrew's Lutheran College.
6. "Luke Schoff announced as new principal for St Andrews Lutheran College".
7. (2023-04-03). "Ethan Read, Class of 2023, will make his debut for the Gold Coast Suns against GWS Giants this Sunday!".
8. (13 October 2017). "St Andrews Lutheran College - Middle/Senior School Bulletin (Issue 13 / 13 October 2017)". Issuu.
9. (9 November 2013). "Lindsay Wilson College Blue Raiders - Jamie Stanton Profile". Lindsay Wilson College.
10. (18 August 2018). "Chelsea Hackett Muay Thai: fighter eyes UFC move ahead of Muay Thai title bout with Emily Wahby". Gold Coast Bulletin.