As part of the global network of Sacred Heart Schools, Stuartholme offers a truly unique education that blends rich tradition with contemporary innovation to nurture the mind, heart and spirit of every student.
Nestled among the Mount Coot-tha trees lies Stuartholme School, Brisbane’s only Catholic girls’ boarding school for students in Years 5 to 12, with boarding available from Year 7.
In 2025, the school celebrates 105 years of educating and empowering young women to become confident and compassionate leaders. This legacy honours our Foundress, Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, a visionary educator who believed in the transformative power of education for girls. She was a tireless advocate for instilling not only academic excellence, but also faith, a deep sense of community and a commitment to justice.
That spirit continues today. In 2025, our community embraces the Sacred Heart Goal, A Social Awareness That Impels to Action. This call to justice encourages every student to listen deeply, act courageously and uplift others with humility and heart. The student theme for the year, All for Her, calls each girl to live not only for herself, but with and for others. It reflects the enduring values of empathy and conviction that shape the culture of sisterhood at Stuartholme.
Under the leadership of Principal Daniel Crump, the school has embraced a co-agency model that places partnership at the heart of learning. Here, students, educators and families work together to ignite curiosity, inspire purpose and empower every learner to thrive.
Our teachers are recognised nationally for their expertise and innovation. They are passionate about creating dynamic, inquiry-rich experiences that spark deep thinking and foster lifelong learning.
The impact of this approach is reflected in our academic results. In 2024, over 95 per cent of graduates achieved an ATAR of 80 or above. Every student earned their Queensland Certificate of Education, and 72 per cent received an A in one or more subjects. These results reflect the resilience, motivation and self-belief cultivated in every student throughout her time at Stuartholme.
The Boarding House remains at the heart of our school community. Home to more than 140 boarders from across Queensland, regional Australia and overseas, it is a place of warmth, and where friendships flourish. Under the care of Dean of Boarding Jane Morris, the program fosters independence, wellbeing and lifelong friendships. Boarders are fully immersed in school life and supported by staff who understand the unique opportunities and challenges of boarding. For many, it becomes their second family and the foundation for lasting memories and personal growth.
In 2024, Stuartholme was proud to be recognised as a 5-Star Innovative School. This national recognition affirms our leadership in future-focused learning and digital readiness, highlighting our ability to harness emerging technologies in meaningful ways that support student agency, creativity and problem-solving. At Stuartholme, innovation is not about following trends. It is about creating environments and experiences where students are equipped to lead in a rapidly changing world.
Our approach to education extends far beyond the classroom. We understand that learning happens everywhere, in every conversation, rehearsal, competition and quiet moment of reflection. With more than 88 per cent of students participating in co-curricular activities, our girls are encouraged to explore their interests, develop new skills and grow in confidence.
For students seeking additional challenge, our Academic Enrichment Program provides tailored opportunities to extend learning, build advanced capabilities and connect with real-world applications. Designed for gifted and talented students, the program encourages girls to understand and harness their unique intellectual abilities, all within a supportive and flexible framework.
What truly sets Stuartholme apart is the way our students are known, valued and encouraged to grow into their full potential. Leadership is nurtured at every stage, not simply as a title, but as a mindset shaped by responsibility, service and integrity. From early opportunities in Years 5 and 6 through to the senior years, our students are invited to lead in ways that are authentic to them.
This focus on the whole person is central to Sacred Heart education. A Stuartholme student is not only academically prepared. She is spiritually grounded, emotionally aware and deeply committed to making a difference in the world.
As Principal Daniel Crump reflected, “It is both our privilege and our responsibility to ensure that a Sacred Heart education continues to inspire, empower and flourish at Stuartholme for generations to come.”
The Junior School: making It real
In 2025, Stuartholme began a bold and exciting new chapter with the opening of Maison Barat, our purpose-built Junior School precinct for Years 5 and 6. Nestled within the leafy campus and thoughtfully designed to reflect the natural beauty of Mount Coot-tha, this contemporary learning environment, provides a strong foundation for girls beginning their Stuartholme journey.
The Junior School is grounded in the same Sacred Heart philosophy that defines the rest of our school. It honours the individual while cultivating a strong sense of community. At its heart lies a commitment to making learning real, anchored in relevance, driven by curiosity and built to support a confident transition into middle school.
The curriculum is rich and rigorous, with a strong emphasis on real-world learning. Across key learning areas, girls build foundational knowledge while developing the capacity to think critically, creatively and independently. They are not simply taught what to learn, but how to learn. Through guided inquiry, collaborative tasks and regular opportunities to reflect and give feedback, students begin to understand their own learning processes and take ownership of their growth.
Our approach is deeply intentional. It recognises that while many young girls may appear confident and capable, they can often be reluctant to take risks in their learning. The Junior School challenges this gently. By redefining failure as a stepping stone to growth, our students learn to see mistakes not as setbacks but as valuable opportunities to stretch and improve. In doing so, they build the courage, resilience and resourcefulness they will need in their secondary years and beyond.
In addition to core subjects, students engage in Religious Education, Music and Wise Wellness, a program designed to nurture emotional intelligence, ethical thinking and personal wellbeing. These elements enrich the academic experience and reflect our whole-school belief in educating the heart as well as the mind.
In 2024, Stuartholme became the first independent Catholic girls’ school in Australia to introduce a Junior School Learning Environment inspired by international best practice. This initiative, recognised as an Excellence Awardee in the Australian Education Awards, reimagines what a learning space can be. It features flexible classroom layouts, co-teaching models and a strong focus on real-world inquiry. Dedicated time for literacy, numeracy and wellbeing ensures that every student’s foundational skills are prioritised and personalised.
This environment reflects a shift in how we prepare young learners, not just for academic success but for a future that demands adaptability, collaboration and confidence.
Importantly, the Junior School has been designed to ensure a smooth transition into middle school. Students benefit from access to specialist facilities and programs across the broader school, gradually building familiarity with the wider Stuartholme campus and community. Whether working in the science labs, performing in the Theatre, joining co-curricular clubs or simply sharing lunchtime on the Lawn, Junior students begin to see themselves as part of something bigger.
The launch of the Junior School represents a new vision for how girls begin their educational journey. At Stuartholme, we are making it real, giving our youngest students the tools, experiences and mindset to step boldly into their future.
We warmly invite you to experience the difference. Step Up to Stuartholme on Tuesday 12 August and discover a school where every girl is known, supported and inspired to become the very best version of herself.
