As a multinational campus, we welcome families from many faith traditions and encourage strong ecumenical and interfaith understanding. With many international families enrolling at the college, our cohort represents all corners of the globe, allowing students the opportunity to form worldwide friendships. 

At the forefront of contemporary education, St James College blends extensive offerings in academic and vocational subjects with rich and innovative curriculum support programs tailored to meet the needs of every student. 

St James is exemplary in the continued success in delivering a hybrid educational model that considers the skills necessary for workplaces for the future. A mix of both hard skills, those related to technical knowledge and training, and soft skills, those related to leadership, communication, and time management, will be imperative. 

Students choose from flexible curriculum pathways that lead to tertiary study, further training, or employment. The college has strong industry links in growth employment industries and relationships with local and international educational institutions and universities supporting post-school pathways. 

The range of academic subjects is enhanced by vocational and co-curricular programs including sport, debating, cultural, and advocacy activities that equip students with the skills necessary to succeed in workplaces of the future.

Through expert teaching and learning, classroom interactions, and co-curricular offerings in creativity, problem solving, critical thinking, and communication, St James students are well equipped to become future global citizens. 

The college has been recognised for its excellence in vocational education, and for its delivery of cultural and sporting programs.

Pirlirrpa Alternative Education Framework

The Pirlirrpa Alternative Education Framework is a relational, strengths-based and culturally responsive program designed for young people who require a more flexible, supportive and individualised approach to learning. The word Pirlirrpa comes from the Warlpiri Aboriginal language of the Tanami Desert in the Northern Territory, meaning the essence of one's spirit.

Positioned within St James College, Pirlirrpa provides an alternative school setting whilst still delivering the Queensland Certificate of Education. The program prioritises wellbeing, connection, identity and purpose, while supporting students to work towards employment, traineeships, Vocational Education Certificates and university pathways with meaningful future outcomes.

Students engage in core subjects within a calm, dedicated, low student-to-staff ratio learning environment that emphasises trust, routine, safety, and consistency. This is complemented by access to broader academic, vocational and experiential learning opportunities across the College campus and through partnerships with community organisations, training providers and industry.

The Pirlirrpa Alternative Education Framework recognises that many students bring complex lived experiences into the classroom. For this reason, the program is underpinned by trauma-informed practices, Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) principles, cultural grounding, mentoring, and practical life-skill development. Strong relationships with families, carers and community partners are central to each young person’s journey.

At its core, Pirlirrpa exists to ensure every student feels seen, valued and hopeful. Through personalised learning, consistent support and celebration of culture and identity, students are empowered to rebuild confidence, reconnect with learning, and rise into sustainable pathways in education, training or employment.

Contact

To learn more about the Pirlirrpa Alternative Education Framework or to enquire about referrals, partnerships or enrolment pathways, please contact the college, email school@stjamescollege.qld.edu.au or call +61 7 3230 8600.