School History

1936

St John Bosco School is proud of its heritage as part of the Catholic School system of the Townsville Diocese. The school, staffed by the Sisters of Mercy, opened in 1936.

On 19 August, a contingent of Sisters of Mercy, led by Mother M. Benedicta, arrive at the Collinsville station late in the evening to be met by Father Hegarty and Father O’Regan. They take up residence in a new but unfinished convent and commence teaching at St John Bosco School with no roof or furniture on 22 August. which is designed by prominent north Queensland architect, C. D. Lynch, and built by J. C. Lowcock. 

On the 22nd of August, the school opened its doors for the first day of school with an enrolment of 75 pupils. The school building was roofless and without desks or blackboards. Mother Benedicta and Sister M. Attracta taught the upper grades, while the younger grades took their lessons with Sister M. Scholastica on the verandah of the convent.

On 6 September, St John Bosco Convent School in Collinsville is officially blessed and opened by Bishop Terrence McGuire. The school takes its name from the nineteenth-century Italian priest and educator, St John Bosco, who promoted teaching methods focussed on compassion rather than discipline.

1942

Air raid shelters were dug at St John Bosco Convent School to prepare for the possibility that Queensland is bombed during the Second World War.

1943

On 15 November, St John Bosco Convent School at Collinsville is visited by the Premier of Queensland, Frank Cooper.

1965

St John Bosco Catholic School is given a fresh coat of paint.

1966

Following the painting of the school building in 1965, the convent at St John Bosco Catholic School is also painted.

1973

As part of ongoing renovations, carpet is laid throughout St John Bosco Catholic School in Collinsville and new tables and chairs are purchased to replace the old desks.

1976

Father John Robinson enlists the aid of men from the Collinsville Parish to construct a basketball court and cricket pitch for St John Bosco Catholic School. The team of volunteers also work to improve the school grounds.

1978

Extensions are added to St John Bosco Catholic School.

1980

Work begins on the construction of a new classroom block for Years 1 and 2. It is planned to be ready in time for Term 1 1981

1984

On 4 March, two newly completed classrooms and an all-purpose room are blessed and opened at St John Bosco Catholic School.

1985

The Collinsville community receives a severe blow when it is announced that there will be a partial closure of the Collinsville Power Station.

1986

Martin Powley is welcomed as the first lay principal of St John Bosco Catholic School.

1988

The Collinsville Power Station closes.

1991

Gus Lindsay is welcomed as principal of St John Bosco Catholic School. 

1992

Big changes are happening at St John Bosco Catholic School this year. The school adopts a new uniform, and in February, a new preschool is also opened. In March, a new series of renovations and improvements to St John Bosco School are finished. The teachers have a new staff room, the school secretary and the principal now have their own offices, and there is a brand new toilet block at the school.

1993

The teaching staff at St John Bosco Catholic School in Collinsville is increased from four to five full time teachers. 

1993

The teaching staff at St John Bosco Catholic School in Collinsville is increased from four to five full time teachers. 

1999

Eileen Luthi is welcomed as principal of St John Bosco Catholic School. 

2001

Judy Hawkins takes up the role of acting principal at St John Bosco Catholic School.

2002(-2005)

Sean White is welcomed as principal of St John Bosco Catholic School.

Demountable classroom building refurbished; Offices and Staff room constructed under library; Computer lab set up beside library.  Grounds refurbished and beautified.  Sisters of Mercy officially leave 2005 school and parish, after a blessing liturgy.  Gully across the road filled in to create a carpark.

2006

David Koina is welcomed as principal of St John Bosco Catholic School.

2007

Students at St John Bosco Catholic School participate in the “Get Active in Queensland Schools Program.” The school wins the average and aggregate trophies at the inter-school sports carnival, and a team is selected to attend the Whitsunday trials in Bowen. At this event, a student from the school is also selected to compete in the North Queensland trials.

2008

The old Sisters of Mercy convent is removed from the grounds of St John Bosco Catholic School.

2013

The Collinsville community faces a new challenge when the Glencore Coal mine closes. Students from St John Bosco Catholic School gathered food and toys for the St Vincent de Paul Society to help residents through the festive season.

2015

Bill Goodwin is welcomed as principal of St John Bosco Catholic School.

2017

On 28 March Cyclone Debbie struck the region, damaging St John Bosco Catholic School.

In Term 3, Year 6 students at St John Bosco Catholic School gain experience with the SCRATCH Coding Program funded by the QCoal Foundation. A STEM Club is also formed, with students learning about robotics during their lunch breaks.

2018

Mark Holmes is welcomed as principal of St John Bosco Catholic School.

2019

Eleanor Niland is welcomed as principal of St John Bosco Catholic School.

2020 

Nicole Preitz is welcomed as principal of St John Bosco Catholic School