Holy Spirit College Fitzgibbon is bridging the gap between primary and secondary education with a cutting-edge STEAM program designed to prepare Year 6 students for the challenges of high school, including students from St Dympna’s Parish School in Aspley.
Read: Holy Spirit College Fitzgibbon, New Secondary Catholic School in 56 Years, Officially Opens
The Primary School Transition Program focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM), giving students hands-on experience with secondary school learning before they officially begin Year 7.
“It’s a launchpad to success in secondary school,” said Holy Spirit College Acting Principal Andrew McEwan.
The initiative comes as the college seeks to create meaningful connections with surrounding primary schools while supporting Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) students through what can be an intimidating transition period.
Future-Focused Education
Mr McEwan said the program was developed with future graduates in mind.
“When developing our College’s Primary School Transition Program for Year 6 students we had to consider, ‘what does a graduate of 2027 and beyond look like, what future skills will they need?’,” he said.
“For us, it was a no-brainer to develop a STEAM transition program. Not only will students need STEAM knowledge and skills for their futures, but it’s also the foundation for many secondary subjects as students, especially as students near Year 11 and 12.”
The program offers multiple benefits beyond subject knowledge. Students build connections and familiarity with the college environment, develop their identity within the school community, and gain context for what lies ahead in secondary education.
“The program also allows our educators to see what knowledge students already have in STEAM, so when their first day of secondary school comes around both staff and students feel prepared,” Mr McEwan said.
The Primary School Transition Program
Five BCE primary schools are currently participating in the Primary School Transition Program:
- St Flannan’s School, Zillmere
- St Kevin’s School, Geebung
- St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Bracken Ridge
- St Dympna’s Parish School, Aspley
- Sacred Heart Primary School, Sandgate
The program operates as a reciprocal partnership between schools, with benefits extending to primary school educators as well as students.
“The program is also an opportunity for BCE’s primary educators to shadow our educators, see our teaching practices in person, and pick up techniques that can build independence in Year 6 learners as they prepare them for secondary school,” Mr McEwan said.
“Primary educators can then take these practices in their own Year 6 classrooms helping learners build critical thinking, skills they will need in secondary school.”
Student-Led Learning Initiatives
A highlight of the program has been the involvement of Holy Spirit College students selected for the University of Queensland Science Ambassador program, who mentor primary students in STEAM subjects.
“The Science Exchange with St Dympna’s Primary School allowed our students to lead and engage Year 6 students as a part of this Transition Program,” Mr McEwan said.
Other collaborative projects have seen Year 8 and 9 students work with Sacred Heart Primary School Year 2 students to create a mural focusing on environmental sustainability and Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ encyclical promoting care for our common home.
Senior phase students also supported St Kevin’s Primary School ‘Spotlight on STEM’ event, highlighting knowledge and skills learned from the college’s innovative curriculum while developing a passion for STEM in primary school students.
Beyond Year 6
Mr McEwan emphasised that the college’s transition support extends well beyond the traditional Year 6 to Year 7 pathway.
“We engage with our parent community from Year 3 onwards, touching base with families throughout the year and engaging students in a variety of activities that get them interested in secondary education,” he said.
The college also supports students who commence in later years, recognising that every transition is unique.
Read: Speed Awareness Monitors Installed At St Dympna’s Primary School
“Every transition is unique and our College will continue to work with families to ensure the transition to our College is as seamless as possible for our students,” Mr McEwan said.
Holy Spirit College will continue to expand its transition programs in 2026.
Published 13-February-2026
