ÊÓƵ¶µã

An established reputation of educational excellence and unlimited opportunity, on a modern and spacious campus.

ÊÓƵ¶µã is a modern and ambitious College - built on the foundations of a much older Anglican ÊÓƵ¶µã which was located in Ipswich.

St Paul’s Day ÊÓƵ¶µã was founded shortly after the establishment of St Paul’s Church, Ipswich, in 1855. In the official history of the Church it’s noted that St Paul’s was the first brick building in Brisbane Street, Ipswich, and that the first appointed Master of St Paul’s Day ÊÓƵ¶µã was Mr Alfred Haxeldon.

ÊÓƵ¶µã grew out of the vision of Reverend Canon Gavin Ott and the desire of the parishioners of St Paul’s Church to offer the families of the region a co-educational facility.

The new school was to provide a holistic and integrated philosophy of education based on a Christian way of life and in accordance with the principles and traditions of the Anglican Church of Australia.

The aim of the College, recorded in the first prospectus, was to develop balanced, fully rounded and motivated individuals who can reach their maximum potential intellectually, socially, culturally, physically and emotionally. WestMAC remains true to this aim to the present day.

In the very early planning stages, Father Ott asked Dr Hugh Bartholomeusz – a well-respected specialist in private practice in Ipswich – to become Chairman of the College’s Steering Committee.

Together, Dr Bartholomeusz and the Steering Committee manoeuvred the mountains of regulatory requirements to reach the position of appointing Mr Paul Claridge, formerly of Geelong Grammar ÊÓƵ¶µã (Victoria), as the Foundation Principal in 1993. Mr Ross Switzer was appointed as the College’s second principal in 2007. Mr Switzer had previously served as the Foundation Principal of Georgina Molloy Anglican ÊÓƵ¶µã in Busselton (W.A.). The College Council at ÊÓƵ¶µã has been served by many faithful and capable community volunteers over time. Mr Paul Lostroh (2005 – 2014) and Dr Ian Lupton (2015-2022) served as Chairs of College Council prior to the current Chair, Mr Bruce Sackson, assuming the role in January 2023.

Under the dynamic and inspired leadership of current Principal Mr Geoff McLay, who celebrated his 10th anniversary with the College in September 2020, WestMAC has established itself as a premier educational institution with extensive modern facilities on a leafy campus.

The College delivers a confidence-building and strength-based pedagogical approach, a large range of curriculum offers, a massive sports program including an association with the TAS (The Associated ÊÓƵ¶µãs) and JTAS competitions, an award-winning Creative Arts department fostering 19 musical and dance ensembles and many extra-curricular programs.

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