Property, profits & how much they’re getting from your pocket
The annual fees are out of reach for many families, but do the educational and other benefits to children attending the Gold Coast’s private schools match the outlay? Kathleen Skene reports
THEY are Gold Coast schools where the city’s CEOs, politicians, developers and elite athletes send their children. Between them, these 12 schools hold property and other assets worth more than $720 million, make revenue close to $350 million and profits upwards of $36 million – although some are more open to sharing that information than others.
Averaged across their Prep-to-Year 12 student populations, the schools charge fees between $3758 and $17,642 per year and receive state and federal funding per student between $8145 and $10,865. As registered charities, none pay tax on their income.
Teachers and principals who meet with parents to tackle playground tussles or lacklustre student results can find themselves across the desk from the state’s sharpest litigators, top-ranking police, big business and development heavyweights or the school’s largest benefactors.
The pressure-cooker situations at some schools have exploded in recent weeks with well-publicised scandals and high-profile stoushes at
two exclusive schools.
While the three “r’s” of traditional education can be a drawcard for the often wellheeled clientele, it is the three “p’s” which can wield citywide impact – power, profit and politics.
It is not just wealthy Gold Coasters paying top dollar for a private education – plenty of lower income families are saving and sacrificing to secure the promise of a better future for their offspring.
When compared with all Australian schools, all of the schools perform at, above or substantially above average in NAPLAN tests. However, de- spite the revenue and reputa- tions, just three completely avoid below average scores when compared to schools with similar students.
So are students at these Prep-to-Year 12 schools getting value for their parents’ money?
And when schools receive that money, how well is it being managed?
We’ve gathered the numbers so you can decide.
Schools appear in order of annual revenue according to their latest report to the Australia Charities and Not-forprofits Commission (ACNC).
KING’S CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
Operated by: Kings Christian Education Ltd.
Description: Co-educational day school with campuses in Reedy Creek and Pimpama and a third to open in Logan next year. The school had 2472 students enrolled in 2018.
The ACNC is yet to receive the college’s financial report from 2018, so financial figures below are from the last submitted report, its 2017 financials lodged in June last year.
TOTAL ASSETS: $63.49 million REVENUE: $40.6 million, up from $34.79 million in 2016. SURPLUS: $5.52 million, up from $4.82 million in 2016.
TAX: As a registered charity, the school paid no tax on its income. STAFF BENEFITS: $24.77 million, up from $20.63 million. FEES/OTHER PARENT CONTRIBUTIONS (2018 average
per student): $5612. GOVERNMENT FUNDING (2018
average per student): $9655. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (three
years to 2018): $22.79 million.
NAPLAN results compared to schools with similar students:
Above average: Year 3 writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation and numeracy.
Below average: Year 7 reading and grammar and punctuation; and Year 9 reading.
Close to average: All other measures.
SOMERSET COLLEGE
Operated by: Somerset College Limited.
Description: Independent coeducational Prep-to-Year 12 day school at Mudgeeraba with 1439 students enrolled in 2018. Somerset last month unveiled a $9 million technology centre featuring hydroponic gardens, laser cutters and robotics.
The ACNC is yet to receive the college’s financial report from 2018, so financial figures below are from the last submitted report, its 2017 financials lodged in June last year.
TOTAL ASSETS: $68.03 million. REVENUE: $39.46 million, up from $36.94 million in 2016. SURPLUS: $4.96 million, up from $3.29 million.
TAX: As a registered charity, the school paid no tax on its income. STAFF BENEFITS: $23.12 million, up from $22.79 million in 2016. FEES/OTHER PARENT CONTRIBUTIONS (2018 average
per student): $15,065. GOVERNMENT FUNDING (2018
average per student): $8889. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (three
years to 2018): $21.08 million.
NAPLAN results compared to schools with similar students:
Above average: Year 5 spelling; Year 7 grammar and punctuation; and Year 9 numeracy and grammar and punctuation.
Below average: Year 3 reading. Close to average: All other measures.
ALL SAINTS ANGLICAN SCHOOL
Operated by: All Saints Anglican School Limited.
Description: Co-educational Prep- to-Year 12 day school at Merrimac with 1785 students enrolled in 2018. The school’s latest available financial records, for 2018, were lodged with the ACNC on June 26 this year. TOTAL ASSETS: $82.36 million. REVENUE: $37.4 million, down from $38.1 million the previous year.
SURPLUS: $124,484, down from $2.081 million the previous year. TAX: As a registered charity, the school paid no tax on its income. Staff benefits: $25.6 million, up from $24.7 million the previous year.
FEES/OTHER PARENT CONTRIBUTIONS (2018 average
per student): $10,331. GOVERNMENT FUNDING (2018
average per student): $8894. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (three
years to 2018): $23.4 million.
NAPLAN results compared to schools with similar students:
Above average: Year 9 numeracy.
Close to average: All other measures.
ST HILDA’S SCHOOL SOUTHPORT
Operated by: Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane (Anglican).
Description: All girls, Prep-to-Year 12 boarding and day school with 1106 students enrolled in 2018. Recent capital projects at the school’s 14ha Southport site have included $6.3 million spent in 2017 towards construction of a junior STEM building and renovations of existing buildings.
The ACNC is yet to receive the school’s financial report from 2018, so financial figures below are from the last submitted report, its 2017 financials lodged in June last year.
TOTAL ASSETS: $80.77 million. REVENUE: $32.6 million, up from $30.61 million in 2016. SURPLUS: $2.08 million, up from $1.29 million.
TAX: As a registered charity, the school paid no tax on its income. STAFF BENEFITS: $22.2 million. FEES/OTHER PARENT CONTRIBUTIONS (2018 average
per student): $16,033. GOVERNMENT FUNDING (2018
average per student): $8339. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (three
years to 2018): $13.76 million.
NAPLAN results compared to schools with similar students:
Above average: Year 3 grammar and punctuation.
Close to average: Year 3 reading, writing, spelling and numeracy; Year 5 reading, writing, spelling, numeracy, grammar and punctuation; Year 7 reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation; and Year 9 writing, spelling, numeracy, grammar and punctuation.
Below average: Year 7 numeracy; Year 9 reading and numeracy.
AB PATERSON COLLEGE
Operated by: AB Paterson College Limited.
Description: Co-educational Prep-to-Year 12 day school at Arundel with 1390 students enrolled in 2018. The school recently opened a $13 million new learning precinct featuring a rainforest-themed playground, cafe and film studio. Financials below are from the school’s 2018 financial report, lodged on June 29 this year.
TOTAL ASSETS: $51.63 million
REVENUE: $30.92 million, up from $30.52 million in 2017.
SURPLUS: $1.6 million, down from $2.5 million in 2017.
TAX: As a registered charity, the school paid no tax on its income. STAFF BENEFITS: $19.33 million, up from $18.46 million.
FEES/OTHER PARENT CONTRIBUTIONS (2018 average per student): $10,590.
GOVERNMENT FUNDING (2018 average per student): $8787. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (three years to 2018): $9.27 million.
NAPLAN results compared to schools with similar students: Close to average: Year 3 writing and spelling; Year 5 spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Above average: All other measures.
THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL
Operated by: Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane (Anglican).
Description: All boys, Prep-to-Year 12 boarding and day school with 1551 students enrolled in 2018. TSS has recently embarked on its biggest ever capital works project,
the Annand Theatre, a multimillion-dollar facility tipped to rival the city’s cultural showpiece HOTA. The ACNC is yet to receive the school’s financial report from 2018, so financial figures below are from the last submitted report, its 2017 financials lodged in June last year.
TOTAL ASSETS: $138.37 million. REVENUE: $30.07 million, up from $28.69 million in 2016.
SURPLUS: $6.63 million, up from $3.82 million.
TAX: As a registered charity, the school paid no tax on its income. STAFF BENEFITS: $26.35 million. FEES/OTHER PARENT
CONTRIBUTIONS (2018 average per student): $17,642. GOVERNMENT FUNDING (2018 average per student): $8727. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (three years to 2018): $23.76 million.
NAPLAN results compared to schools with similar students:
Above average: Year 3 numeracy; Year 5 numeracy and grammar and punctuation.
Close to average: Year 3 reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation; Year 5 reading, writing, spelling; Year 7 numeracy; and Year 9 numeracy.
Below average: Year 7 reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation; Year 9 reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
COOMERA ANGLICAN COLLEGE
Operated by: The Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane.
Description: A co-educational Prep-to-Year 12 day school at Upper Coomera with 1414 students enrolled in 2018.
The ACNC is yet to receive the college’s financial report from 2018, so financial figures below are from the last submitted report, its 2017 financials lodged in June last year.
TOTAL ASSETS: $47.64 million. REVENUE: $27.55 million, up from $25.82 million.
SURPLUS: $3.12 million, up from $2.69 million in 2016.
TAX: As a registered charity, the school paid no tax on its income. STAFF BENEFITS: $16.1 million. FEES/OTHER PARENT CONTRIBUTIONS (2018 average per student): $7921.
GOVERNMENT FUNDING (2018 average per student): $9046. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (three years to 2018): $11.46 million. NAPLAN results compared to schools with similar students: Above average: Year 3 reading, grammar and punctuation and numeracy; Year 9 writing and grammar and punctuation.
Close to average: All other measures.
SAINT STEPHEN’S COLLEGE
Operated by: Saint Stephen’s College Limited.
Description: Co-educational Christian Prep-to-Year 12 day school in Upper Coomera with 1265 students enrolled in 2018.
The ACNC is yet to receive the college’s financial report from 2018, so financial figures below are from the last submitted report, its 2017 financials lodged in June last year.
TOTAL ASSETS: $56.82 million. REVENUE: $27.05 million, up from $26.07 million in 2016.
SURPLUS: $3.45 million, down from $3.54 million in 2016.
TAX: As a registered charity, the school paid no tax on its income. STAFF BENEFITS: $16.15 million. FEES/OTHER PARENT CONTRIBUTIONS (2018 average per student): $9387.
GOVERNMENT FUNDING (2018 average per student): $8145. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (three years to 2018): $8.9 million. NAPLAN results compared to schools with similar students: Below average: Year 3 spelling, Year 5 spelling, Year 7 writing, spelling and numeracy.
Close to average: All other measures.
HILLCREST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
Operated by: Hillcrest Christian College Limited.
Description: Co-educational Prep- to-Year 12 day school with 1450 students enrolled in 2018.
The ACNC is yet to receive the college’s financial report from 2018, so financial figures below are from the last submitted report, its 2017 financials lodged in June last year.
TOTAL ASSETS: $36.67 million. REVENUE: $26.43 million, up from $23.28 million in 2016.
SURPLUS: $2.7 million, down from $3.8 million.
TAX: As a registered charity, the school paid no tax on its income. STAFF BENEFITS: $15.5 million, up from $12.68 million in 2016.
FEES/OTHER PARENT CONTRIBUTIONS (2018 average per student): $7217.
GOVERNMENT FUNDING (2018 average per student): $9424. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (three years to 2018): $16.2 million.
NAPLAN results compared to schools with similar students: Below average: Year 5 writing, grammar and punctuation and numeracy; Year 7 writing and numeracy; Year 9 writing.
Close to average: All other measures.
ASSISI CATHOLIC COLLEGE
Operated by: The Corporation of the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane. Description: Co-education Prepto-Year 12 Catholic School at Upper Coomera with 1398 students enrolled in 2018. Catholic schools do not lodge separate financial reports with the charities commission, with the diocese instead submitting an overall report which is not itemised by school. The financial results are not in the school’s annual report. Financials below for Assisi sourced from ACARA for calendar year 2017.
TOTAL ASSETS: Not disclosed. REVENUE: $20.96 million. SURPLUS: Not disclosed.
TAX: As a registered charity, the school paid no tax on its income. STAFF BENEFITS: Not disclosed. FEES/OTHER PARENT CONTRIBUTIONS (2018 average per student): $3758.
GOVERNMENT FUNDING (2018 average per student): $10,865. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (three years to 2018): $2.28 million.
NAPLAN results compared to schools with similar students: Below average: Year 5 reading, spelling and numeracy.
Close to average: All other measures.
TRINITY LUTHERAN COLLEGE
Operated by: Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District
Description: Co-educational Christian Prep-to-Year 12 day school at Ashmore with 1082 students enrolled in 2018.
The ACNC is yet to receive the college’s financial report from 2018, so financial figures below are from the last submitted report, its 2017 financials lodged in June last year.
TOTAL ASSETS: $39.84 million. REVENUE: $19.87 million, up from $18.61 million in 2016.
SURPLUS: $1.72 million, up from $469,123 in 2016.
TAX: As a registered charity, the school paid no tax on its income. STAFF BENEFITS:
$11.29 million, up from $11.18 million in 2016. FEES/OTHER PARENT CONTRIBUTIO NS (2018 average per student): $8474
GOVERNMENT FUNDING (2018 average per student):
$9692. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (three years to 2018):
$4.49 million.
NAPLAN results compared to schools with similar students:
Below average: Year 5 writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation and numeracy. Close to average: All other
measures.
EMMANUEL COLLEGE
Operated by: Emmanuel College. Description: A co-educational Prep-to-Year 12 day school at Carrara with 1580 students enrolled in 2018.
The ACNC is yet to receive the college’s financial report from 2018, so financial figures below are from the last submitted report, its 2017 financials lodged in June last year.
TOTAL ASSETS: $58 million. REVENUE: $14.01 million, up from $13.43 million in 2016.
SURPLUS: $4.02 million, down from $4.84 million in 2016.
TAX: As a registered charity, the school paid no tax on its income. STAFF BENEFITS: $18.65 million, up from $17.45 million. FEES/OTHER PARENT CONTRIBUTIONS (2018 average per student): $8850. GOVERNMENT FUNDING (2018 average per student): $9357. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (three years to 2018): $18.04 million.
NAPLAN results compared to schools with similar students:
Above average: Year 7 writing and Year 9 grammar and punctuation. Below average: Year 3 spelling
and numeracy. Close to average: All other measures. Sources: The Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission; the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority; school annual reports and websites.