FAQs

Students attend Matthew Flinders Anglican College at Buderim from all areas of the Sunshine Coast (from Caloundra in the South, Maleny in the West, to Noosa in the North). School bus companies offer services to the College from most parts of the Sunshine Coast. For details of bus travel services, please see the Bus Information below.

Flinders is a connected and caring community of families who share a belief in the importance of a quality education and the values of compassion, integrity, respect and courage. All new Flinders students have a buddy and are invited to our orientation days to allow them to become familiar with their new school surroundings, and to meet their teachers and fellow classmates. New students commencing at the start of a new school year also attend an orientation session the day before school starts in January. Parents are encouraged to connect with our educators and staff, who are available to support our new families to enjoy a positive and warm welcome to Flinders.

Please visit the Admissions section of our College website for information about our enrolment process. Several factors are considered prior to offers being made, including school reports (attitude and behaviour comments), interview outcome, date of registration, and sibling connection. For major intake years, parents will be invited to attend an information session to commence the process. The College has waiting pools and parents are advised to register early for places. Please don’t hesitate to contact the Admissions office on (07) 5477 3260 to discuss your child’s preferred entry date.

Matthew Flinders Anglican College offers an all-round education to its students with wonderful opportunities in academic fields, sport and the arts. Our College is proud of its strong academic record, including consistently outstanding academic results. Flinders creates an environment that promotes academic excellence, inspires intellectual curiosity, expects personal accountability and forever instils a genuine passion for learning. The Flinders community is a wonderfully supportive community. Whether striving for academic achievement, raising funds for local or global concerns, pursuing a chosen sport, performing on stage, delving into the fine arts, or taking up the challenge of the many other co-curricular activities on offer, Flinders students encourage and support one another and celebrate each other’s efforts and successes.

A full new Flinders school uniform includes the formal uniform, sports uniform, schoolbag, hats, along with other items and accessories. The cost will depend on how many of each item is purchased. A range of second-hand uniform items may be available. Specific queries may be directed to the Flinders Shop on (07) 5477 2969.

Students will not be using laptops/iPads all day at school. In the classroom, the laptop is used in specific activities for a limited amount of time and at the teacher’s discretion. In some lessons, it is not required at all. Moving between lessons and the normal lunchtime activities will ensure that students will not be in front of a computer for the entire time that they are at school.

The College has entered into an agreement with an Apple-approved supplier to provide the necessary maintenance and insurance to laptops when necessary. Students will be provided with “hot swap” devices for use while their laptop/iPad is being repaired.

Yes. However, the student will be responsible for this. The College utilises a ‘cloud-based service’ for laptop back-ups. Students will be supported to learn the appropriate protocols for backing up their work.

There is overwhelming evidence, supported by research and experience, that well integrated technology and 1:1 access to computers increases student engagement in their learning and as a result of this, increases student outcomes.

Technology plays an important role in teaching and learning at Flinders. It provides opportunities for rich and varied learning experiences while also developing essential digital literacy skills. We want to help our students to become masterful users of technology, with the ability to leverage their skills to support learning and life. In our increasingly digital society, we are mindful that our students need to be equipped with a deep understanding of the role of technology in our world and a strong sense of digital citizenship. At Flinders, we provide opportunities for our students to collaborate in safe online spaces with staff and peers to learn these skills.

Based on our experience and that of other schools, students in the Primary Campus benefit from a 1:1 device allocation, working across a carefully curated collection of age-appropriate educational platforms and software applications. Flinders students in Years 3 to 6 have a personal iPad to support their learning. There are also class iPads for all students from Prep to Year 2.

Specialist staff work with classroom teachers to integrate technology into the classroom in impactful ways that engage, inspire and support achievement across subjects. The recent introduction of Apple Pencils across several year levels is also allowing students new ways to learn and create in the classroom.

Meanwhile, Secondary School students are provided with a 13-inch MacBook Air, along with the following accessories and programs, from Year 7:

• access to back-up facilities
• a hard-shell protective cover for transporting between home and school
• a carry case
• insurance against theft and accidental damage
• extended warranty
• all required

ESL tuition can be arranged by the College at an additional cost. Flinders has no separate English Language College. All overseas students join in our mainstream classes. Enquiries may be directed to international@mfac.edu.au for information.

All of the areas from which our enrolments are drawn are serviced by buses. Parents should contact their local bus company for specific route information as well as departure and return times.

CDC Queensland
Glasshouse Country Coaches