Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

When we visited Brisbane last year we really liked North Lakes as a place to live, and in particular McCarthy Homes. I'm now looking at other areas that might be nice to live, and have seen that McCarthy have a display home at Thornlands.

Can anyone tell me a bit more about Thornlands - is it a big development, are there good local amenities (shops, bars), how's the transport into Brisbane CBD - both by car and by public transport? Is it generally a nice place to live?

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Its a suburb of redlands. You can cross redlands in 15 mins. Thornslands is mostly housing, with the main shops being at victoria point, cleveland ( Council ) and capabala.

There's a slow train from cleveland, or catch a bus out of vicky point going via bus way or capalaba. Average travel to the city I guess is around 1hr. You can drive, but you'll come up against limited and expensive parking in brisbane CDB.

Council Site

http://www.redland.qld.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx

Typically redlands was an aged farming area but now has many houses. Its very relaxed, and quiet, and you'd be lucky to find anyone eating out after 9pm.

A large number of brits live here as you still get better value for money, and that sea view.

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

hi, i lived there for 3 years its on the outskirts of cleveland, a great place to live as its about 40 mins from both city and gold coast. Shopping centres of victoria point and victoria point are few mins away. I am back in uk but will be going back to live in cleveland in January.
Having lived there before with 2 teenage kids i have to say i prefer cleveland but tends to be bit more expensive for housing.
Brendan

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Great. Thank you both. Gives us a bit more to think about.

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Much more amenities etc in Cleveland than there is in Thornlands which actually borders Cleveland.Also in my opinion better facilities in Victoria Point (no train line but)or Wellington Point

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Ormiston is right next door to Cleveland and a nice area too.

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

The main part fo Thornlands is nice its a mid-size estate like much of australia suburbia but its surrounded by water. There are tons of parks, bikeways, walkways, etc that you are on your doorstep. There is an older part of thornlands that has more established houses and ismore inland. Cleveland is also nice and if you have the dollars there are some stunning homes in Raby Bay marina on water, or along some of the streets fronting the bay there are lots of new and colonial houses. There are tons of houses for rent and for sale inthornlands - because its all quite new, and there is still the last few phases of development.

Goldcoast is 40 minutes along with theme parks (and Ikea)

Commute to CBD is 1hr for sure each way at peak times. 45 minutes off peak. Trains are 2 options, 40 minute express at about 645am (yeah right) or the 25 stop slow train (it really does stop like every 3 minutes) which is 1hr .

Not busy area - not congested - plenty of shops, cafes, supermarkets, infrastructure, public pool, libraries x 2 , loads and loads of schools (ormiston state, thornlands state, victoria point state, etc).

You can get ferry for about 5$ over to Coochiemudlo island which is 5 minutes ferry and you could be on a desert island (albeit with a chip shop).

Birkdale, Wellington Point are nice and 15 minutes closer to CBD with similar features but more mature areas.

ormiston is beautiful older style area.

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Thornlands is between Cleveland and Victoria Point, and it all seems joined together, so it's difficult to know exactly where the borders are.

The shops in Victoria Point are excellent. Rarely need to leave the area for anything these days. :)

Parts of Thornlands are so close to Victoria Point, that some kids at one of the Thornlands schools walk to the Vic Point shops at lunch time.

We also tend to miss all the really bad storms that hit the area. I tend to watch them on the radar, and they almost always divide and bypass us with part going below us and part going above us. I've never worked out why though.

Cleveland is the closest railway station, and the normal travel time to Brisbane central is 1 hour.

The area does seem popular with the British, with about 8-9% being British born, although many of them having lived here for many many years. My British born neighbour moved here 70 years ago. The average British born is only about 5% for Brisbane in general.

Places to eat in Victoria Point:
Luscious Café
Big Chief Flame Burgers
Indique Indian Restaurant & Bar
Toscani’s Cafe Bar & Restaurant
Hogs Breath
Fasta Pasta
Elysium Wine & Tapas Bar
Ahmets Turkish Restaurant
The Espresso Bar
Sushi Point Restaurant
La Madrina
Ya Hoo Seafood Restaurant
Haveli Indian Restaurant
.... and this list is not complete, I grabbed it from the website of ONE of our shopping centre areas, we have 4.

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Hmm... It takes me about 10 minutes to get to the Thornlands school at 3pm, due to "school traffic' congestion at the lights. Normally only takes 5 minutes outside peak time...


:D

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Ok.. so its not congested by english standards , but you've gone native ABC after all these years....


practical gridlock ;-)

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

I suppose I have, haven't I :rofl:

I've just realised, I haven't driven in a Brisbane rush hour for some years now. I always go outside peak hours.

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

How well I remember Victoria Pt in gridlock around school time:D:D

WW

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

It's all good now though, school finished yesterday !

Oh.. wait a minute... my daughters one finished, but I think the State school has another week!

I'll just have to avoid driving at that time :)
Just realised...I won't be, as I don't need to pick her up :thumbup: (I am thinking fast today)

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Fabulous replies. Thank you very much. Will definitely check the area out when we eventually make it over - sounds ideal, and especially nice being near the water :thumbsup:

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Because the Bayside is a more established area it has a varied spread of types of housing , shops , restaurants ,ammenities etc. There are new estates being built near to the waters edge or at the other extreme there is acreage. Like previously said there are shopping centres at Victoria Point and at Capalaba which is a more established area. There are numerous good restaurants around Raby Bay Harbour, Victoria Point and Wellington Point. Housing tends to be a bit more expensive than some areas but when you take into account whats around its well worth the extra

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Great info, we are hoping to move to Bayside area in the next few months all being well. Loved all round there while we were on holiday in December. :)

Can you give any info on the schools in the area, Thornlands, Cleveland, and Victoria Point.

Thanks :)

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

First day back at school yesterday and the traffic at 3pm was bad again !!

15 minutes to get to the school !!! There was a queue at the roundabout near the State school, so I turned around and went a different way, but I ended up being slower than them anyway :thumbdown:

Just about to go again soon, (2nd morning)....

mark 'n' joe, I'll dig out some info that I have somewhere on the schools, later.
I did something some time back for the web, but can't quite recall where I put it.

15 Minutes !!! My wife does Vic Pt to Stones Corner in 45 minutes every day, and that's a LOT further.
If it stays at that time, my daughter starts walking, it's only about 20 minutes to walk it.

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Thanks, much appreciated :)

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Yeah the traffic has been bad up to Ormiston the last couple of mornings from Thornlands, but it does settle down. It was only taking me about 7 mins last term, but it's double that at the moment!

Good luck with the move.

Love

Rudi

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

The info I was looking for, I cannot locate at the moment, but I do have this for one local school:

Faith Lutheran, Redlands, QLD
This is a mid price range, private school in the area.

Primary is in Victoria Point
Secondary is in Thornlands

Tuition Fees for 2009
Prep to Year 6 $2,728 per annum
Middle School Year 7-9 $4,100 per annum
Senior School Year 10-12 $4,916 per annum
Discounts for multiple children, up to 50%.

Materials and Activities Levy
Junior School (P - Year 6) $ 664 per annum
Middle School (Year 7-9 $1,504 per annum ((includes Mt Binga camp)
Senior School (Year 10-12) $1,032 per annum
This is a fee that covers photocopying, acquisitions of learning technologies, and classroom/library consumables, excursions, all compulsory camps, (including Mt Binga) visiting artists, swimming lessons, sports equipment, travel to sports carnivals and one College Magazine - ‘Focus’ - per student.

Text Book hire cost for 2009:
$90 per year per Year 7-10 student
$100 per Year 11 and 12 student

Compulsory Capital Levy of $330 per annum for each family
Parents and Friends Levy has been set at $128 per annum

New Students:
Application Fee:
A non-refundable fee of $75 is to accompany the Enrolment Application for each student

Enrolment Bond:
An interest free bond secures acceptance of each enrolment offer. The bond is returned when the child leaves the College
1st Child $400
2nd Child $300
3rd Child $200
then $100 per child after.


Education Results:
NAPLAN Results for Faith Lutheran College, the Australian average and each State above the average.

Year 9 SPELLING
593.0 Faith Lutheran College
586.7 ACT
586.6 Nsw
580.3 Vic
577.0 Australian Average

Year 9 READING
601.9 ACT
599.0 Faith Lutheran College
584.6 Vic
583.1 Nsw
578.8 Tas
578.0 Australian Average


Year 9 GRAMMAR
588.7 ACT
582.0 Faith Lutheran College
576.1 Nsw
574.7 Vic
569.2 Australian Average

Year 9 NUMERACY
594.9 ACT
591.4 Nsw
590.7 Vic
585.0 Faith Lutheran College
582.2 Australian Average

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Centre Name Telephone Facsimile Email Address Internet Site Principal/Officer-in-Charge
Alexandra Hills State High School (07) 3820 1444 (07) 3820 1400 [email protected] www.alexhillshs.eq.edu.au Mrs Gail Armstrong
Alexandra Hills State School (07) 3820 0333 (07) 3820 0300 [email protected] www.alexhillss.eq.edu.au Mr Adam Mathewson
Birkdale South State School (07) 3820 4333 (07) 3820 4300 [email protected] www.birksoutss.eq.edu.au Mr Christopher Eveans
Birkdale State School (07) 3286 0777 (07) 3286 0700 [email protected] www.birkdaless.eq.edu.au Mr Stephen Logan
Capalaba State College (07) 3823 9111 (07) 3823 9100 [email protected] www.capalabasc.eq.edu.au Mr Dion Coghlan
Carmel College (07) 3206 0000 (07) 3206 0474 [email protected] www.carmelcollege.qld.edu.au
Cleveland District State High School (07) 3824 9222 (07) 3824 9200 [email protected] www.clevdistshs.eq.edu.au Mr Paul Bancroft
Cleveland State School (07) 3488 1333 (07) 3488 1300 [email protected] www.clevelanss.eq.edu.au Mrs Judith Dale
Coolnwynpin State School (07) 3906 4333 (07) 3906 4300 [email protected] www.coolnwynss.eq.edu.au Mr William Lester
Dunwich State School (07) 3409 6333 (07) 3409 6300 [email protected] www.dunwichss.eq.edu.au Mr Alan Bunce
Faith Lutheran College - Redlands (Beveridge Road Campus) (07) 3820 5500 (07) 3830 5511
Faith Lutheran College - Redlands (Link Road Campus) (07) 3820 5500 (07) 3820 5511 [email protected] www.faithlutheran.qld.edu.au
Hilliard State School (07) 3820 1666 (07) 3820 1600 [email protected] www.hilliardss.eq.edu.au Mr Alan Forbes
MacLeay Island State School (07) 3400 8333 (07) 3400 8300 [email protected] www.maclislass.eq.edu.au Mr Andrew Cummings
Mary MacKillop Catholic Parish Primary School (Birkdale) (07) 3822 5500 (07) 3822 5690 [email protected] www.marymackillop.qld.edu.au
Mount Cotton State School (07) 3822 0444 (07) 3822 0400 [email protected] www.mtcottonss.eq.edu.au Mr Jeffrey Bull
Ormiston College (07) 3821 8999 (07) 3821 1311 [email protected] www.ormiston.qld.edu.au
Ormiston State School (07) 3824 9111 (07) 3824 9100 [email protected] www.ormistonss.eq.edu.au Mr Barry Fanning
Redland Bay State School (07) 3206 7288 (07) 3206 8656 [email protected] www.redlandbayss.eq.edu.au Mr Grant Fraser
Redland District Special School (07) 3488 6333 (07) 3488 6300 [email protected] www.redldistspecs.eq.edu.au Ms Jennifer Hart
Redlands College (Wellington Point) (07) 3286 0222 (07) 3207 3799 [email protected] www.redlands.qld.edu.au
Russell Island State School (07) 3409 1182 (07) 3409 1087 [email protected] www.russislass.eq.edu.au Mr David Anderson
Sheldon College (07) 3206 5555 (07) 3206 5588 [email protected]
St Anthony's School (Alexandra Hills) (07) 3820 1200 (07) 3820 1255 [email protected] www.stanthonysalexhills.qld.edu.au
St Luke's Catholic Parish School (Capalaba) (07) 3245 9595 (07) 3823 2222 [email protected] www.stlukescapalaba.qld.edu.au
St Rita's Primary School (Victoria Point) (07) 3207 6628 (07) 3207 6734 [email protected] www.stritasvp.qld.edu.au
Star of the Sea Primary School (07) 3286 2377 (07) 3286 2677 [email protected] www.staroftheseacleveland.qld.edu.au
Thornlands State School (07) 3821 8111 (07) 3821 8100 [email protected] www.thornlanss.eq.edu.au Ms Jan Burton
Victoria Point State High School (07) 3820 5888 (07) 3820 5800 [email protected] www.vpshs.eq.edu.au Mr John Corbett
Victoria Point State School (07) 3820 5666 (07) 3820 5600 [email protected] www.vicpointss.eq.edu.au Mr Lex Bowden
Vienna Woods State School (07) 3824 1850 (07) 3824 4143 [email protected] www.vienwoodss.eq.edu.au Mr Robert Callum
Wellington Point State High School (07) 3820 4222 (07) 3820 4200 [email protected] www.wellpoinshs.eq.edu.au Mrs Dianne Buchan
Wellington Point State School (07) 3286 0666 (07) 3286 0600 [email protected] www.wellpoinss.eq.edu.au Mr Peter Hadfield

Total found:33 | 1 to 33 displayed

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

That's a new school, just opened this month, taking Prep to Year 3. There was an article in the local paper about them. They intend to reach a Year 7 class in 2013.

For the Catholic school fees in the area, the last figures that I had were for 2007:

• Preschool & Primary : $744 per student or $1,048 for two children or $1,280 per family of 3 or more students, with a building fund contribution of $376 per primary school family.
• Secondary School : $1,576 per student or $2,628 per family (2 students or more), with a building fund contribution of $480 per school family

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

We live in Victoria Point (Pt O'Halloran) and it is ace!
My 7 year old goes to Sheldon Collage and we have seen a vast improvement in him over the last 18 months, he started at Victoria Point state school and we pulled him out after a week!
I did a load of research prior to moving to Aus and was set on living in North Lakes, one look at this area and it just felt right!
Any questions please feel free to email me!

:thumbsup:

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Mine stayed there for one term before we moved her...

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Fantastic, thanks very much :thumbsup::)

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Is Sheldon College a private school?

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Yes, and pretty strict. You have the choice of Sheldon or Ormiston College as the top private, then the church schools ( Catholic, faith Lutheran ..) and then the state schools. Fees will vary, but even in the state schools you'll be shelling out for books, pencil, uniforms etc.

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Ok thanks :)

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

We used Sheldon for a couple of years, while on the waiting list for Faith Lutheran.

It was quite a decision to change when we got to the top of the Faith list, but we did so for a few reasons.

Faith was closer to us, primary within walking distance.
Faith was half the price.
Associating with friends was easier with Faith, as the Faith children were more local to us than the Sheldon children.

Sheldon is very strict. Ultra strict, which may or may not be a good thing.

One boy was seen smoking in uniform, outside school hours. He was expelled.

One child pushed another child, in school. The involved children and parents were called in after school to discuss it. This also involved children who witnessed it. Mine was one who saw it, and I (the father) was consequently also in the meeting.

Some parents have removed children because it is too strict, others go there because it is so strict.

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Hi,
Have also heard this from friends that their children went to Sheldon and the school was very strict so they pulled them out, cannot pass judgement myself as have no personal experience. My daughter has just started at Redlands College (Private School) and finding it very daunting due to primary and high school students all being in the same locality, again to early to pass judgement on the school.:thumbsup:

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

oo, want to send him to a strictish school but not too strict if you know what I mean. He started school here in September but dont think he will be able to start prep until next Jan (hes 5 in July)

Thanks for the replies, sorry OP for taking over your thread :o
Joex

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

I agree Sheldon is strict.

But is is not as strict as my old school back in the NW of England, ok this was 20+ years ago and a public school.

One of the reasons we left the UK in the first place was because there was a huge lack of respect for teachers, at least at Sheldon they will not tolerate this and the pupils are taught to respect teacher's, themselves and each other. Like I said before the change in my Son has been remarkable, we went back to the UK for Christmas and friend and family commented on how well behaved and polite he was, now that's mostly down to Sheldon.

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

I know exactly what you mean I have worked in the Education system in the UK and have done a short spell here in Australia, children need boundaries and guidelines, to allow them to intigrate within society as adults. Sounds like your son is doing well at Sheldon and as said previous cannot pass judgement as never had any personal experience.:)

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

I'm in 2 minds about Sheldon. I have heard all the stories about how strict it is as well, a friend of mine was a teacher there until this year. I went for an interview there wil my 9 and 6 year old.......I was kept waiting for 55 mintues which I was very unimpressed by.

However, what they do offer is a much wider curriculum than Ormiston College, particularly in the areas of performing arts. My eldest is at Ormiston College and my middle daughter will probably go as well, but my youngest......I am just not sure that Orimiston is the right place for her with the emphasis on an academic education only. The flip side of that is that I am not sure that Sheldon is the right place either. She's such a free little spirit and I'd hate to see that knocked out of her by the school.

Tough choices!

Rudi

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

There are many schools here in bayside that offer excellent education - most of the private ones are on a par , each has their own flavour.

The 'respect' angle I can certainly say Ive seen at all the private schools we looked at - discipline and strictness seems to certainly be a focus at sheldon - but the other schools are equally "attentive" to behaviour whilst maybe not being so out+out about the consequences - ie - there is a difference between being given a week to remedy a uniform problem ( like - youhave 1 week to go buy new shoes that are inthe policy ) vs the tougher (perhaps sheldon's) approach which is (you go home now until you have the right shoes) .

The anecdote about shoes is from experience with a friends son.

Im only putting this in here to make the point that there are a range of excellent schools - Ormiston + Sheldon are possibly top of that range or at least market themselves as such andhave a focus on particular things. There are a whole range of others in roughly equal category in terms of quality ofeducation , discipline, structure, and teaching -like faith, redlands college, etc.

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

I'll agree with you on that, from our own experiences.
I once had to drive back to Sheldon with the uniform item that was forgotten, or bring her home.
But this week, at Faith, she has a few days to find her 'missing' sports cap !!!

Maybe if she had stayed at Sheldon, she wouldn't 'mislay' things as easily ???

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Mate, with your "anecdote" is that directed at Sheldon or not? As you say "perhaps"!!!!!!!!!!

I've not known a school in Australia, Sheldon included that would send a student home because of the type of shoe's. Yes you have to have a certain type of shoes at Sheldon but there the usual black lace up "clark" type and to me if parents can't get this type of footwear right well let's face it, more fool them!

At the end of the day it's uniform ;)

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Rule's are rule's at the end of the day :p

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

In this specific case there was some problem with shoes - they got damaged so had to wear 'alternatives' and the school sent them home rather than allow the student to stay. Personally - I think that is slightly ridiculous and losing the plot somewhat in terms of the primary function of the school -to educate. Clearly some people have different opinions and like the zero tolerance policy, but as a parent I would have been mildly livid to be forced to take a day off work because of some shoes getting wet in order to babysit my child until I could find a shop to purchase a specific color rather than being allowed at least 1 days grace to deal with it in a sensible manner after work. (which is what happened :-) )

Omg Im posting about shoes........... how did my life come to this.

Re: Thornlands, QLD anyone?
 

Yep good point and I'd be livid as well, you should have told us that in the first place.
That way it would have kept my fingers from this daft key board and firmly round a stubbie :thumbsup: