Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) has announced plans to expand St Joseph’s School in Clare into a Reception to Year 9 school.
St Joseph’s School will commence offering secondary education with Year 8 in 2022 and Year 9 from 2023.
The $5.95 million expansion was approved by the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools (SACCS) this week.
Professor Denis Ralph, Chair, South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools said: “This exciting expansion is part of our strong commitment to improving Catholic education pathways for children and young people in regional South Australia.”
St Joseph’s last year celebrated 150 years as a Josephite school in Clare, recognising the longevity and strength of Catholic education in this region.
This expansion will give students in Clare and surrounding districts an extended pathway to high quality Catholic education in preparation for their transition to senior secondary years.
“We are excited to be expanding our provision of Catholic education for the Clare and Gilbert Valley regions, building an even stronger focus on student learning and quality teaching in regional South Australia,” said Dr Neil McGoran, Director, Catholic Education South Australia.
“This expansion follows a thorough consultation process with the school, parish and wider community that confirmed that there is strong appetite for a Reception to Year 9 school in Clare.”
Construction of a Year 7 to 9 secondary learning facility on the current school site will begin in early 2021.
The purpose-built facility will include multi-use specialist areas for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Arts and incorporate breakout spaces designed to cater for the specific wellbeing and learning needs of young adolescents.
“The expansion will build on the excellent academic outcomes and pastoral care that is already provided at St Joseph’s”, said Dr McGoran.
“The local school community welcomes this announcement which will strengthen our educational offering to our students. We are excited to be able to offer specialist teachers, curriculum and facilities to cater for the specific learning needs of our new secondary students”, said Peter Shearer, Principal, St Joseph’s School.
“This initiative will achieve a long-awaited vision of adding secondary learning in our community. We’ve been hoping for this for some time.
“This will give students the opportunity to complete their Catholic middle schooling closer to home and will prepare them for success in senior secondary years.”
Image: St Joseph's School principal Peter Shearer with students who will benefit from the expansion. L to R: Mitchell Butler (Year 6), Ruby Redden (Year 6), Lucy Nicholls (Year 5), Peter Shearer.
They are pictured in front of the original school building, dated 1849.
Up to 100 scholarships will be offered to primary and secondary school-aged children and young people in care, thanks to a new, innovative collaboration between Catholic Education South Australia and the Marshall Liberal Government.
