Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) has today announced plans to expand St Joseph’s School in Peterborough into a Reception to Year 9 school.
St Joseph’s School, a Catholic school founded in the Josephite tradition, will commence offering secondary education with Year 7 and 8 in 2022 and Year 9 from 2023.
The $1.014 million expansion was approved by the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools (SACCS) this week.
Bishop Gregory O’Kelly SJ, Bishop of the Diocese of Port Pirie, expressed great satisfaction with the decision to progress this development within the Diocese.
He quoted the adage that the education of youth is the renewal of the world, and this endorsement of the ministry of education in the Diocese will be a source of great blessings for the young people and families involved.
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 School has been providing Catholic education in the Josephite tradition in Peterborough for over 120 years, recognising the longevity and strength of Catholic education in this region.
This expansion will give students in Peterborough an extended pathway to Catholic secondary education in preparation for their transition to senior secondary years. There is currently no secondary Catholic education pathway for families and students in Peterborough.
“We are excited to be expanding our provision of Catholic education in Peterborough, building on existing partnerships with families and the local community and maintaining a strong focus on student learning and quality teaching in regional South Australia,” added Nichii Mardon, Director, Catholic Education Port Pirie Diocese.
“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 Peterborough.”
Construction of a Year 7 to 9 secondary learning facility on the current school site will begin in early 2021, as pictured in the artist impresison below.
The purpose-built facility will include multi-use specialist areas for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Arts, and incorporate spaces to support students learning and wellbeing needs, including a breakout space, a less formal learning space and outdoor learning areas.
“The expansion will support our students in Year 7-9 to continue their engagement with the community and culture they are already used to at St Joseph’s”, said Rebecca Fahey, Principal, St Joseph’s School.
“The local school community welcomes this announcement which will strengthen our educational and pastoral offering for our students. We are excited to be able to offer specialist facilities to cater for the diverse and specific learning needs of our new secondary students.
“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 enable students to continue living, learning and leading in their local Catholic school and will prepare them for success in senior secondary years.”
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 will commence offering secondary education with Year 7 and 8 in 2022 and Year 9 from 2023.
