The Archdiocese of Adelaide and Catholic Education South Australia are establishing a new education and community services village for disadvantaged children and young people in the northern suburbs of Adelaide.
The South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools (SACCS) has endorsed the $14.5 million ‘Vision for the North’ initiative following two years of planning and consultation.
After extensive exploration of potential sites in Playford, CESA has secured a 4ha precinct at Davoren Park which will be developed as the location for the village.
The initiative will support the wellbeing, needs and aspirations of vulnerable young people and their families in the Playford area by providing new opportunities for learning, work and community participation.
"With more than 2000 young people currently disengaged from formal learning in Adelaide’s northern suburbs, there is a significant opportunity to break cycles of disadvantage by adopting new approaches to education", said Father Philip Marshall, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Adelaide.
“This is about meeting young people where they are at and supporting them as they build healthy and fulfilling lives.”
“We are expanding special assistance schooling options for children and young people requiring an alternative approach to mainstream schooling”, said Professor Denis Ralph, Chair, SACCS.
"In partnership with Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA), a flexible learning centre will open in 2021 catering for students aged 12-17. The venture will expand on the existing northern outreach program that already engages approximately 70 young people.
"Planned to open in 2022, a second flexible learning centre will support young people aged 17-24 who are experiencing social, emotional or behavioural difficulties, with special programs to support their learning and development."
It is estimated that 65 students will be enrolled when the school opens in 2022. This number is expected to grow to 195 students by 2027.
Future plans for the village include a special assistance primary school that will provide education and care for children who have not yet experienced engagement and success in a typical primary school setting.
“Young people in the Playford community will benefit from new opportunities to continue or re-enter schooling”, said Dr Neil McGoran, Director, Catholic Education SA.
"Our focus is on providing an integrated framework of learning, health, personal and family services and supports that complement the needs of children, young people and their families from a range of diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
“Underpinning this community-based approach is CESA’s belief in the potential of all young people to become inspired to learn, strive for excellence and achieve positive outcomes for themselves, their families and the community, to bring about real change.”
Pictured above: Professor Denis Ralph, Gerard Keating, Dr Neil McGoran, and Reverend Father Philip Marshall. Photo by Ben Macmahon.
Two Catholic schools have been named as winners at this year’s South Australian Architecture Awards for their recent building projects.
Kildare College at Holden Hill and St Martin’s Catholic Primary School at Greenacres were recognised by the Australian Institute of Architects, who award projects that have a considerable impact on the communities they serve and demonstrate generosity toward the broader public.
