The newest Catholic primary school in South Australia has been blessed in a lovely opening ceremony over a year in the making.
McAuley Catholic School, Hove opened at the start of the 2020 school year, welcoming students from Reception to Year 6. McAuley shares its site with the Alive Catholic Early Learning Centre, Hove which also opened its doors in January 2020.
An event to officially open the school known as a ‘place to thrive’ was delayed more than once in its inaugural year by COVID-19 restrictions.
So after helping children to thrive for five school terms, the long-awaited celebration event finally took place on April 29, hosted by Year 6 school leaders and the school’s Acting Principal Marianne Loftus.
An opening homily by Archbishop Patrick O’Regan reflected on the positive effects of putting God at the centre of all things, guided by the examples of Saint Catherine of Siena and of course the school’s namesake Catherine McAuley.
“McAuley Community School represents many more years of innovation and strength, of Catholic Education in South Australia pioneered by Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods. Congratulations to everyone who was involved in the McAuley Community School project, to build a place where young people can learn to love the Lord”, said Bishop O’Regan.
Archbishop O’Regan blessed the buildings and the present and future staff, students and educators of McAuley, the first new Catholic primary school in South Australia for 10 years.
The gathering was also attended by The Honourable John Gardener, State Minister for Education, Amanda Wilson, Mayor, City of Holdfast Bay and Dr Neil McGoran, Director of Catholic Education South Australia.
Nicolle Flint MP, Federal Member for Boothby addressed the crowd on behalf of the Federal Minister for Education Alan Tudge, before unveiling comemorative plaques for both McAuley and Alive in front of State Minster Corey Wingard who grew up in the local area, and Roberto Bria, the CEO at City of Holdfast Bay.
Minister Gardner expressed the state government’s commitment and dedication to all young learners in South Australia, including those in Catholic schools.
Professor Denis Ralph, Chair, South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools thanked the federal and state governments for their contributions towards funding the capital works for McAuley Community School and for many other Catholic schools. Professor Ralph also recognised the impressive work of the building’s architects, Swanbury Penglase, and the builders, Mossop Construction + Interiors.
Professor Ralph acknowledged the rich history and tradition carried into McAuley, built on the site of the former Marymount College, from its origins in St Teresa’s School, Brighton. Established by Sisters of Mercy who came to Brighton from Broken Hill, St Teresa’s was open for 104 years before closing its doors at the end of 2019. Professor Ralph recognised the work that went into the seamless transition of the St Teresa’s School community to the new, innovative 6-star environmentally rated McAuley Community School.
Pictured above L-R: Professor Denis Ralph, Chair, South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools, Dr Neil McGoran, Director of Catholic Education South Australia, Marianne Loftus, Acting Principal, McAuley Community School, Archbishop Patrick O'Regan, Nicolle Flint MP, Federal Member for Boothby and Amanda Wilson, Mayor, City of Holdfast Bay.
St Francis de Sales College, Mount Barker has officially opened its brand new, state-of-the-art primary school facilities for students in Reception to Year 6.
The $13.7million project includes the new co-located Alive Catholic Early Learning Centre for children aged 6 months to 5 years.
