Grey skies and a thunderstorm couldn’t take away the excitement in the Riverland as the new St Francis of Assisi College was officially opened and blessed this month.
The College opened its doors in Renmark at the start of the 2022 school year, welcoming students in Years 7 and 8, and will add a year level annually until it becomes a Years 7 to 12 school from 2026.
The formal ceremony officially opened the Diocese of Port Pirie’s first new Catholic school in over 20 years - and its first new Catholic secondary school in 59 years.
Hosted by student representatives and College principal Nathan Hayes, the gathering was also attended by The Honourable John Gardener, State Minister for Education, Tim Whetstone MP, Member for Chaffey, Professor Denis Ralph, Chair, South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools and Emeritus Bishop Gregory O’Kelly, SJ.
Bishop Karol Kulczycki, Bishop of the Diocese of Port Pirie delivered an opening homily before blessing the buildings and the present and future staff, students and educators of the College.
The Welcome to Country was delivered by local First Nation elder Aunty Faith Morgan.
Minister Gardner expressed the state government’s commitment and dedication to all young learners in South Australia, including those in Catholic schools.
Addressing the students in his speech, Mr Gardner said they have a “unique opportunity”.
“It’s such an exciting thing to be the first students at a new school,” Mr Gardner said.
“I have a feeling, as Catholic education in the Riverland has been in existence for more than a century, this school will be very famous in the years ahead and will be known in 100 years.
“Its culture will be built on the foundations of faith… but also the spirit, willingness, enthusiasm and values demonstrated by its first students.”
Nichii Mardon, Director, Catholic Education Diocese of Port Pirie opened her address with a thought that “there’s someone upstairs doing a happy dance for us” in reference to the downpour.
Nichii acknowledged the commitment of the South Australian Commission for Catholic school to bring to life the “joy-filled vision” for the College that was developed with, and for, the people of the Riverland.
“On behalf of the Commission, please accept our Diocese’s gratitude for your commitment to strengthening Catholic education across our state, to the people of the Riverland region and to the growth of faith and learning for current and future generations at St Francis of Assisi College”, Nichii said to Professor Denis Ralph, Chair, South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools.
Nichii paid tribute to the local families of children in the four Catholic primary schools in the Riverland and the broader community whose input and consultation has shaped the policies, programs and plans that have strongly shaped every aspect of the College development.
“Thanks to their feedback, this school community is truly responsive to and compliments the local contexts and needs.”
Nichii said Catholic schools and Catholic education contribute so much to the local and broader community. Catholic education in our regional and remote areas bring and signalise faith, hope, life and learning.
“Establishment of this Catholic school honours the dignity and worth of families, children and young people in this region for whom the opportunity and provision of choice for a Catholic secondary education is not taken for granted.”
On behalf of the South Australian Commission for Catholic schools, Professor Denis Ralph wished St Francis of Assisi College a “dynamic and successful future serving the diversities of the young people and communities across the Riverland”.
Professor Ralph thanked the state government for their financial support of this significant development and for introducing capital grants to Catholic schools from the beginning of 2018.
“This was the first time in the 174-year history of Catholic education that schools received funding for capital works, which has made a huge difference. It’s given us a significant opportunity.”
Professor Ralph also recognised the impressive work of the builders, Mossop Construction + Interiors as well as the architects, Swanbury Penglase.
The next step for the College is the planning and construction of stage two, with the review of stage one already under way.
“We’re talking to our teachers and students about the next stage to make sure we pick up and learn from the first stage, as we move into designing and building what will mostly be for the Years 10 to 12s,” said College principal Nathan Hayes.
Six SA Catholic schools have been recognised by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) for the high gains achieved by students in their NAPLAN scores between 2019 and 2021.
Students in these schools who sat NAPLAN literacy or numeracy tests in 2019 and again in 2021 have shown increases in their scores that are significantly greater than both the national average gain and the gain by students from other similar schools.
