St Patrick's Mentone new junior wing officially opens

From humble beginnings in 1904, St Patrick’s Primary School, Mentone, has been completed with the opening of a new junior wing.

The new building was blessed by Archbishop of Melbourne Peter Comensoli and officially opened by Member for Mordialloc and Parliamentary Secretary for Schools, Tim Richardson, with the  attending.

National Catholic Education executive director Jacinta Collins attended the opening, with Member for Sandringham Brad Rowsell and members of the school’s parent community and representatives from the local parish and Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS).

"Our aim was to create a building that allowed access for everyone, catered for the continued growth of the school and provided state-of-the-art facilities that would enhance the education we provide our students," St Patrick's School principal Tim Noonan said.

"Four years ago, after we completed our wonderful lift, we wanted to continue to build and cater for the amazing growth in our school community."

The new junior wing has been funded in partnership with the Victorian Government which provided $1.7 million, with the school contributing $1.7 million supported by MACS and Catholic Development Fund.

Read more via the MACS website.

Archbishop of Melbourne Peter Comensoli, NCEC executive director Jacinta Collins, St Patrick's School principal Tim Noonan, Parliamentary Secretary for Schools Tim Richardson, Fr Cameron Forbes, and Member for Sandringham Brad Rowswell with year six student leaders at the official opening and blessing of St Patrick’s School, Mentone.

Diocese of Wollongong Year 12 leaders light the way

Nine outstanding leaders from secondary schools across the Diocese of Wollongong were celebrated at the Bishop's Student Excellence Awards held late last month.

Students and their families, principals, and Catholic Education Office staff gathered with the Bishop of Wollongong Brian Mascord, and the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) Director of Schools Peter Hill, to recognise the excellent achievements and contributions of these young women and men.

The Bishop's Student Excellence Awards provide an opportunity to acknowledge the religious, academic, and community-based accomplishments of a Year 12 student from each of the Catholic systemic secondary schools in the diocese, as nominated by their principal. 

CEDoW head of school improvement services, John Lo Cascio said the awards are presented to students who embody true dedication to the vision of Catholic education and gospel values. 

“In their own spheres of influence, these young people have made significant contributions to the vibrancy of their school communities in an exemplary manner,” he said.

“These awards are a way of recognising students who promote our Diocese's core values of integrity, compassion, justice, and hope in a truly meaningful way." 

Read more via the CEDoW website.

Back row: General manager Catholic Development Fund (CDF) Tony Sanderson; Bishop of Wollongong Brian Mascord; Luc-Pierre Tannous, Corpus Christi, Oak Flats; Gwendolyn Ucar, St Benedict's, Oran Park; Tameka Thorne, John Therry, Rosemeadow; Gabriel Garcia, Mount Carmel, Varroville; director of schools Peter Hill, and manager client relations CDF, Trevor Kellam. Photo via Diocese of Wollongong. Front row: Sarah Anscombe, St Francis, Edmondson Park; Georgia Finlay, Holy Spirit, Bellambi; Neave Keenan, St Joseph's, Albion Park; Jade Poulton, St John the Evangelist, Nowra, and Athena Fajardo, Magdalene, Narellan.

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) recently welcomed representatives from the Catholic Schools NSW Board, as well as the directors of NSW diocesan education systems.

Each year, the CSNSW Board visits a diocese to engage with school and system leaders and educators. Following the recent floods in Lismore - where this year’s visit was originally scheduled - CEDoW volunteered to host the 2022 gathering.

During their time in Wollongong, the delegation visited six schools and participated in a Mass celebrated by the Bishop of Wollongong Brian Mascord DD. 

CEDoW director of schools, Peter Hill said the visit was an opportunity to showcase what makes our vibrant Catholic school communities so special. 

“We are incredibly proud of the accomplishments of our students, teachers, school leaders and Catholic Education Office staff,” he said.

“After several very difficult years, and in the midst of ongoing challenges impacting all Australian schools, it was a great pleasure to be able to share some of the inspiring work occurring in our school and parish communities.”

Read more on CEDoW's website.

Students from St Francis Catholic College, Edmondson Park, welcomed members of the Catholic Schools NSW Board during their recent visit to the Diocese of Wollongong.