New buildings open
Two major building projects were officially opened and blessed at St Joseph’s Primary School in Warragul last week.
The celebration of the two projects, undertaken at a combined cost of $1.78 million, was held in front of students, staff, invited guests and friends of the school and parish community on Tuesday morning.
Parish priest Father Brendan Hogan officially blessed and opened the foundation learning area and years one and two learning spaces.
Principal Roslyn Joyner said the building works had created new light-filled, flexible learning spaces as well as new outdoor areas.
Diocese of Sale director of Catholic education Paul Velten said St Joseph’s had a long and proud history of quality Catholic education since first opening in Warragul in 1882.
He said the first school site was next to the St Joseph’s church before moving to Connor St in 1951 and the current Burke St site in 2004.
Praising the school’s strong sense of community, Mr Velten said “the new facilities have provided additional resources and spaces for students to thrive academically, spiritually and socially, now and into the future.”
Mrs Joyner said the first project involved turning a former library into a modern foundation learning area that was bright, welcoming and incorporated a raised area for quiet activities.
Completed in 2022 at a cost of $637,690, it was self-funded by a Catholic Development Fund (CDF) loan.
She said the second project saw creation of years one and two learning spaces, a multi-purpose area and glassed-in teacher workspace. A feature is floor to ceiling glass and new outdoor areas. Roofing was also replaced.
Completed in December at a cost of $1.14 million, it attracted a $500,000 federal government grant. The remainder was met by a $645,000 CDF loan.
Federal Minister for Education Jason Clare sent a letter of congratulations to be read at the official opening.
Mr Clare said such facilities enable students to “become anything you want”.
“Aim higher, be kinder and work harder,” he told students as they enjoy the new building.
St Joseph’s Primary School leaders (front, from left) Lenny Barake, Amity-Rose Hickey and Jacynda Romano unveil plaques to offically open two new building projects at the Warragul school. They are accompanied by (back, from left) school advisory board members Caitlin Juster and Paul Jensen, Catholic Development Fund (CDF) senior relationship manager Tamara Fernando, DOSCEL board director John Swan, Warragul parish priest Father Brendan Hogan, Diocese of Sale director of Catholic education Paul Velten, DOSCEL board director Cathy Jenkins, assistant priest Father Antony Santhiyagu and school principal Roslyn Joyner.