Friday 26 July, 2019
There was a double cause for celebration at St Anne’s College in Kialla this week as Sandhurst’s newest school celebrated their official opening on the feast day of the Colleges’ namesake, St Anne.
Exactly two years after the first sod was turned; students, staff, parents and distinguished guests gathered on-site to mark the formal blessing of the College. Bishop Leslie Tomlinson performed the official duties of blessing the buildings along with Parish Priest, Fr Peter Taylor. Mr Paul Desmond, Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst unveiled the plaque together with School Board Chairperson, Annette Jakob to declare the College officially open.
Principal Dom Poppa thanked everyone for sharing this special occasion with the St Anne’s community. “It is a wonder to be in this place, a place where we hope to shape the future lives of our beautiful young children.”
“Whilst I will thank a number of people for their support in getting to this point, to our students, this is for you, a place where you can discover, wonder and dream the possibilities of what can be,” he said.
To commemorate the occasion the College commissioned local artist and Yorta, Yorta man; Troy Firebrace to create an artwork inspired by St Anne. The colourful painting, which spans more the two metres across, is a wonderful addition to the walls of the college, taking pride of place in the entrance foyer.
Troy said the artwork was a labour of love, which depicts the outline of his own grandmother hidden within the shapes and lines of the magnificent art piece.
“When considering St Anne as the grandmother of Jesus, I reflected on the unconditional love I received from both my Nan and my Grandmother,” he said.
St Anne’s College opened its doors at the beginning of the year for Foundation and Year 7 students, with the intake planned to grow each year until all year levels are full. The purpose-built facility boasts a striking design, combining open areas as with well-appointed classrooms and specialised areas.
Housed under the one roof to ensure a pedagogical approach to provide maximum interaction between students and staff, St Anne’s College will eventually encompass junior, middle and senior neighbourhoods, with new sections already planned to cater for future enrolment growth.
The official Blessing and Opening of St Anne’s College marks an important and historical day for College community as they establish a place in the lives of their students, staff and families both now and into the future.
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