Dreams of future-proofing Echuca’s St Joseph’s College became a reality earlier this month with the opening of the school’s brand new learning facility, Kildare Campus.
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Generations of students, teachers, staff and leaders have celebrated the landmark event, which marks a transformative milestone in the school’s 137-year history.
St Joseph’s College principal Anne-Marie Cairns described the expansion to a multi-campus school as a pivotal chapter for the college, and the wider community.
“It represents our dedication to providing a comprehensive and forward-thinking Catholic education for families in the Echuca-Moama region that prepares students for success in an ever-changing world,” Ms Cairns said.
“It also preserves our cherished traditions, while embracing the possibilities of the future, and honours our school’s enduring legacy and commitment to excellence and growth.”
Kildare Campus is situated on 80 acres of greenfield land on Mt Terrick Rd in Echuca’s west, a short drive from the existing Brigidine Campus on Dickson St in the CBD.
The new campus will accommodate Year 7 students for the remainder of this year, Year 7 and 8 students in 2024, and Year 7, 8 and 9 students from 2025.
Included in this first stage of works is an administration building, learning building for Year 7 students, staff offices, outdoor basketball/netball courts, outdoor gym equipment, expansive passive green spaces, car park and bus drop-off areas.
Stage two capital works commenced in June, and will comprise a technology building, science classrooms, art spaces, canteen, sports oval, a new learning space and more learning enhancement provision.
Stage three works will begin in 2025 and include a sports stadium, performing arts facility and chapel. The long-term project also includes a multimillion-dollar upgrade of the Brigidine Campus in Dickson St, which will commence in 2024.
Ms Cairns said the expansion to a multi-campus college enabled the school to broaden its educational offerings and cater to a growing student demand and projected population growth.
“From the very beginning, our college story has been one of commitment and willingness to break new ground,” she said.
“The combined facilities will provide contemporary learning and teaching spaces, which will continue to provide quality Catholic secondary education in the Brigidine tradition to the students entrusted to our care.”
Ms Cairns said the school’s 250 Year 7 students held an important role as founding leaders and connectors, bridging the legacy of St Joseph’s past with a bright and hope-filled future.
“These bright young students are pioneers here at our new campus, and their presence and contribution will be forever etched in the history books of St Joseph’s College,” she said.
“They symbolise the bond between tradition and innovation that will define our college experience for generations to come.”
Kildare Campus director Jarrod O’Brien said the transition for students and staff to the new campus had been smoother than expected.
Mr O’Brien said they were already reaping the wide-ranging benefits of the contemporary open plan design, which allowed for flexible and collaborative working environments.
“We are blessed with wide open spaces for learners to explore, be inspired, release energy and feel comfortable and at ease,” he said.
“The natural light-filled learning environments foster a real sense of calmness in our students, and outside we have expansive lush turfed areas, basketball and netball courts, outdoor gymnasium equipment, as well as meditative and quiet passive areas.”
Mr O’Brien said the campus design catered for different learning needs, and allowed students to work in a way that suited them, with the inclusion of standing tables, break-out areas, quiet zones, sensory mats and pedal desks.
He said there were also substantial internal breakout learning areas to better enable intervention programs and extension opportunities for learners and thinkers across all curriculum areas, particularly English and maths.
“At St Joseph’s College we have a purposeful and deliberate focus on pastoral care and on supporting our students with additional and specific needs, and that continues to be a primary focus here at Kildare Campus,” Mr O’Brien said.
“We have a team of highly skilled professionals, including social workers, student counsellors, learning enhancement leaders, learning mentors and house leaders on site every day to support the wellbeing needs of our students and to ensure they feel happy, safe and comfortable at school.”
Ms Cairns expressed deep gratitude for the support and dedication of college staff, parents and the wider community in making the vision of Kildare Campus a reality.
“As we progress through the next stages of building works together, we look forward to a future filled with academic excellence, personal growth,and lifelong connections,” she said.
“One culture, one community, one college; multi campus.”
KEY MILESTONES THROUGH THE YEARS
March 1886: The Brigidine Convent High School (as it was originally known) opened in the convent parlour with eight pupils. Six weeks later the girls’ boarding school was opened. By the end of the first year, student numbers had increased to 30 in the high school and 30 in the primary section of the school.
1888: The extension to Apsley House began, and a year later the sisters moved into the new convent building.
1894: The hall and adjoining classrooms were built.
1897: The fountain that adorns the school’s front lawn was generously donated.
September 1899: The memorial stone of the new convent chapel was laid by Bishop Reville.
1940: A two-storey wing of new classrooms was completed.
1960: The boarding house dining room was completed and boarding numbers had grown to more than 60.
1960s: Primary students transferred to St Mary’s Parish Primary School when the primary section closed down.
1961-1967: The first science rooms were built on site, as well as additional classrooms.
1982: Portable classrooms were purchased and used as arts/music and technology classrooms.
1984: The Delany wing was built.
1988: St Joseph’s College ceased to be a boarding school, marking the end of 100 years of boarding at the site.
1993: The convent was refurbished and turned into the administration area/classrooms.
1996: The first lay principal, Bill Teggelove, was appointed.
1998: The building known as the West Wing was demolished and replaced by a two-storey building named Tullow.
2000: Co-principals Rosemary Copeland and Bill Teggelove were appointed to lead the school.
2003: Phillip Healy replaced Bill Teggelove as co-principal.
2005: The college purchased the property at 33 Dickson St, now known as Cill Dara, the school’s Learning Enhancement Centre. That same year, the arts/technology wing, known as Chanel, opened to classes.
2009: Kate Fogarty was appointed as co-principal to replace Rosemary Copeland.
2011: The science classrooms underwent renovation and significant modernisation.
2011: Phillip Healy completed his appointment as co-principal and Kate Fogarty was appointed as principal from the start of the 2012 school year.
2015: Michael Delaney was appointed principal.
2018: A steering committee investigated the future provision of Catholic education in the Echuca-Moama district, determining a new site was needed to cater for the growing population.
2020: An 80-acre site of open land on Mt Terrick Land was purchased to future-proof the school to meet increasing demand.
2021: Michael Delaney retired as principal.
2022: Anne-Marie Cairns was appointed principal.
July 2023: The new Kildare Campus officially welcomed Year 7 students. Stage one of the project has been completed, with stage two expected to be finished in 2024, and preparations for stage three to begin in 2025 when the school welcomes students from Years 7 to 9.
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