New schools open in year of expansion
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Two new schools, additional year levels for four regional schools and a record intake of more than 48,000 students have provided a positive start to the year for Catholic education in South Australia.
The first fee-free Catholic school, Compass Catholic Community at Davoren Park, has opened this month. It will provide a unique learning community for 17 to 24 year olds who have not thrived in mainstream schools.
St Francis of Assisi College, the first Catholic secondary college in the Riverland, will provide a pathway for the four existing Catholic primary schools in the region. The Year 7 to 12 college at Renmark has opened its doors to Year 7 and Year 8 students this year and will offer an additional year level annually until it expands to Year 12 by 2026.
The college is part of Catholic Education SA’s expansion of schooling for regional families.
Four other regional schools are expanding to offer Reception to Year 9 (previously R-6) from 2022: St Mary MacKillop School, Wallaroo; St Joseph’s School, Peterborough; St Joseph’s School, Clare; and St Joseph’s School, Murray Bridge.
With a staggered return to school due to the pandemic, Catholic Education director Neil McGoran said COVID safe measures and processes had been put in place for students and staff.
“Whether starting in class or online, we are ready for the best possible start to the school year, and we are committed to ensuring that students can continue to thrive in our Catholic schools,” he said.
“In particular, we warmly welcome more than 4000 children who will be experiencing their first ever day of school.”
Dr McGoran said CESA was mindful of the ongoing impact of the pandemic on the community and would continue to offer school fee remissions to those families who need it.
In addition, following the reduction of school fees at each Catholic parish primary school in 2021, fees have been frozen in 2022.
In all Diocesan secondary and combined Reception-Year 12 schools, fees have also been reduced this year.
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