New gym honours Dominican founders
Schools
The official opening and blessing of Caleruega Hall at Cabra Dominican College this month was an opportunity to reflect on the history of the school.
Sr Bernadette Kiley OP, Congregational leader of the Holy Cross Congregation of Dominican Sisters, explained that the hall took its name from the birthplace in Spain of St Dominc de Guzman, the founder of the Dominican order.
“I must say this magnificent building is both beautiful and useable, and because it is both, it seems to me to have a particularly Dominican spirit,” Sr Kiley said.
Mrs Sharon Cibich, leader of Learning: Health and Physical Education, paid tribute to the Dominican Sisters who founded the school in 1886 for their leadership and innovation.
She said the $8.7 million gym would provide new and different opportunities for participation in sporting activities which was vital to students’ wellbeing.
Sienna Thompson
Sienna Thompson, Year 10, provided a student’s perspective on how the gym improves day to day life in PE classes and for after-school sport.
Around 100 guests including a number of principals and business managers from other Catholic schools attended the ceremony, held 40 years almost to the day from the date (17 February 1980) that Father Joe Grealy opened and blessed the previous gym, a pre-fab building funded entirely by the Parents and Friends Committee.
Designed by Russell & Yelland and built by Kennetts, the double court gym greatly expands the school’s ability to host gatherings for up to 1500 people.
It also includes general learning areas, change facilities, dedicated areas for teacher preparation and space for an EFM Health Club.
Principal Dr Helen Riekie thanked everyone involved in the project, in particular Paul Angley, Cabra business manager, for his expertise and guidance throughout the project.
She said the facility would be both well-loved and well-used.
Jump to next article
Comments
Show comments Hide comments