BRISBANE archdiocese’s newest Catholic primary school, St Benedict’s School, located within Our Lady of the Way Parish, Petrie, was blessed and officially opened on August 31.
From a “blank canvas” in the growth suburb of Mango Hill, St Benedict’s has grown into a school with 124 students in classes from Preparatory to Year 3.
Foundation principal Mark Creevey welcomed guests to the blessing liturgy led by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Oudeman of Brisbane with assistance from Our Lady of the Way parish priest Fr Peter McCartin.
During the liturgy, which involved students, parents, staff and invited guests taking part in song, dance, prayer and stories, Bishop Oudeman blessed the new buildings, the school community and a number of crosses that will hang in classrooms.
He later joined State Member for Murrumba Dean Wells to officially open the school and unveil a plaque for Stage 1 of construction of the proposed Prep to Year 12 college.
Mr Creevey said he was looking forward to piecing together all the components that were going to make up a quality Catholic education facility at Mango Hill.
He said Mango Hill was growing at an immense rate with new families entering the area all the time.
“We had a blank canvas to start with and it’s going to be exciting piecing it all together over the coming years,” he said.
“It’s a challenging task but one which I’m going to find very enjoyable.”
Mr Creevey said the school would also welcome the presence of the Good Samaritan Sisters from 2009.
He thanked Federal Member for Petrie Yvette D’Ath, Cr James Houghton, staff and students, surrounding schools and the Petrie parish community for their support during the planning and building of the school.
Executive director of Brisbane Catholic Education David Hutton congratulated the school community on their “special day”.
He said construction of the school would not have been possible without State Government grants in excess of $4 million and the $1 million contributed by Brisbane archdiocese in co-operation with parents.
“I have no doubt that as you ‘Walk in God’s Way’ you will grow in stature in this community as a school of authentic Catholic learning from which students steeped in the faith of St Benedict will graduate,” he said.
For enrolment enquiries call (07) 3481 4600.
