TO the sounds of We are Australian, a procession of students dressed in national costumes and carrying flags from around the world led the blessing and opening of new buildings at St Ita’s School, Dutton Park, on March 25.
Brisbane Auxiliary Bishop Brian Finnigan blessed the new facilities before Queensland Deputy Premier and Member for South Brisbane, Anna Bligh, officially opened them.
In an unconventional twist, Ms Bligh invited school captains Maile Taimana and Patrick Hogan to help her unveil a plaque.
Stage 2 of the school’s building program, which cost more than $900,000, with a State Government contribution of $626,997 and the school community making up the $347,256 shortfall, consisted of four classrooms, a second Prep classroom, learning support and guidance counselling facilities and a toilet block.
Principal Karen Bakon said the new facilities had made a big difference to the school, especially for learning support and guidance counseling, which had been sharing facilities.
She said over the past 10 years enrolments had increased by 30 per cent and the buildings were already being used by staff and students.
St Ita’s parish priest, Fr Peter Grice, said the facilities had exceeded all expectations.
The theme for the celebration “Diversity with Spirit” reflected the long and enduring tradition of the school educating children of many and varied backgrounds and diverse faiths and cultures.
Brisbane Catholic Education executive director David Hutton paid tribute to the school community who undertook to fund the remainder of the project and commended them that in the past 15 years the school, which was established in 1919, had been virtually rebuilt.
Following the blessing and opening, families gathered on the school’s jubilee playground beside the Brisbane River for a picnic.
