AFTER devastating flood waters swept through Lismore, the city’s Trinity Catholic College today reopened for students on campus at Southern Cross University.
Every classroom at the Marist Schools Australia college was damaged in last week’s flood disaster sparking a national appeal for help, as the college’s acting principal Jesse Smith searched for new accommodation for more than 900 students.
Year 12 students started full time studies again for the first time in 14 days at the SCU’s Lismore campus while other grades from 7-11 will spend one day a week on campus and other days studying online.
St John’s College, Woodlawn, is also assisting as Trinity College struggles to recover.
At Lismore’s Southern Cross University, a special hub will be staffed by college counsellors and members of the school’s pastoral care team to support students – many who belong to families who have suffered extensive housing damage or even lost their homes.
Mr Smith said partnering with Southern Cross guaranteed the viability of student learning in the face of last week’s flooding.
“As our College campuses are being assessed and remediated, this partnership provides certainty for our students, staff and families,” Mr Smith said.
“Our current Year 12 cohort endured the disruption of the 2017 flood event as Year 7 students, but our partnership with Southern Cross will allow them to… continue their education.”
Southern Cross University is also Lismore’s major hub for flood recovery and planning.
Hundreds of tonnes of donated goods are being processed at a distribution centre established on campus to be shared among victims of the record-breaking deluge.
The campus is also hosting key agencies assisting the region‘s recovery of the region including business and legal support, banking, police and defence force.
The university campus is also hosting a medical centre set up to treat flood evacuees and there is even a mobile vet on hand to attend to rescued pets.
“It’s a community emergency. This is what Southern Cross does. It is what the whole Northern Rivers community does. We look out for each other,” Professor Carlin said.
Details how to donate to the Trinity Catholic College flood appeal, organised by Marist Schools Australia, can be found here.
