St Joseph’s – a happy partnership where ‘everyone is bubbling over’

The
Catholic Weekly
Online

Sydney
22 February 2004

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St Joseph’s – a happy partnership where ‘everyone is bubbling over’

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St Joseph’s – a happy partnership where ‘everyone is bubbling over’

PARTNERSHIP: Carl Hampson (Catholic Education Office school facilities officer), Fr Kevin Starkey and principal Sean Grace discuss the new work at St Joseph’s, Moorebank

A conversation with Sean Grace, principal of St Joseph’s, Moorebank, and parish priest Fr Kevin Starkey

ST Joseph’s Primary School at Moorebank in Sydney’s growing south western suburbs provides a good example of a school that is less than 30 years old, yet was urgently in need of upgrading to meet educational requirements of the modern day.

Sean: “Since our school officially opened in 1975 it quickly expanded to stabilise around the 450-student level. However, up until the current renovations took place, little work has been done to keep abreast of the times.

“Our administration building was literally falling apart and was too small for our staff numbers. There were particular problems for professional health and safety and classroom sizes were inadequate.

“The decision was taken to develop a master plan for the whole school. We then appointed an architect who had a long association with the parish community to do the job.

We reviewed it – tinkered with it – and came up with what you see today.”

Fr Kevin: “My responsibility is to pay for the changes. I was concerned not to be put into a position that stopped me running the parish because of a new loan. This is where Terry Keogh, Carl Hampson and the State Government interest subsidy scheme helped.

“We now have a debt we can service, based on the school building levy. There’s a 20-year loan we have to pay off and it has worked well so far.”

Fr Kevin: “Working within the guidelines, the hall had a full upgrade to meet the needs of the school and the parish. It was lighter, better ventilated and had a new entrance. From one of the ugliest structures in Christendom, it turned out at the end of the day to be a pleasing space.”

Sean: “The entire project cost $1.8 million. The construction was funded through the Archdiocesan School Building Levy of $252 per family per year. The Catholic Education Office also provided a grant of $402,000 and the NSW State Government interest subsidy also helps to reduce the repayments the parish needs to make over 20 years. From a staff point of view, there’s been a lift in morale. Parents have a sense of pride that this is their community, and we are actively involved in achieving all of this. Everyone has been involved. Last year, parents generated $35,000 on top of fees for school resources.”

Fr Kevin: “The best sign that the parish is happy is that I get no complaints. Parishioners are obviously quite proud of the new work. Parents are demanding and that’s good. It’s all for the kids. It’s a whole partnership. Everyone is bubbling over. They seem to be saying: ‘Look at what we can do now’.”