After 16 years of working side by side to educate Catholic students of Liverpool, All Saints Girls and All Saints Boys have merged, starting with a school Mass on 19 February.
More than 1000 students, teachers and staff gathered at St Mary’s Cathedral for the Mass celebrated by Bishop Terry Brady, auxiliary bishop of Sydney, and Fr Remy Lam Son Bui, former parish priest of Liverpool.
Principal Stephen Gough said the merger also reflected the coming together of the religious orders which established the respective schools: the Sisters of Charity and the Patrician Brothers.
The influence of those congregations “will continue to be woven throughout the spirit of our community because they are a central part of our history”, he said.
He named several highlights from the Mass, including performances from the newly-formed school choir led by the Catholic Schools and Performing Arts, the commissioning of student leaders, blessing of college houses and banners, and the first school photo.
“Overall the Mass provided a wonderful start to the college year,” he said.
Mr Gough also spoke about the new motto for the college, which teaches students from Years 7-10.
“Our new college motto of being a people Inspired by Christ is a true reflection of whom we aspire to be: a people of hope, of forgiveness, a people of love… while it is important to always remember our origins it is even more important to reflect on who we have become by the grace of God.”