Eileen O’Connor Catholic College at Lewisham, Archdiocese of Sydney’s only school which offers a learning environment specifically for students with moderate intellectual disability in a Catholic environment, has completed stage two of their building development plan with the construction of a new primary building and playground area.

Eileen O’Connor Catholic College Principal Gail Story opens the college’s brand new building.

Plans to increase the size of the College Campus and develop new sites have been in the works since the school’s inception. Stage two saw the development of a new primary building completed, allowing the primary and secondary age students separate to two distinct learning areas and for the school to continue to grow.

Not only is the new building wonderful to see from the outside, inside the new learning space was specifically designed to suit the needs of the school, equipped with state-of-the-art education tools and a new kitchen area.

- Advertisement -

The schools campus principal Gail Story, who was recently nominated as one of NSW’s Top Teachers, said that staff and students were very happy with the new building, saying it was fantastic to see the plans come to fruition.

“It’s fantastic to be able to move into the new building,” said Gail. “The kids are very excited by it, it’s wonderful to see inside and out.”

Primary teacher Melinda Batch taking her students into their new classroom.

“It’s fantastic to be able to move into the new building,” said Gail. “The kids are very excited by it, it’s wonderful to see inside and out.”

The building officially opened on Monday 1 June after 18 months of work. Students and staff celebrated the opening with a blessing from Parish Administrator Fr Sam and a procession into the new building. The primary students were given a guard of honour from the secondary students as they made their way for the first time into the new building.

Mrs Story said she was moved to receive handwritten letters from many of the primary school children thanking her and her team for the new building.

“Dear Mrs Story, thank you for our classroom, thank you for the slide and basketball hoop. From Callum.”

“Thank you for the air conditioning and the kitchen. Thank you for the opening ceremony when the seniors blew the bubbles. From Anthony”

The building’s completion means that the college will now start preparations for stage three of the project, which will see new developments, classrooms and administration areas and give the school street front accessibility.

Check out more photos from the schools opening below.