Exciting times ahead for

St. Joseph's College, Echuca

Exciting times ahead for St. Joseph's College Echuca

 

St. Joseph’s College is excited to announce the purchase of land at 66 Stratton Road for the purpose of establishing a second campus. The demand for Catholic secondary education in Echuca has continued to grow, and with the St Joseph’s Dickson Street Site at capacity, the need was clear.

 

In the official announcement of the land purchase Sr. Louise Cleary, Chairperson of the Kildare Education Ministries Board said, “Since its establishment in 1886 St Joseph’s College has been known as an inclusive school offering quality Catholic education appropriate for the times. The new campus is an exciting educational venture that will enhance contemporary learning and provide for the growing number of students. The Board is confident that the master planning underway will lead to facilities and educational provision on both campuses that will enrich St Joseph’s as a Kildare Ministries school in the Brigidine tradition.”

 

The decision to expand was announced in late 2018 and since then there has been engagement and consultation with staff, parents and students regarding their priorities as planning proceeds for this exciting move forward.  The commitment to the new site (80 Acres) on the corner of Stratton Mount Terrick Roads now gives specific direction to the development of plans for future facilities. These plans include a multi-million dollar upgrade of the Dickson St. facilities as well as the commissioning of a state of the art, sustainable and custom designed new campus; two complex projects that it is hoped will come to fruition over the next 6 – 8 years.

 

“In a world that is both enabled and distracted by technology, the opening of a second campus that allows our students to connect to the community and environment is both brave and necessary,” College Principal Mr Delaney, said. “This announcement continues the courageous journey of the Brigidine Sisters who founded St. Joseph’s College, Echuca.  From the very beginning, our College story has been one of commitment and willingness to break new ground.”  St. Joseph’s College is continuing to grow with its local community by engaging with it, immersing itself in it, and responding to it according to its mission. It will have the space to welcome those who wish to come and share in what it offers; the opportunity to challenge and empower students to be creative and critical thinkers who act with Strength and Kindliness in the Gospel Tradition.

 

In delivering the news to the College Community, Principal Michael Delaney was clear,  “We remain one Catholic learning community in the Brigidine Tradition: St. Joseph’s College, Echuca. Our two campuses, only 4km apart will exist in harmony and balance, accessible and complementary, strong and kind: two siblings in close relationship”  He went on to say: “The second site, with ease of access to Echuca, Moama and the current Dickson St site, is ideally placed to cater for future growth and community needs.   The combined facilities will provide contemporary learning & teaching spaces which will continue to provide quality Catholic secondary education in the Brigidine tradition to the students entrusted to our care.”

 

Existing Site Upgrade

  • Long Term Senior Campus (10-12)
  • Multi Million dollar Master Plan
  • Upgrading all spaces
  • Rejuvenation of our Heritage Buildings
  • Reclamation of yard space

Core New Site Benefits

  • Long Term Junior Campus (7-9)
  • Enhanced educational opportunities for our students
  • 4kms from current site
  • Innovative facilities
  • Accessible to both Echuca, Moama and current Campus
  • Opportunities for bike tracks and free space
  • Minimal or no impact by or on residential traffic
  • Free of town development constraints
  • Accommodate growth of the town

 

From all of us at Kildare Ministries, we would like to wish all at St. Joseph's College and the wider community, the very best of everything in this exciting time of growth and expansion.