Media Alert  |  Catholic Education SA  |  January 28 2022

Catholic schools open and ready  for the 2022 school year

Catholic schools across the State are ready to welcome their biggest intake of students when the school year commences on Wednesday February 2.

In a year of expansion and growth for Catholic Education SA, more than 48,000 students will be educated at 103 Catholic schools, including two brand new schools.

Catholic Education SA’s first fee-free school, Compass Catholic Community at Davoren Park, will provide a unique learning community for 17 to 24 year olds who have not thrived in mainstream schools.

St Francis of Assisi College, the first Catholic secondary College in the Riverland, will provide a pathway for the four existing Catholic primary schools in the region.

The Years 7 to 12 secondary college at Renmark is complete and ready to open its doors to its inaugural Year 7 and Year 8 classes on February 2. The College will offer an additional year level annually until it expands to Year 12 by 2026.

The Renmark college is part of Catholic Education SA’s expansion of schooling for regional families. Four other regional schools are expanding from their current Reception to Year 6 status to offer Reception to Year 9 from 2022: ·

• St Mary MacKillop School, Wallaroo ·
• St Joseph’s School, Peterborough ·
• St Joseph’s School, Clare ·
• St Joseph’s School, Murray Bridge.

COVID-safe measures and processes are in place for students and staff to come back to school safely and to minimise the impact on learning.

“Whether starting in class or online, we are ready for the best possible start to the school year, and we are committed to ensuring that students can continue to thrive in our Catholic schools”, said Dr Neil McGoran, Director, Catholic Education South Australia.

“In particular we warmly welcome more than 4000 children who will be experiencing their first ever day of school.”

More comments from Dr Neil McGoran about the start of the 2022 school year can be found here.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
Principals, students and sites are available for photos.
Principals of new schools are available for interview.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jenny Brinkworth, Director, Catholic Communications P: 0438 727 677
Corrin Wakely-Young  Communications Officer – Catholic Education SA  P: 0415 510 224