February 2016
Education
Staff and students at St Benedict’s School, Khandallah, watched with pride as Cardinal John Dew opened and blessed their two new ‘Tui Block’ classrooms last December. The new classrooms are a result from a successful roll growth application some years ago and combined hard work of the Archdiocese, St Benedict’s School Board of Trustees and St Benedict’s School staff, said Principal Dave Lamont.
‘The opening was a wonderful occasion and it was fantastic to have Cardinal John here to bless and open our new Tui Block building, he said. ‘A good crowd joined us to celebrate including former student, Hon Chris Finlayson; local MP, Hon Peter Dunne; Vicar for Education, Jenny Gordon; former principal, Natalie Brockie; St Patrick’s College Rector, Neil Swindells; and Brigidine Sisters, Sr Cyprian and Sr Anne. Sr Cyprian was also present at the opening of St Benedict’s School in 1952.’
The classrooms provide two modern-learning spaces for the students and landscaping in 2016 will involve students contributing to the outside area.
‘As a part of the construction of the classrooms on site we were successful in being accepted into the Schoolgen programme. This gave us 4KW of solar panels for the roof that will generate power for the school for years to come. This programme also provides access to science and technology resources and personnel to enhance curriculum areas throughout the school.
‘For the opening we commissioned a mural from Yr 8 student, Tyler Florence, which will be proudly displayed on the Tui Block for many years.’