SA Commission for Catholic Schools plans huge expansion
New schools in the south and north and bigger campuses at five existing locations are among an ambitious five-year plan by South Australia’s Catholic education bosses.
Education
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Catholic Education SA will build three new schools, expand five campuses and open two new early learning centres in an ambitious five-year plan.
It has also put 20 new preschools and a horticultural training centre on the radar as it drives student growth.
The strategy for 2022-27 was announced by chairman of the SA Commission for Catholic Schools Denis Ralph on Wednesday night.
Annual fee reductions of between $100 and $500 during the Covid-19 period had fuelled enrolments, with the cuts putting a Catholic education in reach of many more families, he said.
A mid-year intake of reception students had also been extremely successful.
The new schools will help Catholic Education reach its target of increasing student numbers from 48,000 now to 54,000 by 2027.
Professor Ralph said it was too early to estimate a total cost, with several sites still to be identified and purchased, but it would follow $400m in capital expansions over the past four years. Hundreds of new jobs would also be created, adding to the existing 9000-strong workforce.
The plan includes one new school in the southern suburbs, probably in the Bedford Park district, for reception to year 12. Adelaide’s north would get a new school, initially for reception to year 6, with the Riverlea housing development in Buckland Park a possible but not definite location.
There would also be a new special school for children with disabilities.
Prof Ralph said Xavier College in Two Wells, which opened in 2021, would be expanded to accommodate 1000 students from reception to year 12, up from the 400 there now in years R-8.
Work is already in progress to build a new Findon Rd campus of Nazareth Catholic College to cater for years 11 and 12.
An expansion at Cardijn College will include a senior campus and sports facilities in Noarlunga Downs and expansion of the Galilee Aldinga campus to middle and senior year levels.
One western suburbs school will get an expanded or satellite campus.
Beyond 2027, there were embryonic discussions on a horticultural centre in the Gawler district.
“We can’t build them fast enough,” Prof Ralph said.
“Families are coming from a broader range, our accessibility has been strengthened because we have reduced fees. That has made a big difference.
“Families are seeking the quality of our educational outcomes and our focus on values and standards.”
The Catholic sector has received $34m over the past four years in state government grants. The grants, which began from a 2017 allocation by the former Labor government and increased under the Liberals, were the first time the state has provided capital funds to the sector.
It also has received $28m from the federal government.
Those grants underpinned borrowing capacity with the resulting loans as well as savings, donations and fees getting the capital funds to $400m for the 2018-22 plans.
Among new sites built was McAuley Community School, which opened in 2020 and now has 409 students – including Jordan, Maisie, Albie, Lavina and Ruby who started reception this week.
The commission is now calling on both sides of politics to commit to further grants at next month’s state election to help fund its 2022-27 plans.
The commission was “delighted” by the $1.4bn government school capital program, Prof Ralph said.
But it was convinced there was demand for places in Catholic schools for the children of parents who paid taxes like everyone else.
“We are hopeful and confident that the government can see what we have done and what we are planning to do will be for the benefit of the whole state,” Prof Ralph said.
At an event to launch the strategy, Premier Steven Marshall and Education Minister John Gardner promised the capital grants’ program would continue.
Further announcements would be made before the election, they said.
Opposition education spokesman Blair Boyer promised if Labor was elected a minimum $5.5m a year would be provided and he would consider increasing the amount.
Mr Marshall promised a 50 per cent increase to $1.5m in funding to support Catholic school bus programs - a pledge immediately matched by Mr Boyer.
Prof Ralph welcomed that increase but said Catholic Education wanted commitments on capital grants of $14m next budget, rising through the forward estimates to an ongoing $20m a year.
Initiating a statewide campaign, Prof Ralph said: “We will not be relaxed to hear vague promises of ‘we’ll have a look at it, we’ll do something’ ”.
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