Catholic Education releases plans for new $30m St Francis of Assisi School at Renmark amid huge works plan for SA campuses

Designs have been released for a $30m regional Catholic secondary school, amid plans for a huge overhaul of campuses across South Australia.

An artist's impression of the new St Francis of Assisi College in Renmark. Picture: Swanbury Penglase Architects

Work is expected to start next month on a $30m Catholic secondary school in Renmark, to be known as St Francis of Assisi College.

It comes as the institution rolls out another $28m worth of works across its South Australian school network.

Catholic Education has released new artist’s impressions of the Renmark campus after lodging its plans with the Riverland Regional Assessment Panel.

The year 7 to 12 school, planned for former horticultural land on Twentyfirst Street, is the Riverland’s first Catholic secondary campus and will open next year.

Catholic Education had previously flagged spending $19.5m on the development, but its Port Pirie Diocese director Nichii Mardon said it was now expected to cost $29.7m.

The extra money has been set aside for extra landscaping, outdoor recreation and gathering spaces and a school gymnasium.

Director Catholic Education Port Pirie Diocese Nichii Mardon. Picture: Catholic Education SA

Principal Nathan Hayes said St Francis of Assisi would feature a 1400sq m “productive garden and orchard”.

“We’re excited about exploring how we can introduce a paddock to plate approach as part of our food and hospitality programs,” Mr Hayes said.

He said this was part of a commitment to sustainable and responsible stewardship of the earth.

“Given the strong connection to and reliance on the local environment for lifestyle, livelihood and leisure in the Riverland region, the college focus on integral ecology will underpin everything,” he said.

The school will eventually accommodate 360 students, beginning with 100 in years 7 and 8 when it opens next year.

The development’s first stage includes classrooms for students in years 7-9, an administration area, specialist learning and design technology buildings, playing field, hard court play area and carpark.

Stage 2, with classrooms for students in years 10-12 and an art and science building will open in 2024 and the third stage will see the gymnasium completed.

Up to 60 people will help build the new college and within five years of its opening, about 35 full-time-equivalent staff will work there.

Catholic Education is also about to open a new $10m Xavier College campus in Two Wells, to cater for Reception to year 6 students and later be expanded to include secondary classes.

It is upgrading St Joseph’s School campuses at Clare, Murray Bridge and Peterborough, and St Mary MacKillop School in Wallaroo to offer schooling up to year 9.

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