MacKillop, St Mary’s Catholic schools in Mackay unveil major renovations

Ceremonies blessed the opening of new classrooms, playgrounds and outdoor play areas during celebrations of 200 years of Catholic Education.

Two Mackay schools have officially opened their major refurbishments with blessing ceremonies during a milestone week in Catholic education.

MacKillop Catholic Primary School acting principal Helen Privett said the improvements were a needed facelift in light of the school’s 25th anniversary.

They included building entries to the administration and library buildings, refurbishing teaching spaces, and creating a new lunch, canteen, learning support room, Prep playground, amenities and outdoor learning areas.

Parish administrator Father James Ezeocha conducted the blessing ceremony of the redeveloped facilities, with students, families and the community joining the celebrations.

“We’re thrilled that we can finally bless the new facilities,” Ms Privett said.

“It’s made a huge difference to the overall appearance of our school and it’s uplifted our spirits.”

Also blessing improvements during a week marking 200 years of Catholic education in Australia was St Mary’s Catholic Primary School.

Father Don White performed the ceremony.

Principal Wesley Rose said he thanked the school community for its flexibility during the redevelopment providing “state of the art” teaching and learning facilities.

The project delivered new classrooms, an outdoor learning hub, an Early Year precinct for Prep and Year 1, upgraded undercover pathways and refurbished teaching spaces.

Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton director Leesa Jeffcoat officially opened the facilities at both schools.

Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton director Leesa Jeffcoat at the blessing of the Catherine McAuley College building site along Nebo Rd in Mackay. Picture: Heidi Petith

Miss Jeffcoat said the refurbishments allowed the schools to continue providing faith-based learning and thanked the schools’ communities for their contributions.

She said Catholic Education Week — celebrated this year at St Patrick’s Church in Mackay instead of St Joseph’s Cathedral in Rockhampton — was a “wonderful opportunity” to focus on Catholic schools’ achievements.

“It is a time to celebrate the uniqueness of each of our school communities from our small rural schools to our larger ones on the coast,” Miss Jeffcoat said.

She also attended the blessing of Mackay’s newest high school, Catherine McCauley College where she paid homage to its namesake, a Dublin “trailblazer” and “remarkable woman”.