Students of one of the fastest growing Catholic schools in one of South West Sydney’s fastest growing regions will benefit from more than $30 million worth of new facilities, after the Bishop of Wollongong, Most Rev Brian Mascord, officially celebrated the blessing and opening of the facilities at St Francis Catholic College, Edmondson Park, on Friday 1 July 2022.

The new facilities include 18 new general learning areas; purpose-built technologies, science, creative and performing arts facilities; and a 1700-seat multi-purpose hall, which doubles as an indoor all-weather playground space complete with two indoor sports courts for basketball, netball, or volleyball.

College principal, Simon Abernethy, said the new facilities are critical to ensuring families in Edmondson Park and its surrounds have the opportunity to choose the school that’s right for them and their children.

“Our new facilities have transformed the way we teach and learn and created many more opportunities for the wider Edmondson Park community to come together,” he said. “We are an incredibly diverse community, offering families of all backgrounds a welcoming and inclusive experience, inspired by the model of Jesus.”

“We have experienced phenomenal growth since we opened our doors,” said Mr Abernethy. “We continue to see high demand from Catholic families, as well as families from other faith backgrounds and those who hold no religious beliefs."

"Families choose St Francis because we share the same values they’re teaching at home, including courtesy, compassion,  honesty and reliability, as well as the value of hard work" — Simon Abernathy, Principal St Francis Catholic College

Bishop Brian was joined by Peter Hill – Director of Schools, Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW); members of the CEDoW Leadership Team; Peter Turner - Former Director of Schools, CEDoW; and Rev Bosco Son SVD - Parish Priest of Mary Mother of the Church Catholic Parish, Macquarie Fields. 

Mr Hill said the new buildings are not just an investment in the education of the students at St Francis College, but also represent a financial investment in the Edmondson Park school community. 

“The opening and blessing of the facilities are not only an opportunity to celebrate the completion of these fantastic works but also an opportunity to look towards the future that each student is creating within its four walls,” he said. 

“I trust these facilities will always be places where the good news message of Jesus is heard, seen and lived out. A place where  students  will be inspired to learn and grow and strive to achieve their very best while  listening  to the whisperings of God in their hearts.” 

St Francis was founded in 2017 with just 178 students from Kindergarten to Year 7 and has since grown to 1250 students from Kindergarten to Year 12.