Celeste Hastings
A major building project over several years at Holy Cross School, Miramar, which culminated in a blessing ceremony last month, has been a learning experience for pupils.
On a calm, sunny Sunday 26 March Archbishop John Dew blessed the classrooms and new library. The school’s cultural group performed, helium balloons were released, photo boards were displayed and classrooms were visited, which provided a great opportunity for people to share their memories.
The building project has involved the ongoing development of school buildings and has taken place over a number of years. Some classrooms have been remodelled, some moved onto the site from elsewhere and some built from scratch. The library itself, the creative design of architect, Les Clapcott, has been built from scratch but an old classroom prefab was split in two and attached to either side.
The library has been named the ‘Fitzgibbon Library’ after Holy Cross parish priest, Fr Peter Fitzgibbon, a great supporter of the school who has worked tirelessly to ensure the students have the facilities they deserve.
While the Catholic School’s Board has paid for most of the building project, it has involved the entire community with the school and parish groups actively involved in financing and completing the extras agreed to by the school.
The school has tried to involve the students in the project as much as possible. The students have talked with builders, observed and discussed safety measures used by different tradespeople; they even chose the colours and floor coverings in some classrooms. A number of students helped at working bees and ended up writing a book about the building process. This book will take pride of place in the Fitzgibbon Library.
The gathering on Sunday was not just about the buildings – it celebrated the learning community and cultures who make up Holy Cross School. It brought together past and present families, teachers, parishioners and friends.
All that remains to be done now is the building of a new administration area. It is hoped that plans for this will be underway soon.
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