More room for learning

Holy Eucharist Primary School, school captains Edison and Emma outside the new school building with deputy principal Ane-Marie Conte, and principal Michael Bonnici. (Damjan Janevski) 410412_04

Holy Eucharist Primary School in St Albans celebrated the opening of its new $4.7 million building on May 30, marking a significant milestone for the school which has experienced substantial growth in recent years.

Principal Michael Bonnici initiated the project back in January 2021, reaching out to St Albans MP Natalie Suleyman and then Education Minister James Merlino for support in securing funding.

“Our enrolments have grown from 372 students in 2015 to 565 students and 75 staff in 2024,” Mr Bonnici said.

In 2021, Ms Suleyman called to announce that the school had successfully secured a $2 million grant. The school itself contributed an additional $2.7 million to fund the construction of a building featuring eight new classrooms. The new building also features maker spaces, a teacher planning room, a new toilet block, PE storage room, and a learning deck.

The official opening was attended by Ms Suleyman, who formally opened the building, and Melbourne’s Auxiliary Bishop, Martin Ashe, who blessed the new facilities.

“We want our students to embrace the classrooms as their own where they are able to challenge themselves and grow as leaders for tomorrow. My vision is that all staff can use these rooms to attend to all the students’ learning needs and to achieve the best learning outcomes,” Mr Bonnici said.