9 October 2023

The community at St Francis de Sales Catholic Primary School, Lynbrook, has celebrated the opening of the new multipurpose building with a blessing by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli.

The works comprised a new hall featuring a large-volume gymnasium and basketball court, music classroom, music practice and storage space, meeting room, new school kitchen, multipurpose stage area and associated storage, accessible ramps and student amenities.

Principal Christine White paid tribute to the school’s inaugural principal, Des Dalton, for his leadership and vision in the first seven years of the school. ‘With careful nurturing, the school has steadily grown and flourished since it first opened, and the school blossoms today because of the solid foundation laid by great leaders’, she said. ‘His leadership, passion, professionalism and efforts in the first years of the school have been instrumental in the outstanding school we all enjoy today.’

Next to the multipurpose hall is a new garden with a sculpture to capture the school’s vision of being a faith community animated by love. Intertwined circles within a St Francis de Sales cross represent the community – past, present and future – and the relationships with one another and our story within the Catholic faith.

Before blessing the community and the new facilities, Archbishop Peter challenged the students to think about the way light plays an important part in their lives. ‘To be the light of the world, as Jesus asks of us, and to be that light for others is a very beautiful thing’, said the Archbishop in his homily. ‘How can your light shine for those around you?’

Guests at the opening included Dr Edward Simons, Executive Director of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS), Gary Maas MP, state member for Narre Warren South, Cassandra Fernando MP, federal member for Holt, Parish Priest Fr Fabian Smith, and representatives from architect Baldasso Cortese and builder FIMMA Constructions.