Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle to build new school in Medowie
The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, and its Catholic Schools Office announce the acquisition of a site for the building of a new school in Medowie.
The location for the proposed new school is adjacent to Pacific Dunes Golf Course on Medowie Road, providing easy access for families located around the Port Stephens area including Medowie, Raymond Terrace, Salt Ash and Nelson Bay. The site area is 10 hectares, or 25 acres in size.
Vice Chancellor of Administration for the Diocese, Sean Scanlon said the acquisition of the Medowie site showed the Diocese’s ongoing commitment to providing local parents with the best options for their children’s education:
“I am excited to see the plans for this site evolve as we begin the formal development process. At this stage, we are looking to determine how exactly the site will be developed. This could, in time, include both primary and secondary schools co-located onsite, however we are still in the feasibility process.”
“The Port Stephens local government area is a fast growing locality, and with the upcoming airport and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) expansion and ongoing development, it’s important we have a regional school presence in the area.” Mr Scanlon said.
Catholic Schools Office Director, Ray Collins said while a projected timeframe for building is yet to be finalised, the Diocese and Catholic Schools Office intends to begin the formal planning process over the coming months:
“Local parents have raised the issue of a new school in the Raymond Terrace to Nelson Bay area for some time. As a Diocese we have listened - completing demographic studies and participating in ongoing consultation to best understand what this new school may provide to these communities.”
“We recognise there is a definite need in this area for additional Catholic schooling opportunities – particularly to help reduce some of the travel time our current students experience getting to and from school each day.” Mr Collins said.
Currently the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle has 44 primary and 11 secondary schools throughout the region, with an additional primary school development at Chisholm – St Aloysius – due for completion in late 2014.
For more information, please contact Communications Manager Kate Bennett, on
0419 263 901. Read the media release from Port Stephens Council here.
