A new Catholic primary school is coming to Clyde after the Bishop of Sale announced that it will be named after the Blessed Carlo Acutis who will be canonised in 2025.
This was done in partnership with the St Thomas the Apostle Parish and the Bishop, Most Reverend Greg Bennet, making it the third Catholic primary school within the Parish.
The first stage of the school is planned to open in 2027.
The site, at 121-123 Bellavita Avenue in Clyde was visited by parish priest Very Reverend Denis O’Bryan EV was enthusiastic about the construction.
“The naming of the school after Blessed Carlo Acutis – a young Italian gamer and computer programmer known for his acts of kindness and devotion to the Eucharist will set the charism of the school for future generations,” he said.
Father Denis was accompanied by the Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Sale Paul Velten and DOSCEL General Manager of Infrastructure and Support Services Dermot Cannon.
“Blessed Carlo, who passed away from leukemia at the age of 15, utilised his media skills to work on projects to share the faith with a younger audience, embodying the values of compassion and dedication,” Father Denis said.
Mr Velten said that new Catholic primary schools are needed in the rapidly growing areas of Clyde and Clyde North to cater for families seeking Catholic education for their children.
“The existing St Thomas the Apostle Primary School at Cranbourne East has experienced significant demand with some 700 student enrolments,” he said.
“Our second Catholic primary school in the Parish – St Josephine Bakhita at Clyde North has just been completed and set to open in January 2025 to serve the eastern part of the parish.”
On 27 July 2024, Victorian Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Minister for Medical Research, Hon. Ben Carroll MP confirmed the application under the Victorian Government Capital Funding Program 2023-2027 for $6 million.
The first stage of the construction will include eight general learning areas, specialist spaces, administration, site works and building services related to a green field site.
Construction is planned to begin this year and is expected to be completed in 2026, with an opening date set for 2027.
Furthermore, Mr Velten added that the development of new schools is an example of the DOSCEL and the Parish community’s commitment to investing in infrastructure that “provides a nurturing and faith-filled environment”.
