Bishop Bill Wright blesses new classroom at St Joseph's Primary School Wingham

“It’s a really significant occasion for Catholic schools when our Bishop comes and recognises what we do,” school principal, Emma Timmins said.

Bishop Wright visited to officially open and bless the new kindergarten classroom, designed by ex-Wingham architects Austin McFarland and built by Wingham company Altez Building Contractors.

Both Austin McFarland and Altez Building Contractors had previously designed and built the school’s hall and library in previous years.

Joining Bishop Wright as special guests were director of Catholic schools Dr Michael Slattery, assistant director Tony Kelly, principal of St Clare’s High School, Taree Peter Nicholls, parish priests Father George and Father James, Terry Cross (Altez Building Contrators) and Carolyn McFarland (Austin McFarland), and Josephite nun Sister Catherine.

The ceremony began with a liturgy in the school hall presided over by Bishop Wright, with participation by the students with a number of musical acts and readings. 

Following the liturgy Bishop Wright officially opened the classroom, blessing both it and the people attending.

“Bishops have all sorts of things,” Bishop Wright told the gathered school community.

“I’m at this end of education this morning opening a kindergarten classroom. This afternoon I’m attending a graduation of people who’ve done post graduate studies in theology. I leave it to you to decide which is more important in the life of people - the start or the higher studies.

“But I assure you I probably won’t enjoy the graduation as I have this morning. And I look forward to planting a tree, which I haven’t done in a while, and laying a brick,” Bishop Wright said.

Bishop Wright and  Dr Slattery then symbolically planted a tree outside the room, and laid the first foundational brick in the P&F pathway.

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The new bright and airy classroom was opened up for a tour, after which special guests and parents were invited to have morning tea.

“The room is architecturally designed to let in the natural light, and to be a functional space to support learning of the students,” Mrs Timmins said.

“There’s an indoor/outdoor flow so that they can go outside and still have outdoor learning as well as inside.

“Also, we built upon the original foundations of the convent, so inside the internal brick wall is still there and exposed, so there’s that connection between the environment and the learning space.”