Soil Blessed For New College

San Damiano College Soil Blessing
Members of the San Damiano College community in Yarrabilba attending ceremony to bless the soil as an important step for future learning (Photo by Karl Brien)

Journey Continues With Blessing Of The Soil At San Damiano College

The site of Yarrabilba’s new Catholic school, San Damiano College, has been blessed by Bishop Ken Howell at a small COVID-safe gathering.
The Blessing of the Soil celebration is an important step in the college’s journey to opening in January 2021.
Following an Acknowledgement of Country, Bishop Howell blessed the soil on which the school is currently being constructed, noting that it is now “holy ground” on which the important business of educating young people would soon begin.
“Blessing the soil means we can say this college is a place where God speaks and listens to us,” he said.

San Damiano College Soil Blessing
Bishop Ken Howell acknowledging college soil is now ‘holy ground’ with San Damiano’s Foundation Principal Peter Edwards

When completed the college, located on 5.8 hectares within a broader 32 hectare educational and sporting precinct will offer students from Years 7- 12 a Catholic education steeped in a rich Franciscan tradition.
Foundation Principal Peter Edwards said it was wonderful to have the college’s first enrolled foundation student, Jack Broom, and his mother, Sonia, at the celebration, as excitement builds ahead of the opening of the college in 2021. He said the college will be a place where students grow to know themselves and develop their unique talents and gifts.

San Damiano College Soil Blessing
First enrolled Foundation Student, Jack Broom, and his mother, Sonia

“San Damiano College will be a welcoming community where all families will have access to a high-quality, affordable, Catholic education in a well-resourced and technology-rich secondary college,” he said.
He said like Jack, currently in Year 6 at St Clare’s Primary School, Yarrabilba, every student who attends San Damiano will not just be another face in a crowd.
“Our students will flourish in an environment rich in connection to creation in all its forms as our dedicated staff support their wellbeing, encouraging them to develop and thrive during this critical time in their lives,” he said.

San Damiano College Soil Blessing

San Damiano College will open with Year 7 students in 2021 and will then add one Year level each year until it reaches Year 12. A small number of places remains available for 2021 and applications may be lodged online at sophiacollege.qld.edu.au.

Enrolment interviews are being conducted at the school’s pre-opening office, located in The Markets Shopping Centre, Yarrabilba.

(Photos & Words by Karl Brien BCE)