The Our Lady of Sion convent and school campus site in Sale in regional Victoria is set to be revitalised after plans were approved for a $40 million investment in one of the largest education projects ever undertaken in the Sale Diocese. Source: Catholic Education Sale.
The announcement follows more than four years of consultation and planning for the site as the Sale Diocese and Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Ltd worked with the community and heritage experts on plans to restore the heritage-listed buildings and rejuvenate the entire site for 21st-century education use.
The redevelopment will deliver three distinct projects, creating a state-of-the-art education precinct. The projects include:
- A complex restoration and preservation of the heritage-listed convent building
- Construction of a purpose-built primary school facility
- Incorporation of a separate education professional learning and leadership development centre to be known as the Ratisbonne Leadership Centre
The preservation and revitalisation of this much-loved Sale landmark has been recognised as a heritage outcome that acknowledges the history and enhances the significance of the place.
St Thomas’ Primary School will move into a state-of-the art primary school facility on the site. It will be re-named Our Lady of Sion Catholic Primary School to honour the rich history of the Sisters of Sion.
A strong link to St Thomas will be maintained with a $12.5 million purpose-built Learning Neighbourhood to be known as the St Thomas Centre. The new building has been made possible with the support of a $3.6 million Capital Grant from the federal Government.
The Ratisbonne Leadership Centre will occupy the top floor of the convent building, which will be refurbished and re-purposed as a specialised facility to deliver teacher and school leader professional learning programs to support Catholic schools across the Sale Diocese.
“The preservation and revitalisation of this much-loved Sale landmark not only protects our heritage, but as custodians of the site we have been given the opportunity to create a beautiful new place of learning for our young people that will enable them to grow in their love of Jesus in an enriching environment,” Sale Bishop Greg Bennet said.
FULL STORY
Major redevelopment announced for Our Lady of Sion convent and precinct (Catholic Education Sale)
