Catholic Schools Plan: Strong Foundations for a Bright Future
In the year since Bishop Richard Gagnon announced the Catholic Schools Plan consisting of a major rebuild and modernizing of the learning environments and seismic upgrading of Saint Andrew’s Regional High School, St. Patrick’s Elementary School and St. Joseph’s Victoria Elementary School, much has taken place.
St. Joseph’s School will be doubled in capacity to accommodate growth. St. Andrew’s Elementary School downtown will be relocated so that staff and students will be accommodated at either the expanded St. Joseph’s school or the upgraded St. Patrick’s school. Parts of St. Patrick and St. Andrew’s Regional High School will be demolished to allow new construction and a regulation size sport’s field will be built at the High School.
All students at St. Andrew’s Elementary School are guaranteed admission to either St. Joseph’s or St. Patrick’s Elementary Schools at the choice of the family. This guarantee will be effective when students must be relocated from the present St. Andrew’s Elementary School Site.
Island Catholic Schools has been studying the question of what grades should be housed at the elementary schools and which at the high school. Views have been sought from parents, teachers, administrators and from some students. The decision is complex with many variables to be considered, not least of which is finances. The Board of Directors has received presentations representing the often competing views of various groups and interests. Nonetheless, the Board expects to make a decision before the end of the current school year (June, 2011).
This project requires expenditure in excess of $20 million. Last fall the Bishop’s Appeal was launched to fund a number of diocesan projects that fall within the 2010 -2015 Diocesan Pastoral Plan. This Appeal will be an annual event. A major element of the Pastoral Plan is Catholic schooling. To that end, approximately $400,000 has been allocated to get the Catholic Schools Plan underway.
Island Catholic Schools have employed the services of a project management firm, City Spaces, to oversee the initial phases leading to construction (including consultation and needs assessment).
If all goes as intended, the new and expanded St. Joseph’s will be ready by January, 2014, St. Patrick’s by March, 2014 and St. Andrew’s Regional High School by September, 2014. In any major project the unexpected may occur and this schedule may have to be adjusted to accommodate unforeseen circumstances. However, we remain hope-filled and dedicated to the Catholic Schools Plan as we build Strong Foundations for a Bright Future.
For Information Contact
Joseph Colistro
Superintendent of Schools
Island Catholic Schools
Phone: 250-727-6893
Email: jcolistro@cisdv.bc.ca
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