Good Shepherd Primary School, Amaroo, has celebrated the completion and opening of twelve new classrooms and breakout spaces, with a special Liturgy and blessing.

The new buildings were made possible with a generous grant of one million dollars from the Australian Government and financial support from the Good Shepherd Community Council and the Catholic Education Office.

Archbishop Christopher Prowse officially opened and blessed the new buildings. Special guests in attendance included: Chair of the Catholic Education Commission, Dr Patrick McArdle; Catholic Education Director, Ross Fox; Senator, the Hon Zed Seselja; ACT Legislative Assembly Members, Michael Pettersson MLA, Leanne Castley MLA and James Milligan MLA; Chair of the ACT Block Grant Authority, Graham Humphries; Managing Director Total Project Constructions, Troy Magyar; and Chairperson of the Good Shepherd Community Council, Erin Burrows.

Special guests, Sister Genny Ryan and Mrs Joan Jones, a former staff member, were honoured at the event. The two new buildings were named after them in acknowledgement of their long-standing commitment to Good Shepherd and Catholic Education. Sister Genny recalled stories of carrying furniture into classrooms back when the school was officially opened.

Archbishop Christopher, accompanied by the Official Party, blessed the facilities. A commemorative plaque was then unveiled by Director Ross Fox, Senator, the Hon Zed Seselja, Principal David Austin, Sister Genny Ryan and Mrs Joan Jones.

The Good Shepherd school choir performed songs throughout the event.

“For the past five years it has felt as if we have been teaching and learning in the middle of a building site,” said Principal David Austin. “The new extensions will help to serve Good Shepherd’s growing enrolments and the renovation and redesign of every single classroom caters to 21st century learning,” he said.

Mr Austin said they were incredibly proud of the classrooms, buildings and learning spaces at Good Shepherd. “It was wonderful to have Archbishop Christopher officially bless and open these facilities for our current students and future generations.”

“A huge thank you to all who attended and to our school choir for their outstanding performance. It truly was a special occasion,” he said.