- Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Primary School (Cheltenham)
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Our Lady of the Assumption Location Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia Information Type Semi-private Catholic Established 1952 (parish & primary)
1958 (primary separate from the parish)Principal Leonie Young Enrolment 440~ Campus Cheltenham, Victoria Colour(s) Blue, Red, Gold and Green
Website http://www.olacheltenham.catholic.edu.au/ (school) Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Primary School (also known as O.L.A.) is a Catholic primary school located in Cheltenham, Victoria, 18 kilometres south-east from the Melbourne CBD. Originally opening in 1952 as a Catholic Parish Primary, the school later separated in 1958 from the Parish. O.L.A. is the only Catholic school in the suburb of Cheltenham.[1]
Contents
History
1952 - Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Parish Primary School opened its doors to 80 students. Mother Mercedes CSB is the first of ten principals.[2]
1958 - On the 1 of February, 1958, Cheltenham became a separate parish, with Fr. Max Day being the first parish priest of the school. Originally Cheltenham was part of the East Brighton parish, then Mentone parish, then finally part of the Highett parish.
1959 - Four new classrooms were constructed on land located behind the school (land now occupied by Cheltenham Manor Nursing Home). The classrooms were needed to cope with the expanding enrollments at the school. That year there was 310 students enrolled at the school.
1961 - On the 31 of May, 1961, Fr. John Bracken succeeded Fr. Day as parish priest. An extensive parish building program was introduced, that included a new presbytery, new classrooms and a church. The student enrollment was at 395.
The new Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic church building.
1965 - On the 23rd of July, 1965, a house to the east of the new presbytery on Centre Dandenong Road was purchased.
1967 - Three new classrooms and a staff room were added to the senior half of the school. The school population continued to rise, with 540 students enrolled at the school.
1969 - A building, formally the temporary local ES&A bank, was purchased, and relocated to the site, which later became the Parish hall.
1970 - The Parish Pastoral Council was formed with the first council elected.
1973 - The student enrollment reached its highest, with 558 students enrolled at the school.
1974 - on the 1 of February, 1974, Fr. Bill Pietzsch succeeded Fr. Bracken as parish priest. Fr Bracken retired due to ill health.
1975 - The Exodus Hall is opened.
1978 - Bracken Hall was opened on the Wilson Street entrance of O.L.A. This hall served as a Scout hall for many years. The hall was named "Bracken Hall" in honor of Fr. John Bracken.
1987 - Fr. Frank Martin succeeds Fr. Pietzsch as parish priest. Fr. Frank previously was the Director of Catholic Education[3] before retiring, then he was the Parish priest at St. Paul Apostle Catholic Primary school (1980–1986).[4] Almost immediately after becoming Parish priest, Fr. Martin began the processes for the building of the new church.
1989 - The Cheltenham Manor land that was acquired in 1959 was sold. The proceeds from the sale, assisted with the associated costs with the building of the new parish church, and redevelopment of the parish school. Fr. Martin was appointed the first Dean of the local Deanery, which consisted of Cheltenham, Highett, Sandringham, Mentone, Mordialloc, Aspendale and Chelsea parishes.
1990 - The opening and dedication of the new parish took place.
1991 - Stage 1 of the school redevelopment and refurbishment commenced. Refurbishment included: conversion of the old church into 8 classrooms; art rooms; disabled amenities including shower/toilet; general storage areas; and a school canteen. By the end of 1991, the student enrollments in the school, dropped to 312, due to overall aging in the surrounding suburbs.
1993 - Stage 2 of the school redevelopment and refurbishment commenced. This included converting the open quadrangle into an enclosed multipurpose assembly hall. A new administration area was built, which included offices for the principal and deputy principal; a reception area; a work room; a staff room; and a sick bay. In addition, three grade 6 classes were refurbished. There were signs of rejuvenation, with the student population increasing to 332 enrollments, as new young families were moving into the area.
1995 - Stage 3 of the school redevelopment and refurbishment commenced. Four additional classrooms were attached to the 1991 conversion; the art room and storage areas were remodeled; and a small section of land (previously owned by the city council) located next to the new Parish House was purchased. Since 1993 the rise in enrollments, did not stop. By the end of 1995 there were 422 students enrolled at the school, the most and the first time that enrollments exceeded 400 since 1981.
O.L.A. after the 2009-10 renovation, looking from Centre Dandenong Road1996 - The small section of land that was purchased in 1995, was converted into a new car park; with paths and concreting established in the parish/school grounds.
2000 - A shaded area was erected in the school grounds adjacent to the school oval. Student enrollments peaked at 533; the highest since 1973.
2006 - Fr. Martin celebrated his Golden Jubilee.
2007 - On the 10 of January, 2007, Fr. Peter Matheson succeeded Fr. Martin as parish priest. Fr. Martin was a priest at the school for 20 years.
2008 - The parish celebrated its 50th anniversary. There was expansion made to the "Adventure Playground" which includes new facilities. All 17 classrooms are equipped with Smart Boards. Student enrollments for the year were at 434.
2009 - O.L.A. was awarded with a $3.2 million federal government grant. In that year, the school went under major redevelopment again, which saw the opening of six new classrooms; a new hall/gymnasium (Brigid Hall); a large art room; a new performing arts room; literacy resource room; larger administrations areas and Adventure Playground improvements.[5]
2010 - The 2009-10 redevelopment was officially opened. That year the student enrollments were at 440.[6]
School Principals
- Mother Mercedes CSB (1952–1957)
- Mother Ignatius CSB (1958)
- Mother Albeus CSB (1959–1967)
- Sister Roch CSB (1968–1973)
- Bill Fleming (1974–1978)
- Damien Reidy (1979–1985)
- David Pumpa (1985; acting principal)
- Leigh Scanlen (1986–1990)
- Jane Flannery (1991–2000)
- Leonie Young (2001- present)
- Winifred Murphy (2011; acting principal)
References
- ^ http://www.olacheltenham.catholic.edu.au/profile.htm
- ^ http://www.olacheltenham.catholic.edu.au/profile.htm
- ^ http://www.pavcss.org.au/about/history.asp
- ^ http://www.stpaulapostle.com.au/ourstory.html
- ^ http://moorabbin-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/cheltenham-students-celebrate-32m-revamp/
- ^ http://www.olacheltenham.catholic.edu.au/profile.htm
External Links
Categories:- Primary schools in Melbourne
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