New Kindergarten opened

Children at St Anthony’s Catholic Kindergarten were very excited to show off their new facility to official guests and visitors attending the Blessing and Opening Ceremony held at the kindy in North Rockhampton recently.

The Most Reverend Michael McCarthy DD, Catholic Bishop of Rockhampton blessed the kindergarten and Catholic Education Diocesan Director Leesa Jeffcoat AM conducted the official opening. Also in attendance were Queensland Catholic Education Commission representative Jane Slattery, Assistant Director Schools Rockhampton Region Mike Kelso, Early Learning and Care Coordinator Kathryn Byrne, Rockhampton Regional Council Member Rose Swadling, Parish priests Fr Marcel Kujur and Fr Frank Gilbert, representatives from Catholic primary schools and colleges and members of the St Anthony’s kindergarten, school, parish and wider communities.

Mrs Byrne said it was an exciting time for St Anthony’s and Catholic Education was pleased to be a part of such a vibrant and friendly community.

“The practical support offered, and many hours of planning and coordination have been integral to establishing St Anthony’s Catholic Kindergarten,” she said.

Mrs Byrne said Catholic Education was particularly appreciative of the support received from Rockonia Parish (especially the Holy Family Catholic community) and St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School.

Mrs Byrne said the centre featured spacious modern facilities and offered a Queensland Approved Kindergarten Program delivered by university trained early years teachers.

“The Catholic kindergarten program also provides an all-encompassing family atmosphere that supports the nurturing of spirituality in the child where gospel values and religious concepts and experiences are shared through every child’s natural relationship with God and their world,” Mrs Byrne said.

Miss Jeffcoat said Catholic Education was delighted to provide this state of the art teaching and learning facility to cater for current and future growth in the area.

Miss Jeffcoat said the addition of another Catholic kindergarten to meet the early years education needs of North Rockhampton families was warmly received, opening with a full cohort of 44 children from the start of the year.

“Building on the support for St Joseph’s Catholic Kindergarten in Park Avenue which opened in 2013, strong demand has continued for Kindergarten places here at St Anthony’s right from the early planning stages and it is very satisfying for Catholic Education to be able to support children and families, particularly working parents, with options that suit them at both facilities,” Miss Jeffcoat said. 

The new Kindergarten was fully funded by Catholic Education with the capability of catering for increased enrolments in the future.

“St Anthony’s is a thriving and dynamic community and we know these beautiful modern facilities will be well utilised,” Miss Jeffcoat said.

Photo: Bishop Michael McCarthy joins St Anthony's Kindergarten students and teaching staff from left Tracey Busch (Teaching Assistant), Michelle Fletchett (Director), Carlynne Royes (Relief Teacher) and Helen Reece (Disability Worker).