A “school within a school” at Nazareth College’s Caritas Centre

Almost 60 local members and others braved stormy winter weather to visit the recently opened Caritas Centre at Nazareth Catholic College.  

A school-wide  Kaurna Welcome, preceded John Held and Stewart Caldwell of Russell and Yelland, Acting Secondary  Principal Jeff Sochaki, and senior student  Charlotte’s reflections on the journey to  bring the project to reality.

A tight budget and an even tighter site was no impediment to creating a flexible two story facility that has accommodated a 230 increase in student numbers in 2019. 

It has enabled the senior school to be accommodated as a ‘School within a school” in flexible learning accommodation with multiple breakout areas which make maximum use of views into the River Torrens Linear Park which adjoins the school site.

Features of the original redgum woodland which lines the park are echoed in the expressed elements of the building’s structure and the upper level ceiling and lighting design.

Implementing Stage 3 of the school’s masterplan which dates from its establishment on a former university satellite campus 10 years ago, the new building interfaces with existing facilities through elements which include a new courtyard and an upper level bridge through the resource centre.

With support from sponsors Woods Furniture and Interface the event proved once again that local interest in new education development facilities is insatiable.

Article: Andrew Gehling

Photos: Aaron Citti, Russell & Yelland, Candy Aung