Students, staff and guests recently celebrated the official opening and blessing of the latest building stage at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School in Butler, as well as the renaming of the school library after the school’s beloved foundation principal. 

Among the latest work at the growing school is the creation of a sensory room for students. 

“Creating spaces such as a sensory room enables students to self-regulate in a safe and supported environment, empowering them with agency over their own wellbeing and provides a beneficial transition space so they can return to the classroom ready to learn,” said CEWA Team Leader, Psychology, Safety and Wellbeing, Laura Allison. 

“The introduction of a sensory room for our children, adjacent to an office used by the Social Worker, ensures a safe, supervised environment to support student needs”, she said. 

St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School students explore the new sensory room

Much of the building stage centred on a new administration block designed to facilitate the involvement of parents and the local community in the life of the school. 

Included in the administration block are an additional parent meeting room, larger reception space and staffroom, and a redesign with additional offices that prioritises access to the school’s social worker. There is also a new shade structure covering the drop off and pick up area outside. 

The facilities are designed to cater to the wellbeing of the whole school community, with benefits for students as well as more space for collaboration between staff, as well as the school’s P&F and School Advisory Council. 

The blessing of the new buildings was conducted by Fr Dariusz Krzysztalowicz, Parish Priest of St Andrew’s Parish, and guests including the Honourable Slade Brockman, Senator for Western Australia, Mayor Tracey Roberts from the City of Wanneroo, and CEWA Director of Teaching and Learning, Ms Mandy Connor were given a tour of the facilities.

Fr Dariusz Krzysztalowicz, Parish Priest of St Andrew’s Parish, during the official opening and blessing of new facilities at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School in Butler

Along with the opening and blessing of the new spaces, the school community also celebrated the renaming of the library to the Anne Nolan Library, in honour of the foundation Principal of the school (then Brighton Catholic Primary School), who served in the role from 2004 until 2011, and sadly passed away in 2017.

St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School students unveil the plaque for the Anne Nolan Library with CEWA Director Teaching and Learning, Mandy Connor, during the official opening and blessing of new school facilities.

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