Alexandria Resource Centre Opening and Blessing

Last Friday (23 April) the College celebrated the official opening and blessing of the Alexandria Resource Centre.

Father Fabian Smith conducted the blessing ceremony and I was joined by our special guest, the Member for Melton, Mr Steve McGhie MP, for the plaque unveiling and ribbon cutting to formally mark the opening of the building. It was also wonderful to welcome back former Principal Mr Mark Sheehan and his deputies who contributed so significantly to the buildings at the College.

This building was once a hall, and some of the original elements were retained to acknowledge our past as the College grows and develops.


We are grateful for the significant support of the State Government over the past four decades, which has allowed us to expand and build such wonderful learning spaces for our students.

Naming our new resource centre

The naming of the Alexandria Resource Centre was certainly no arbitrary decision. Our librarian Mr Michael Hill conducted considerable research into the suitability of several proposed names. The final decision to call this wonderful new space after St Catherine of Alexandria was a highly suitable choice.

Saint Catherine was born in Alexandria, Egypt in 287AD into a noble family and was said to be well educated and a scholar. Around the age of 14, Catherine experienced a moving vision of Mary and the infant Jesus, and she decided to become a Christian.

When the Emperor Maxentius began persecuting Christians, Catherine bravely visited him to denounce his cruelty. This angered the Emperor, so he ordered Catherine to be executed on a breaking wheel, a method usually reserved for the most terrible of criminals.

When Cather­ine was presented before the wheel, she touched it and a miracle occurred that caused the wheel to shatter. Finally, Emperor Maxentius ordered Catherine beheaded. She was martyred in 305AD and is the patron saint of students, librarians, and philosophers.

The joy of reading helps us develop empathy and experience the personal story of others. The name of this building and the beautiful space offered to our students will undoubtedly further inspire their life-long love of learning.

May they become, like Catherine, scholars, gifted orators and defenders of the faith who go on to make a significant contribution in our world.
Marlene Jorgensen

Principal

▲ Back to top