Experienced educational leader Sonny Smith has been chosen as foundation principal of the new St Ann’s School at Redbank Plains, which will open at the start of 2020.
The announcement coincides with the opening of the new school’s Enrolment Office at Town Square Redbank Plains.
Currently being built on a 3.2-hectare site on Halletts Road, St Ann’s School will open with Prep to Year 3 in 2020, and then grow by a year level at a time until it reaches Year 6.
At full size, it is anticipated that it will cater for 780 students and employing about 50 teachers and support staff. Mr Smith, who is currently principal at Immaculate Heart School, Leichhardt, said he was looking forward to the challenge.
“I am excited and humbled to have been given this exciting opportunity to bring an affordable Catholic education to the community of Redbank Plains and surrounding areas,” he said.
The incoming principal said parents could expect a school of vibrant and challenging learning environments, designed to shape young people and respond dynamically to a world in constant change.
“Our Mission will be based on Pope Francis’ vision, where a Catholic Education is accessible and available to people everywhere,” he said.
“We will also build an educational relationship with each student, who must feel welcomed and loved for what he or she is, with all of their limitations and potential.”
Mr Smith said in the coming months he would carefully select staff who will inspire, support and challenge every student to reach their potential across all areas of learning, with a strong focus on literacy and numeracy.
Brisbane Catholic Education Executive Director, Pam Betts, said the new school was necessary to meet the growing population in the region, with the number of school-age children expected to increase rapidly in the years ahead.
“Ipswich City Council’s latest development report shows that Redbank Plains is now the fastest-growing suburb of Ipswich, and this momentum is expected to continue as new suburban developments are rolled out all the way to the Ripley Valley,” Miss Betts said.
“Brisbane Catholic Education is committed to ensuring that high quality and affordable Christian schooling is available to young families throughout the region, with other new schools planned for Springfield, Ripley, Greenbank and Flagstone over the next decade.
While construction takes place at the 3.2-hectare site on Halletts Road, Mr Smith and the enrolment team will be based in the school’s enrolment office at Town Square Redbank Plains.
Enrolment applications are now being accepted on the school’s website: stanns.qld.edu.au
Also read:
>> What you need to know about a new school coming to Redbank Plains
