A THEME of partnership resinated loudly when St Peter Claver College, Riverview, staff and students presented a handmade Altar to St Ann’s Primary School, Redbank Plains.
During a special handover assembly St Ann’s School Principal Sonny Smith said the Altar would be a very welcome addition to all school liturgies and Masses.
He said the gift also formally acknowledged the unique partnership the schools would continue to develop over the coming years.
“We not only hope St Peter Claver College will be a school of choice for our students as they move into their secondary studies, but we also hope we will have some of our St Ann’s students visit when they are students of St Peter Claver and remember the day this relationship was forged,” he said.
The finished Altar is a combination of the passion and dedication shown by Year 12 Certificate I in Construction students who designed and constructed it.
The Altar also incorporates St Ann’s symbolic cross.
St Peter Claver College Principal Terry Finan said it was a pleasure to be a part of something that had brought the two schools together and would continue to bind them for decades to come.
“As Catholic communities we both value rituals and this Altar will be both a focus of many of St Ann’s Liturgies, and an ongoing symbol of our partnership,” he said.
Mr Finan said when it became apparent St Ann’s needed an Altar the college didn’t hesitate to volunteer for the job.
“The college has the tools needed to execute the job and the talented students needed to bring it to life.”
St Peter Claver College Head of Technology, James Dolan said real life experiences like this were incredibly valuable for students.
“By giving them the opportunity to participate in these types of tasks they are able to contribute to the community while honing their skills and showing how much they have learned during their time at St Peter Claver College,” he said.
“It’s a part of both schools’ history now – the St Ann’s Altar built by the SPCC construction students of 2020.”
Mr Smith said they could not thank the community at St Peter Claver College enough for the amazing gift.
Every time we come together to acknowledge and celebrate the presence of Christ amongst us, we will reflect on this moment,” he said.