History:
St Leo the Great Parish was established on 26 January 1965 and the church was officially opened in June 1966. Originally called Newport West, the parish name was later changed to Altona North. In January 1968 Fr James Kierce gathered a group of volunteers to set up plans for a parish school. Parishioners did the digging, blasting, plumbing, electrical work, painting and plastering. In 293 working days the work was completed and in January 1972 the school opened with 171 children. Sr Frances Fraser, a Josephite sister from Newport, was the founding principal. In 1974 the leadership of the school changed to the Sisters of Charity under Sr Pamela McFarlane. The first lay principal, Mr Peter Suhr, was appointed in 1979, at which time enrolment had reached a peak of 450 students. Another key historical event occurred in 1986 (28 November) when the school hosted a classroom visit from Pope John Paul II.
Description:
St Leo the Great is situated in a residential and industrial suburb in Melbourne’s western region. The parish/school community is set in an older community made up of many cultures – Italian, Maltese (first and second generation), Asian (predominantly Vietnamese) and other European cultures. The mission of the school focuses on faith education, aiming to develop quality Catholic education for the children of Altona North and other parishes. Teaching and learning programs cater for individual needs and promote opportunities for children to learn and learn about learning. We focus on student outcomes (derived from CSF 11) and seek to develop students’ abilities and skills. The school has adopted a multi-age philosophy for classroom organisation. Literacy strategies are CLaSS in the junior school and First Steps in the middle and senior schools. Each day we have a 2-hour literacy block for Prep to Year Six classes and a 1-hour numeracy block. Religious education completes our daily core teaching blocks. Integrated studies programs operate in the afternoons and include Science, Technology, Arts, Health & PE and SOSE. Italian is our LOTE – Community Language.
Features:
The school is set on a large allotment with three interconnected buildings, a parish/school hall and well developed playing facilities. Religious education underpins all learning and teaching programs. Sacramental preparation and involvement in prayer and liturgical celebration are features of the program. Pastoral care embraces the total life of the school and supports growth and development through programs such as teacher/student welfare, special education-integration support, program support groups and support to families in financial difficulty. Parent involvement is highly regarded and parents are encouraged to be involved in their child’s education through classroom activities (reading), excursions, sacramental programs and community activities, parents and friends association and the parish school education board.