Last week the Thomas Carr College community gathered to mark 25 years of the school’s operation. The anniversary Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli and concelebrated by present and past canonical administrators including Fr Albert Yogarajah EV, Fr Jude Pirotta MSSP, Fr Vincent John CMI, Fr Peter Ray, Fr Barry Tobin and Fr Barry Moran.
Thomas Carr College was officially opened on 30 January 1997 and is named in honour of Archbishop Thomas Joseph Carr, the second archbishop of Melbourne. Archbishop Carr served from 1886 until his death in 1917 and was a key proponent of Catholic education, which he believed was necessary for the holistic education of young people.
During the 25th anniversary celebrations, pastors and school leaders remembered with gratitude those who had the vision to plan for a future secondary school that could provide Catholic education in the rapidly growing areas of Hoppers Crossing North, Tarneit and Truganina.
Director of Faith and Mission at Thomas Carr College, Geralyn McCarthy, says it was the work of local pioneers – priests, principals, parents and parishioners – who saw a need and, ‘in the words of St Mary of the Cross: did something about it.’
Twenty-five years may be a relatively short time for many schools, but this silver jubilee marks a significant moment in the life of the community. What began as a class of 72 students in portables on a temporary site on Tarneit Road has since turned into a state-of-the-art learning facility now home to more than 1,100 students.
The current school principal, Mr Craig Holmes, reflected on plans for the school’s future:
‘We are a Catholic College in an ever-expanding population area that requires the excellent educational opportunities that Thomas Carr College provides while meeting the diverse needs of our community. As we grow in maturity as an established school, we look forward to building on our great facilities and educational programs.’
The school’s anniversary coincides with the 200th anniversary of Catholic education in Australia, the theme of which is “Faith in the Future”. The Thomas Carr College school choir recently filmed a rendition of the official song at Werribee Mansion.
