RED RIBBON: . Bishop Steve Lowe helps Finn Ostler, Tom Ostler and Greer Cook cut the ribbon to officially open the Stella Maris Catholic Early Childhood Centre. Pictures by Rebecca Grunwell
RED RIBBON: . Bishop Steve Lowe helps Finn Ostler, Tom Ostler and Greer Cook cut the ribbon to officially open the Stella Maris Catholic Early Childhood Centre. Pictures by Rebecca Grunwell
Gisborne's newest early childhood centre was opened yesterday.
Stella Maris Te Aho Tāhuhu O Te Mātauranga Katorika, the Catholic Early Childhood centre opened after an official blessing ceremony.
Operated by Jubilee Early Childhood Limited, a registered company and charity that operates within the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton, Stella Maris joinsits sister centre in Hamilton as the second centre operated by the company.
“With the church's mission to support families, it was logical to open a centre in Gisborne where St Mary's Primary School, Campion College and the Catholic Church (parish) are centred around one campus,” Jubilee Early Childhood Limited director John Coulam said.
“Ever since St Mary's Catholic School moved from Childers Road to Campion Road in 2007 there has been a desire to complete the educational campus with a preschool. Following an approach from a Gisborne parishioner to the Hamilton Diocese in 2017, and with the support of the then parish priest, Monsignor Frank Eggleton, the concept quickly gained momentum and is now a reality.” Monsignor Frank, who now lives in Hamilton, came to Gisborne for the opening.
“The buildings had become surplus to St Mary's School as a result of new buildings at the school and were donated by the Hamilton Catholic Diocese.
“With donations from numerous supporters, trusts and Jubilee Early Childhood Ltd , they have been transformed into what is now Stella Maris Catholic Early Childhood Centre,” Mr Coulam said.
“The Stella Maris Centre has been granted a provisional early childhood licence to cater for up to 20 children per day aged from two years.
