I am excited to inform our community that, following the discernment of Bishop Ken Howell and meetings between the College and Father Brian Noonan, plans are being drawn up to build a church on the College site. This new church will serve as a spiritual home for the Highfields (and hinterland) Catholic community and for Mary MacKillop Catholic College. This significant development marks a new chapter in our mission to provide a place of Catholic distinctiveness and identity for the Highfields community.

The distinctiveness of Catholic education lies in its commitment to everyone’s holistic development. It emphasizes the dignity of the human person, integrating academic rigor with moral and spiritual formation. As part of that Catholic educational mission, the new church will serve as a centre for spiritual growth and learning. We are dedicated to fostering education that integrates faith, academic excellence, and service, and the church will provide a sacred space for students to deepen their faith through regular Mass, sacraments, and religious education programs.

Additionally, the new church will play a pivotal role in our youth ministry. Recognizing the importance of nurturing the faith of our young people, the church will support various youth-oriented activities, retreats, and community service projects. These programs aim to engage our students in meaningful ways, helping them to grow spiritually, develop leadership skills, and build a strong sense of community.

Of course, all this important work in the educational mission of the Church will be alongside the church as a place for the Parish to worship and build community. St Mary MacKillop Parish have for a very long time been itinerant throughout Highfields and surrounds. This building will enable them to leave the MacKillop Centre and have a bespoke, unique and sacred home.

The new church will be in the Junior College. Adhering to my belief that the College must plan and design intelligently to be sustainable as we grow, it will be built in the green space within the Prep horseshoe outside the Prep classrooms. The project will be designed by our College architect, Lester Ehrlich from Elia Architects.

Father Brian Noonan said this about the project: "This new church will not only be a place for worship but also a beacon of hope and unity for our community. We are grateful for the support of our parishioners and the broader community in making this vision a reality."

Both the Parish and the College are inspired by the joint mission of St. Mary MacKillop, and our efforts are deeply rooted in her legacy of compassion and dedication to education. Her vision continues to guide us as we strive to serve those in need and foster a spirit of inclusivity and support within our community.

I will join Father Brian, representatives of the Diocese/Parish, Parent Engagement Network and Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office in forming a steering committee to progress this exciting project, conscious of the importance of aligning this to the strict protocols and guidelines of Catholic school funding.

Mr Chris Gabbett

College Principal