When the San Damiano Creativity Hub was officially opened and blessed at St Francis Catholic College, Cobblebank, it marked far more than the completion of a new building. It represented the next chapter in a vision more than four decades in the making - one that has seen a small regional Catholic college grow into one of Melbourne's largest and fastest-growing Catholic secondary schools, while remaining firmly grounded in its Franciscan mission.
CDF is proud to continue its longstanding partnership with St Francis Catholic College, supporting Stage 2 of the Cobblebank Campus with a $14.5 million loan, building on the earlier $18 million loan that helped establish the campus.
From 57 Students to More Than 2,000
When the College first opened in 1980 as Catholic Regional College Melton, just 57 students walked through its gates. Today, St Francis Catholic College has grown into a thriving two-campus Year 7–12 college serving more than 2,000 students, with enrolments projected to reach 2,856 students by 2030.
Principal Marlene Jorgensen says the College’s growth has always been driven by something deeper than numbers.
"The story of our growth over the past 45 years is not one of 'build it and they will come', but rather 'serve the community well, provide equity and access for all, and they will join you'. Each time the school has responded to the needs of students and families, guided by its Catholic mission, more families have chosen to become part of our community."
Marlene Jorgensen
Principal, St Francis Catholic College, Cobblebank
This growth mirrors the remarkable transformation of the City of Melton, where the population is forecast to grow from approximately 205,867 residents in 2023 to more than 440,000 by 2051.
For Mrs Jorgensen, however, the growth tells a much deeper story.
"Parents continue to choose our College because they seek an education that nurtures the whole person academically, spiritually, socially and emotionally. They value a learning community where faith is lived, relationships matter and young people are encouraged to grow into compassionate, confident and capable contributors to society."
Helping Shape a New Community
Since welcoming its first Year 7 students in 2023, the Cobblebank Campus has become much more than a school. As one of the first major educational institutions in the emerging Cobblebank education and health precinct, the College is helping shape the future of the region alongside hospitals, community services and local businesses.
"As Cobblebank grows, we hope the College will continue to evolve from being a school within the community to being a key partner educating young people, supporting local initiatives and helping to shape a thriving precinct,” Mrs Jorgensen says.
A Place Where Creativity Can Flourish
At the heart of the latest stage of development is the San Damiano Creativity Hub - a purpose-built facility bringing together Food Technology, Hospitality, Materials Technology, STEM, Robotics, Art, Visual Communication and media production under one roof.
"The Creativity Hub reflects our commitment to providing exceptional learning environments that nurture the talents, aspirations and potential of every young person entrusted to our care. We want it to be a place where creativity will flourish and where future artists, designers, filmmakers, chefs, innovators and entrepreneurs will begin their journeys."
Named after the historic chapel where St Francis of Assisi first heard God's call to rebuild his Church, the Hub draws directly from the College's Franciscan identity; a place where students can imagine, create and solve real-world challenges while remaining grounded in faith, compassion and community.
Faith Woven Into Every Space
The Franciscan story extends across the entire Cobblebank Campus. From the landscaped cloister at its centre to the Tau Cross featured throughout each building, every element has been designed to reinforce the College's Catholic identity.
Buildings named Assisi, Greccio, San Damiano and La Verna each tell part of the Franciscan story, inviting students to encounter the values of faith, contemplation, creativity, peace and service throughout their daily lives.
A Partnership Investing in the Future
CDF has partnered with St Francis Catholic College from the very beginning of the Cobblebank Campus journey, supporting land acquisition and each stage of development.
Mrs Jorgensen says the partnership has been central in making the College's vision possible.
"Our partnership with CDF has been integral to the creation of our second campus. It has enabled us to provide new facilities and Catholic education opportunities in one of Australia's fastest-growing corridors. What makes a partner like CDF different is their understanding that schools are ultimately about people, not projects."
Marlene Jorgensen
Principal, St Francis Catholic College, Cobblebank
Stage 3 is already underway, with the new La Verna Building and Student Resources Hub set to deliver additional learning, wellbeing, career planning and library facilities as enrolments continue to grow.
"If, in ten years' time, our College is known for forming young people who are academically capable, faith-filled, compassionate and committed to creating a more just and equitable world, then we will have achieved a lasting and meaningful legacy."
Your savings can do more than grow. By opening an account with CDF Community Fund, you can earn a competitive rate of interest while empowering Catholic schools like St Francis Catholic College, Cobblebank to build, serve, and grow. It's a greater return than money alone. Learn more and apply today.
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CDPF Limited, a company established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, has indemnified the Catholic Development Fund ABN 15 274 943 760 (the Fund) against any liability arising out of a claim by investors in the Fund. In practice, this means your investment is backed by the assets of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. The Fund is required by law to make the following disclosure. Investment in the Fund is only intended to attract investors whose primary purpose for making their investment is to support the charitable purposes of the Fund. Investors’ funds will be used to generate a return to the Fund that will be applied to further the charitable works of the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Dioceses of Sale and Bunbury. The Fund is not prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority nor has it been examined or approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). An investor in the Fund will not receive the benefit of the financial claims scheme or the depositor protection provisions in the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). The investments that the Fund offers are not subject to the usual protections for investors under the Corporations Act (Cth) or regulation by ASIC. Investors may be unable to get some or all of their money back when the investor expects or at all and investments in the Fund are not comparable to investments with banks, finance companies or fund managers. The Fund’s identification statement may be viewed here or by contacting the Fund. The Fund does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.
