It's lunchtime at Carlo Acutis Catholic Primary School in Wollert , part of Melbourne's northern growth corridor, and the sound of spirited play fills the air as children explore the grounds of their brand-new school. The red and blue of their uniforms, still fresh in the school’s foundation year, is a deliberate tribute to their patron's favorite colours. Named after Italian teenager Carlo Acutis, who used his coding skills to document and celebrate Eucharistic Miracles before dying from leukemia in 2006 at just fifteen years old, the school embodies the spirit of a remarkable young man who will soon become the first of the 'influencer' generation to be canonised as a Saint on the 7th September 2025. "He lived a life of faith, of service, of generosity and courage, and these are the values that we take for the life of this school," says Foundation Principal Damian Howard, who traveled to Assisi in Italy where Carlo is buried and had the honor of meeting Carlo's mother to learn more about her son's qualities and discuss plans for the school. The primary school opened in February this year and was built with the assistance of a $10.3 million loan from CDF, creating a focus point for a new Catholic community.

A new program called Generations of Value has been introduced in Catholic primary schools across Australia at the start of Term 3, 2025. The program aims to help children appreciate the unique contributions of people at all stages of life, showing them how society is stronger and more vibrant with generations working together. The program was developed by Mercy Health Foundation , Australian Catholic University (ACU) , Meaningful Ageing Australia and Catholic Health Australia , and sponsored by Catholic Development Fund (CDF). One of the main instigators, the foundation’s partnerships manager, Mark Trayli ng, says the thinking behind the program stemmed from a comment by his grandfather, a naval man, that when people lose their last parent, they become a ship without a rudder. ‘I appreciated the sentiment because it underscored how much we rely on previous generations for guidance ,’ Mr Trayling says. ‘ But upon reflection, I’d modify that image: while growing up, it’s helpful to have two hands on the tiller and someone pointing to the North Star—so that later in life, we’ll know how to steer on our own. Generations of Value is a reflection of this sentiment .’ Older people now are healthier, more educated and more involved than they ever have been.