Strength in Community
Meet Brendan Welsford (pictured), the Principal of Christ Our Holy Redeemer in Oakleigh East. Brendan proudly represents a primary school that has a strong history of outstanding community and deep connection.
Whilst Brendan has been the Principal at Christ Our Holy Redeemer for four years, his personal history and love for the school goes back much further. Brendan himself was once a much-loved pupil at the primary school which he attended for the duration of his junior years.
Having a long and rich history with the school has provided Brendan with the knowledge of the importance of sustaining connection and growing community within his beloved ‘old’ primary school.
Within this thriving and active school there was an urgent need for expanding the space to cater for more students. Every classroom was being utilised to full capacity including the library that needed to be turned into a classroom because of classroom shortages. The constraints on space and classrooms being stretched meant the space could not meet the demands of a growing school.
CDF was able to step in and assist with a loan to refurnish the school giving the 254 students 9 new learning spaces. This included breakout areas, multi–purpose spaces, a performing arts room and a brand new “sensational library” as described by Brendan. In addition to this the children have gained a purpose–built Italian room, whilst the teachers have gained a professional teaching and meeting space that acts as a second staff room.
This refurbishment has been described as a “purposeful place” with the highlight being the multi–purpose area that can be transformed into a pop-up play area for Lego groups, faith development classes and social justice activities.
The new refurbishment and upgrade of Christ Our Holy Redeemer has not only created more space, but it is also Brendan’s hope is that it will continue to strengthen and connect the school’s community in new ways. He says, ‘This building project will serve the school by continuing to connect students, parents and friends fostering a stronger community through friendships and relationships.”
Brendan’s emotional connection with the school has allowed him to bridge the old and new. During the refurbishment an antique desk was found and promptly restored so it could be showcased as historic memento, giving a nod to the past while being housed in the new hope for the school’s future.
For Brendan it is an honour to be back at his old primary school in service as the Principal. Over the past four years he is thankful he’s been able to sustain a strong sense of community and a huge amount of parent involvement. He’s proud of the project that has come to fruition, offering many new opportunities for students and the broader community.
Christ our Holy Redeemer is grateful to CDF for the loan and the support of Relationship Manager, Aaron Gupta, throughout the process. Brendan says, “CDF has always been willing to step into supporting school projects. They are not just another business partner, but instead are an extension of our community.”
Pictured right: Christ Our Holy Redeemer, Oakleigh East
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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.
