Surrounded by recently built homes on the gently sloping plains of Thornhill Park, Saint Padre Pio Catholic Primary School stands as a beacon of spirituality and hope for an emerging community.
As cars stop curbside to release eager students, and parents and children walk hand-in-hand down the footpaths towards the school, Foundation Principal Daniel Bermingham is out front offering a friendly smile and greeting at the beginning of a new day.
“I’ve worked at many schools over my career, and this is the most spiritual school I’ve ever experienced, and it’s because of the Thornhill Park community,” says Daniel.
A relatively new suburb of the ever-expanding City of Melton, Thornhill Park is home to many new Australians, for whom spirituality is a core pillar of family life.
“The Hindu and Sikh families, who are the majority of our families, bring a really strong level of spirituality to the school”, observes Daniel.
Opened in January 2026, Saint Padre Pio Primary School’s enrolments exceeded expectations with 195 foundation students against a projection of 152.
"Even during the build, you could feel what it meant for the community. For people who are establishing a life in a new country, having a place of spirituality for their children to attend is so important"
Daniel Bermingham
Principal, Saint Padre Pio Catholic Primary School, Thornhill Park
Inside, portraits and statues of Padre Pio, the Italian saint for whom the school is named, are dotted throughout the foyer and classrooms. More than just a namesake, Saint Padre is a presence in the community.
“Saint Padre Pio was chosen for his life of service. He was a man of hope, he was a man of healing, and our school is a school of optimism and Saint Padre Pio lived that every day of his life as we do too”, says Daniel, who was lucky enough to pilgrimage to the Saint’s hometown in Italy prior to the school opening.
“He feels like a grandfather to me” reflects Daniel.
Comprising nine classrooms, an art and STEM room, a teaching-planning room, staffroom, admin facilities, bright blue basketball courts and a sprawling adventure playground, the Stage 1 development is unique in that it also included the construction of a MACSEYE early learning centre on the same site as the new primary school.
Built with the assistance of a $18.2 million loan from CDF, including $7.5 million for purchase of the land, the project is a shining example of integrated Catholic education meeting a need in a growing community.
“We have CDF to thank in a very big way for making this happen”, says Daniel.
And as Thornhill Park continues to expand so too will Saint Padre Pio Primary School, with enrolments predicted to reach 545 by 2030, as the school continues to provide an opportunity for families to develop spiritually, that’s right on their doorstep.
While Daniel is aware that growth brings challenges, he is comforted knowing he can turn to CDF when the time comes.
"Together I’m confident that I can grow and fulfill my role which is first and foremost to be there for the community, and CDF is working the magic in the background to make sure that can happen"
Daniel Bermingham, Foundation Principal
Saint Padre Pio Catholic Primary School, Thornhill Park
In the meantime, the new adventure playground, classrooms, courts, and hallways are filled with hum and hubbub of Thornhill Park’s children discovering talents, friendships, and challenges as they make their way through their early school years, watched over by the ‘grandfatherly’ presence of Saint Padre Pio.
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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.
