We are thrilled to announce that the iconic Our Lady of Sion Convent and school campus site in Sale is set to be revitalised with plans now approved for a $40 million investment in one of the largest education projects ever undertaken in our Diocese.
This announcement follows more than four years of consultation and master planning for the site as the Diocese of Sale and Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Ltd (DOSCEL) worked with the community and heritage experts on plans to restore the heritage listed buildings and rejuvenate the entire site for 21st century education use.
The $40 million redevelopment will deliver three distinct projects and create a state-of-the-art education precinct. The projects include:
St Thomas' Primary School, Sale will move into a state-of-the art primary school facility on the site and will be re-named Our Lady of Sion Catholic Primary School to honour the rich history of the Sisters of Sion. A strong link to St Thomas' will be maintained with a $12.5 million purpose-built Learning Neighbourhood to be known as the St Thomas' Centre. The new building has been made possible with the support of a $3.6 million Capital Grant from the Australian Government.
The first two floors of the Sion convent building will be repurposed for contemporary primary education use for Years 4 to 6 and will include connected classrooms, along with STEM, Library, Art, multimedia, administration, and office spaces. The beautiful convent chapel will be an inspirational and prayerful space for students.
The Ratisbonne Leadership Centre will occupy the top floor of the convent building which will be refurbished and re-purposed as a specialised facility to deliver teacher and school leader professional learning programs to support Catholic schools across the Diocese of Sale. With independent access and carparking, it will support DOSCEL’s efforts to promote expert teacher practice and deliver teaching and learning excellence.
The preservation and revitalisation of this much-loved Sale landmark not only protects our heritage, but as custodians of the site, we have the opportunity to create a beautiful new place of learning for our young people that will enable them to grow in their love of Jesus in an enriching environment.
While much work lies ahead, including the redevelopment, construction, and ensuring a smooth transition for the St Thomas school community, we are committed to working closely with parish, schools, partners, and stakeholders throughout this journey.
We thank everyone contributing to this project - our school and parish communities, architects, engineers, consultants, the project team, and the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion.
The project is being led by Monto Project Managers, with Y2 Architecture as the lead Architects. Melbcon Builders are on-site, laying the groundwork for construction to begin, with a planned completion in early 2027.
We invite you to view images and 3D animated videos that simulate a journey through the proposed buildings and grounds at:Click here
The Our Lady of Sion Convent has long stood as a treasured landmark in Sale since 1893, symbolising faith, Catholic identity, and education for generations. We look forward to bringing this next exciting chapter to life. We invite the community to keep the project team, students, and staff at St Thomas’ Catholic Primary School in your prayers as we begin this new journey.
