Together, Let鈥檚 Build a School
Hello, I鈥檓 Fiona Dignan, Principal and Executive Lead of Eileen O鈥機onnor Catholic School, and I鈥檓 proud to be part of something that is not just changing lives 鈥� but building a future.
Right now, across the Diocese of Broken Bay, families of children with disability are asking the same question:
鈥淚s there a school where my child will truly belong?鈥�
We鈥檙e answering that question with action 鈥� and with heart.
Why Are We Building This School?
Because children like Leo (pictured) deserve it.
Leo first joined our community through a CatholicCare preschool. His parents were looking for a school where he would be supported academically and emotionally, in a space that honoured his unique way of learning.
Leo was one of the first students in our satellite support class 鈥� a temporary program created to meet immediate need while the permanent school was still in planning. For two years, he thrived in that environment: tailored support, expert staff, and a strong connection to his faith.
Today, Leo has transitioned into his local Catholic parish school 鈥� confident, capable, and ready for the next stage.
His story shows what鈥檚 possible. But we need to do more.
What We鈥檙e Building
We are building Eileen O鈥機onnor Catholic School, a purpose-built K鈥�12 campus in Tuggerah, designed to provide specialist, faith-based education for students with moderate cognitive disability, autism and/or complex learning needs.
This is more than a construction project. It鈥檚 a shared mission to create a school where every child is seen, known, and supported to thrive 鈥� not in spite of their disability, but with it fully embraced and understood.
The Tuggerah campus will become the bas school of Eileen O鈥機onnor Catholic School. It will offer:
Specialist classrooms and therapy spaces
Small class sizes with expert staff
Seamless pathways from early learning to post-school transitions
Integration with the wider Central Coast school precinct
A place built with Catholic values at its core
This $65 million project is being funded by Catholic Schools Broken Bay, with support from government grants, and from community and corporate partners who believe in what this school means to our community.
How You Can Help
To make this vision a reality, we are inviting the community to get involved through:
Donations and major gifts
Business or corporate sponsorships
Keeping connected in the progress of the school
Most importantly, by helping us share this story
Every contribution 鈥� big or small 鈥� is a brick in the foundation of something truly special.
Why Eileen O鈥機onnor?
This school bears the name of Eileen O鈥機onnor, a young woman of deep faith and fierce compassion who, despite her own disability, dedicated her life to caring for others. Her legacy lives on in every family we support, every child we welcome, and every life transformed by this mission.
We are building more than a school. We鈥檙e building hope, inclusion, and opportunity.
And together, we will build a school.
Learn more:
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