Brand new Box Hill school a blessing for community

18 Feb 2022

Santa Sophia Catholic College Box Hill

Diocese of Parramatta Bishop Vincent Long has blessed and officially opened Santa Sophia Catholic College in Sydney’s North West Growth Area.

The first school in the thriving new Box Hill suburb of Gables, the state-of-the-art Catholic school will meet the needs of up to 1860 students.

Bishop Vincent shared a hope that the school becomes not just a centre for academic excellence but also spirituality.

“Let Santa Sophia be filled with God's love, justice, hospitality and inclusion,” Bishop Vincent said.

Executive Director Greg Whitby says the landmark new school is all about providing local students with opportunities to grow in faith and learning. “We’re strongly committed to making sure that students in new suburbs have access to great local Catholic schools,” Greg said. “Santa Sophia Catholic College builds on what we’ve learnt through the new schools we’ve brought to the community in suburbs like Marsden Park, Rouse Hill and Stanhope Gardens.”

Santa Sophia Catholic College Box Hill

Foundation Principal Mark De Vries says the official opening and blessing of the College is an important milestone for the faith-filled learning community. "This day marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of our next." said Mark. "We are eager to see the College flourish as a leader in innovative contemporary learning within a Catholic faith community."

At the beginning of the 2022 school year, the Santa Sophia Catholic College community grew to welcome 1000 new students after operating from smaller temporary locations for several years and 30 new teachers were hired to support this growth. Enrolment demand is extremely strong with a waiting list established for some grades.

Ambrose Early Learning, School Age Care and Vacation Care services also offer an on-site childcare centre for 60 children, before school care from 6:30am and an after school activities program until 6:00pm featuring a homework club supervised by teachers.

Santa Sophia Catholic College will be in the heart of a future Town Centre, which has plans to include a supermarket, specialty shops, and food and dining offerings. There are plans for more than 2000 homes in Stockland’s master-planned community of The Gables, and according to Hills Shire Council’s plans, the precinct could eventually be home to approximately 13000 residents.