Together, Let’s Build a School

Hello, I’m Fiona Dignan, Principal and Executive Lead of Eileen O’Connor Catholic School, and I’m proud to be part of something that is not just changing lives — but building a future.

Right now, across the Diocese of Broken Bay, families of children with disability are asking the same question:
“Is there a school where my child will truly belong?”

We’re answering that question with action — 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 — 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 — confident, capable, and ready for the next stage.

His story shows what’s possible. But we need to do more.

What We’re Building

We are building Eileen O’Connor Catholic School, a purpose-built K–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’s a shared mission to create a school where every child is seen, known, and supported to thrive — not in spite of their disability, but with it fully embraced and understood.

The Tuggerah campus will become the bas school of Eileen O’Connor 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 — big or small — is a brick in the foundation of something truly special.

Why Eileen O’Connor?

This school bears the name of Eileen O’Connor, 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’re building hope, inclusion, and opportunity.

And together, we will build a school.

Learn more: The Eileen O’Connor School

Make a donation Together, let’s build a school