The Board of Directors of the Assyrian Christian Schools in Sydney has announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art sports and performing arts centre at St Narsai Assyrian Christian College. The latest phase brings to completion the vision of His Eminence Mar Meelis Zaia AM from over two decades ago to have a full educational system operated by the church. That pioneering vision is continually taking its form in reality.
To foster creativity, encourage physical sports and manifest talents among school students, the Assyrian Christian Schools Board chaired by His Grace Mar Benyamin Elya announced the commencement of construction of the third phase in the St Narsai Assyrian Christian College complex in the Horsley Park area, through the construction of a modern sports and arts centre. This wonderful project is scheduled to be completed in March of 2025.
The centre contains the following features:
- Two full-sized courts for playing futsal, basketball, volleyball, and netball
-Suitable for a whole-school mass and whole-school assemblies.
– A fitness hall fitted with the latest sports equipment
– Classes for the purpose of explaining the theoretical or technical aspect of applied sports or technical lessons
– Administrative offices for the college
In addition to the above, St Narsai College currently already contains four football fields, seven main buildings containing different classrooms and departments, and comprehensive curricula, recognized by the Australian government, as well as a library, computer hall, and laboratories. The college currently has approximately 650 students and 70 employees (teachers, administrators, etc.).
It is noteworthy to mention that the Assyrian Church of the East in Sydney has been adopting, for 21 years, the construction of an educational system subject to Australian educational standards, as well as maintaining a religious and cultural basis, to form a strong base for the members of the community to achieve their educational goals and to preserve the two identities, religious and historical.
On January 21, 2018, the Archdiocese of Australia opened the new Saint Narsai College in the Horsley Park area at a cost of $32 million, and further expanded it with a new building in 2019 at a cost of $8 million, which the church in Sydney allocated to build a contemporary college covering all bases of a prestigious college for the Assyrian Church community.
The educational institutions run by the Assyrian Church of the East in Sydney include:
- Saint Hurmizd Early Education Centre for children (4-5 years old)
- Saint Hurmizd Primary School for young students (5-12 years old)
- Saint Narsai Assyrian Christian College for senior students (12-18 years old)
- College of the Assyrian Language for ages 18 and above
- Nisibis Assyrian Christian Theological College in Sydney, for ages 18 and above
*Please see below artist’s impression of the project