New Catholic school for Northern Beaches

Topics: catholic schools, education, mackay, northern beaches, students

AS THE Northern Beaches population continues to grow so does the demand for schooling in the area.

Following this trend a new Catholic primary school is set to open in the Northern Beaches area, just off Mackay-Bucasia Rd, next year.

Catholic Education Diocesan director Leesa Jeffcoat said the new school, which is yet to be named, would provide parents in the area seeking a Catholic education for their children access to a school close to their homes.

"Our Catholic schools are very much part of their local communities and I am very pleased to see the commitment and enthusiasm of the members of the steering committee who are overseeing the planning and establishment of the new school," Ms Jeffcoat said.

"Catholic primary and secondary schools in the Mackay area already make a significant contribution to the life of the communities where they are located," she said.

"I know this new school will in its own special way continue the tradition of educational excellence and of nurturing the faith of the children who will enrol in the school community from 2015 and in the years to come."

The steering committee, made up of St Joseph's North Mackay parish priest Fr Peter Tonti, members of the parish community and representatives of the Diocesan Catholic Education Office, were doing a wonderful job in laying the foundation for what would be a welcoming, faith-centred and learning-focused school community, she said.

A principal and staff for the new school will be appointed during the second half of this year. Enrolments will be taken from Term 3 with Prep enrolments to be conducted from July 21-25.

Interested parents should phone Northern Region assistant director of schools Michael McCusker on 49313600 or email info@rok.catholic.edu.au.

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New Catholic school for Northern Beaches

Red drift algae lining Lee County beaches

LEE COUNTY -

Wave after wave of red drift algae is washing ashore all across Lee County beaches.

It's leaving an unsightly mess in some areas, and experts say that could just be the start of a larger problem.

When you put red and algae together many seasonal residents like Judy Kennedy have the same reaction.

"Red tide or something like that," said Kennedy.

It's actually red drift algae, and right now it's across Lee County beaches, such as Tarpon Bay Beach on Sanibel.

Eric Milbrandt, director of the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Marine Lab says there are a number of reasons why.

"With all the freshwater discharge we had this summer, there's a good possibility we'll continue having algae wash up on the beach," he explained.

SCFF researches say this summer's freshwater releases from Lake Okeechobee caused algae eating organisms to disappear and led to this tangled tale of trouble.

"As time goes on and the freshwater discharges were retreating, there's more light and this macro algae take advantage of that light and the nutrients that were growing in the fresh water discharges, and they're growing like crazy," explained Milbrandt.

Originally posted here:

Red drift algae lining Lee County beaches

DU Faculty Awards – John Evans Professor Kimon Valavanis – Video


DU Faculty Awards - John Evans Professor Kimon Valavanis
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DU Faculty Awards - John Evans Professor Kimon Valavanis - Video