The Lismore Diocesan School Review Commission (DSRC) has released its recommendations regarding three schools displaced by the catastrophic 2022 floods.

As part of the recommendations, Trinity Catholic College Lismore, Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School in South Lismore, and St Joseph's Primary School in Woodburn, will not be rebuilt on their current sites on the floodplain.

DSRC had been established to make recommendations to the Bishop of Lismore on the future of Catholic schools in flood-affected areas.

This afternoon, Trinity released a statement acknowledging the significance of this decision not just for its current community members but for all former students, staff and friends of the College. 

From 1886 the Presentation Sisters educated thousands of students at St Mary’s College and, from 1911, the Marist Brothers did likewise at St Joseph’s.

Trinity Catholic College Principal, Jesse Smith said significant work has been done since the flood to ensure students could continue their education.

“The College community has worked together to ensure that current and future students have access to high quality Catholic education at Trinity’s new campus at Southern Cross University,” he said.

“A strong sense of community, an indomitable spirit and new facilities have ensured that the Trinity family has and will continue to move forward with confidence.”

“The past 14 months have proven that the spirit of the College lies in its people, not just its buildings, and this spirit will help illuminate our path to the future.”

In light of the DSRC’s recommendation, the College Council of Trinity Catholic College Lismore, in concert with the Diocese, will continue to plan for the College’s future.

More to come on this story.