A BUILDING dedicated to a much-loved former school principal was officially unveiled last Wednesday to a room filled with family, colleagues and students.

Many attended the official blessing and opening of the Lynn Martin building at Xavier College’s new Two Wells campus.

An official blessing ceremony was followed by an Archbishop homily, prayers of intersession, and the sprinkling of the building with Holy Water.

The late Lynn Martin was Xavier College’s principal for 16 years before retiring at the end of 2019 after learning the Leukaemia he was first diagnosed with five years prior had returned.

His vision for Two Wells and the expansion of the college into a second campus came to fruition on Wednesday with the building’s opening – named in his honour.

His father, Brian Martin, spoke on behalf of the family.

“Although Lynn would have been most embarrassed by this gesture I know deep down he would have felt very proud,” Mr Martin said.

“Lynn always felt proud to be a teacher and leader at several colleges across the state, however, he was fulfilled being embraced by Xavier College…

“I would like to say thank you to the Xavier board, Mark (Flaherty) and the staff and students of Xavier College for deciding to remember him.”

During the opening, a memorial plaque was unveiled, followed by official addresses from Chairperson of SACCS Professor Denis Ralph, Xavier College principal Mark Flaherty and Archbishop Patrick
O’Regan.

A short video was also played of the building’s construction.

“On Monday February 1 – our first day – just shy of 160 students entered a state-of-the-art building with already established school grounds,” Mr Flaherty told attendees.

“It was quite emotional for us being so welcomed by the community.”

Professor Ralph said last Wednesday’s opening was “a significant day for catholic education in South Australia”.

“It is a significant day for the staff and students of Xavier College at this impressive, new educational facility in Two Wells,” he said.

“Thank you Brian, you and all your family have every reason to be proud of Lynn’s many qualities and achievements in his 40 plus years as a teacher and as a principal in catholic education.

“The huge challenge to complete stage 1, a $10 million building by January 2021, wouldn’t have happened without him.

“Yes you are here Lynn, both in spirit and through the presence and members of your extended family and all your friends here today who treasure so many wonderful memories of you and your very
special relationship with each one of them.”

Stage one of the Two Wells campus comprises seven classrooms, a resource hub, breakout learning, administration, maker space and outside play areas and is now filled with almost 160 students from years R-6, led by campus head Janet Coomber.

The school worked closely with Edge Architect’s and Mossop Construction and Interiors to create the state-of-the art educational facility.