Catholic school breaks ground in Brooklin New school will hold 464 students, set to open in September 2013 WHITBY -- Ground has officially been broken for a new Catholic school set to open its doors in Brooklin next fall. In late September, students from St. Leo and St. Bridget Catholic schools came together in song to celebrate the groundbreaking of a neighbouring elementary school that will open on Cachet Boulevard in September 2013. A local priest blessed the land and read from St. Paul to the Ephesians, as students, families, local dignitaries and guests of the Durham Catholic District School Board gathered at the site on Sept. 25. "The state-of-the-art, energy-saving and technology initiatives to be built into the facility will support the growing needs of Brooklin's Catholic community, while meeting the high standards of environmental awareness guided by the Ontario EcoSchool Program," said Paul Pulla, director of education. "We have many valuable people working together to achieve a learning environment that will meet the needs of all our students and staff." The building will hold 464 students, and the board has partnered with Robert Ferkul, Moffet and Duncan Architects Inc., and Garritano Bros. Ltd. for planning and construction. The school will officially be named through the local parish St. Leo the Great. "This is an exciting time for the Catholic community in Brooklin and our board is proud to be part of a neighbourhood which so many wonderful people call home," said Jim McCafferty, board chairman. Mayor Pat Perkins said Brook- lin is one of the best places in Ontario for families. "I applaud you for picking the land and driving the plan forward," she said. " We have such great community leaders in our Catholic school board." Meanwhile, a groundbreaking ceremony was held earli- er this year for a new elementary school by Durham District School Board. The new school, to be ready for September 2013, willl house 542 students in a two-storey building. The school will sit on a 5.52-acre site on Carnwith Dr. W. "We look forward to moving students into this state-of-the-art new building, which will go a long way toward (the) goal of supporting student success," says Joe Allin, chairman of the Durham District School Board, at the time. He said schools in Brooklin are operating over-capacity with many students in portables. SUBMITTED PHOTO WHITBY -- Durham Catholic District School Board students, staff, dignitaries and families gathered Sept. 25 to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new elementary school set to open in September 2013.