If ever a building has a "new school smell," its St Kevin's Primary School in the northwest neighbourhood of Eastwood.

Monday was the first day of classes for the latest addition to St Kevin's school community. While Maths and Spelling lessons were in progress rbed in the new refurbished classrooms, workmen were touching up one last bit of painting above the new classroom building.

"Opening day couldn't have gone any smoother," said Principal Mary Farrell.

"We had our official Blessing and Opening of the school on Sunday, and told the kids that while the building itself was brand new and special, it was the students and their Catholic faith that will really give this building its heart and soul," she said.

Now that Stage Two of the project to refurbish the school's classrooms, walkways and stairs is completed, the 371 students of St Kevin's can benefit from new modern facilities including eight interactive white boards, which alone cost more than $100,000.

At the official Blessing and Opening, Ms Farrell acknowledged the efforts and contributions of the school's Parents and Friends Association, teachers and staff, the leadership of Parish Priest Mgr John Lyne and Patricia Kerr, the Catholic Education Office, Sydney, the State Government for their assistance through the interest subsidy program, the builders and architects, and "everyone in the parish and school who gave generously and left a mark embedded in every brick, and in every room."

"We believe this will be a place of great blessing, great learning and great opportunity for all who come to school at St Kevin's," she said.

St Kevin's staff and student body have spent the last twelve months housed in demountables and juggled long distances between three locations without complaint, according to Ms Farrell.

"This particular playground was off limits to us during the building, and we often felt locked out because we lost most of this playground to the building site," she said, addressing hundreds of students, parents, clergy and local politicians including the member for Bennelong, Maxine McKew, on 16 November.

"However, it's still very nice to have brand new buildings and facilities which enable us to keep up with the many changes in modern education. The children are delighted with their sparkling new classrooms and new technology like data projectors and smart boards," she added.

The Blessing and Opening was carried out by Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney.

At the ceremony, Frank Molloy, CEO, Sydney Inner Western Region Di rector, said "Eastwood holds a special place in the history of Catholic education."

"Here in the old parish hall was one of a series of eight public meetings occurring in 1968 and 1969, where Catholic men and women directly sought Government funding for Catholic schools by addressing the political leaders of the time in person," he said.

"For almost 50 years, the Sisters of Mercy also led the school with the parish priests, supported by the generosity and sacrifice of generations of parents."