St Joseph’s celebrates an 80-year milestone

On Friday morning the community of St Joseph’s Primary School, Merewether, gathered to celebrate the 80-year anniversary of Catholic education in the 1936 building. 

Prior to this time Catholic education had taken place on the same site for over 140 years with schooling taking place in wooden buildings. 

The celebration was an opportunity to remember, acknowledge and recognise the history of the school and the people who worked tirelessly to contribute to the wonderful community that exists today. 

Members of the school and parish community, past and present, were able to join together in prayer to commemorate this significant milestone. 

Sr Marie Hughes, a Sister of St Joseph and an ex-pupil of the school, shared how the community in the early 1930s rallied together to raise funds for the initial brick building. 

Frolics and dances, fêtes and raffles were different ways people contributed to the development of the building. 

At the liturgy, there was a real sense of the spirit of our forebears, the Sisters of St Joseph as well as the clergy and devoted parishioners who worked together to build not only a school but an energetic community.

This vibrant community continues today.  A focus on high quality education embedded in the Catholic faith is clearly evident.  Sport, the arts, information technology and social justice initiatives combine to maintain a proud tradition.

The St Joseph’s School Choir, led by Mr Michael Nolan, sang beautifully our Diocesan Vision Statement Song. They proudly proclaimed, At the heart of all we do is Jesus Christ – reminding us that the charism of the Sisters of St Joseph is alive at the school today.

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Renata Powell Image
Renata Powell

Renata Powell is the Religious Education Coordinator at St Joseph’s, Merewether.