As part of the Catholic Schools Office (CSO) Bishop’s Staff Day, number of staff members from the CSO visited the school where they learned about its history and its hopes for the future.

Staff members were taken on a tour through the school grounds, visiting the Learning Hub and a number of classrooms, including the ‘Bilbies’ and the ‘Koalas’ where students showcased what they were working on.

The visitors also got the chance to take part in St Patrick’s dedication ceremony which the rest of the St Patrick’s school community attended.

The school dedicated its Prayerful Place to the many Sisters of St Joseph, Lochinvar who have provided Catholic Education in the Cessnock community since 1886.

St Patrick’s encourages its community to live by the charism of the Sisters of St Joseph which promotes a trust in providence, a special love for the poor, reverence for nature and a heart for community.

As part of the dedication, the school erected four small plaques within the garden with words of thanks to the Sisters of St Joseph including Sr. Mary de Porres. She was the last of the many Sisters of St Joseph who taught in the Catholic schools of the Cessnock community.

The small garden provides a quiet place for staff and students to take some time out and contains a prayer space, the Stations of the Cross and a Memorial Garden to remember those who have passed.

The ceremony was followed by an afternoon tea with Diocesan and school staff.