Current staff, 51 enrolled students and families were joined by past staff members and most importantly a large contingent of the Sisters of St Joseph to celebrate the school’s 60-year anniversary of education.
Commencing in the school’s first-ever classroom, those in attendance gathered for Mass in St Pius X Church during which two students were confirmed and three others received their holy communion for the first time.
The legacy of the Sisters of St Joseph was celebrated throughout the day including a presentation outlining the 62 sisters who had ministered to St Pius X School over the past 60 years as well as speeches and exchanges of stories.
There was a wonderful exhibition of photographs, and the classrooms were also open for display. Students lapped up the hot dogs while guests enjoyed a spread of food made by staff and parents.
Sr Angela, a Sister of St Joseph who resided in Windale from 1961 to 1963 thoroughly enjoyed the special day, giving special credit to the principal and staff.
“It’s great to see the enthusiasm of the children and the pupils and that obviously comes from the principal and the teachers who must really inculcate that enthusiasm in to the children. It is a credit to them,” she said.
“It was nice to have been part of it. Back then as well as today.”
The honour of cutting the cake went to Sister Cecelia, who is the last Sister of St Joseph to reside in Windale, and Tracie Booth, a recently retired teacher of St Pius X after 25 years. The cake was beautifully crafted by current parent of St Pius X, Rocel Fryer.
During the celebration, Sister Betty Brown also brought to light a significant achievement of St Pius X Primary School. Though small, St Pius X was the first primary school in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle to have a computerised library.
“From humble beginnings with three Sisters travelling from Swansea by boat to teach an enrolment of 77 students, St Pius X Primary School at present continues to bring the love of Jesus to the students in our care,” said Principal Peter Bowen.
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