General News
6 December, 2024
Special Mass on Sunday celebrate school history
TRIBUTES, stories and memories will flow over the next fortnight as the St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School community marks the end of an era. The school has given hundreds of youngsters from the district their foundation in learning and growth...
TRIBUTES, stories and memories will flow over the next fortnight as the St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School community marks the end of an era.
The school has given hundreds of youngsters from the district their foundation in learning and growth over the last 68 years.
Many will be at St Patrick’s Church on Sunday for a special Mass, the first of farewell activities before the school closes for the last time later this month.
Current principal John O’Connor, on his second stint as principal at Pyramid Hill after also holding similar positions at Inglewood and in Bendigo has been part of the organising team for Sunday’s Mass that will be followed by a community luncheon and display of old photographs and school memorabilia.
John and staff at the Catholic Education Sandhurst have gathered hundreds of items, some stored in the archives, others from former students and their parents.
Bishop of Sandhurst the Rev. BD Stewart officially blessed and opened St Patrick’s school at the start of the 1956 school year.
The school’s history says it was established to cater for a growing number of Catholic children in the Pyramid Hill region and as a memorial to the residents of the region who gave their lives in World War Two.
“Hundreds of people were reported to have turned out for the opening of St Patrick’s school which was built in only eight weeks.
“At the time, St Patrick’s school was considered the most modern building in Pyramid Hill, and there was much pride from parishioners who contributed both financially and as volunteers to the building of the school,” the school records.
“The new school was designed to accommodate 100 students who would be educated through to proficiency standard; previously students had to travel to Kerang to continue schooling beyond primary level.
“When St Patrick’s school opened its doors in 1956 there were 60 enrolments and the students were taught in two classrooms by the Sisters of St Joseph, who were charged with the responsibility of educating the children.
“By 1966 enrolments at St Patrick’s had risen to 91 pupils including 18 students in form one and 10 enrolled in form two. To meet the growing enrolments two new brick classrooms were constructed along with a new staffroom facility and the first lay staff member was employed.”
St Patrick’s school ceased offering forms one and two (Years 7 and 8) in 1975, reverting to a primary school.
In 1976 the Sisters of St Joseph withdrew from St Patrick’s after two decades of service to the children and families of Pyramid Hill and district. In 1996 a new administration area and principal’s office was constructed, it was reported to be, ‘although a small school, equal to any in facilities and educational opportunities.’
On November 11, 2004 a Remembrance Garden was opened at St Patrick’s school by the federal member for Murray, Dr Sharman Stone.
While the school is being closed due to declining enrolments in recent years, the community and school leaders say the chance to celebrate the contributions over 68 years will be embraced over the next fortnight.