There was a true sense of joy in the air when Holy Family Primary, East Granville celebrated its 80th anniversary on the same day as St Mary of the Cross MacKillop was remembered for establishing the first Catholic school in Australia.
The celebrations began with an inspiring Mass and included a special blessing of a new learning space at the school.
Diocese of Parramatta Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv DD reflected on some of the famous sayings of St Mary MacKillop including “never see a need without doing something about it”, “we are but travellers here” and “find happiness in making others happy.”
He said St Mary MacKillop saw a need to serve the poor and from that she founded the first Catholic school in rural Penola in South Australia and so Catholic education was born.
Australia’s Catholic education story includes the establishment in 1938 of Holy Family Primary East Granville Trongate Hall, newly purchased by Fr Halpin.
Holy Family’s Principal Yvette Baird said Fr Halpin asked the Sisters of St Joseph to look after the new school, and they did so for 50 years before the first lay principal Carmel Cannon took over the reigns.
Other past principals include Bernard Holland, Kevin Etherington and Sue Guilfoyle.
“However a school would be just bricks and mortar without one essential and valuable asset: the children who walk through the gates each morning with a smile on their face ready to live, love and learn,” Mrs Baird said.
“This has been our school motto - to live with hope, to love in hope and to learn for the hope of our world.”
In the spirit of the occasion Mrs Baird, along with her wonderful team of teachers, took to the church podium to add a splash of colour, music and song.
Following the Mass, Bishop Vincent blessed the school’s new learning space with the assistance of Holy Family Parish Priest Fr Andrew Bass.
Mrs Baird said she is very grateful of the new learning space which has already provided new possibilities and opportunities to cater for the learning needs of all the students.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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π¨ Missing: Year 4! π¨ Today, Year 4 seemed to disappear and in their place were teachers, sports stars, singers, workmen, scientists, make-up artists and surgeons! π©βπ«β½π€π¨π¬ππ©Ί As a reward for consistently following our school expectations, Year 4 dressed up as who or what they wanted to be when they are older. π It was wonderful to see our students dreaming big and proudly sharing what they hope to become in the future. The future is looking bright! Congratulations Year 4! Keep up the great work!
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From Facebook
π¨ Missing: Year 4! π¨ Today, Year 4 seemed to disappear and in their place were teachers, sports stars, singers, workmen, scientists, make-up artists and surgeons! π©βπ«β½π€π¨π¬ππ©Ί As a reward for consistently following our school expectations, Year 4 dressed up as who or what they wanted to be when they are older. π It was wonderful to see our students dreaming big and proudly sharing what they hope to become in the future. The future is looking bright! Congratulations Year 4! Keep up the great work!
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Mark your calendars as Holy Family comes together to support the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal, helping those in our community who are doing it tough this winter. π Wednesday 17th June π° Gold coin donation βοΈWear your cosiest PJs with your enclosed sport shoes (no UGG boots, slippers or open toe shoes) Students are invited to bring a gold coin donation as we join together in living out our faith through action and compassion, supporting the important work of St Vincent de Paul in providing care and assistance to people in need.
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Year 2 have been busy exploring the observable changes that occur in the sky and on the land through a range of exciting hands-on Science investigations this term π ππ₯Όπ©βπ¬π¨βπ¬ Students investigated the movement and position of the Sun throughout the day and explored how it impacts the weather, temperature and our environment. πβοΈπ‘οΈ Using their knowledge of the seasons and weather patterns, students worked as young scientists to collect daily weather data, identifying changes and patterns in the sky and discussing how seasonal changes affect our daily lives and living things ππ€οΈπ§οΈ We are so proud of the curiosity, teamwork and enthusiasm Year 2 have shown throughout their learning in Science this term! π
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