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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02 Feb 2026
From Facebook
What a wonderful way to start the year! 🎉 Today our classrooms were buzzing with excitement as students returned to school with big smiles 😊, curious minds 🧠 and plenty of stories to share 📖. The day was filled with laughter 😂, reconnecting with friends 🤝, building new relationships 💛 and settling into new routines 🏫. Students began taking on new responsibilities 🌱, learning expectations 📚 and embracing the opportunities that come with a new year level ⭐️. It was heartwarming to see confidence growing 💪, kindness being shown 💕 and a strong sense of belonging already taking shape 🌈. We’re so excited for the year ahead and can’t wait to watch our students learn, grow and shine ✨🌟 Check out what our Year 1, 2 and 4 students got up to today!
02 Feb 2026
From Facebook
🌟 Welcome Back! 🌟 The school gates are open, the chatter is back, and our community is buzzing again! New routines, fresh learning, and plenty of smiles remind us just how special the start of a school year can be. As a Catholic community, we begin this year grounded in faith and guided by love. We know God is with us in every classroom, on the playground, and in the everyday moments that help our students grow into confident, compassionate learners. Here’s to a year of curiosity, kindness, laughter, and learning and where every child is known, valued, and encouraged to shine ✨💙 📚Welcome back, we’re so glad you’re here! 📚 Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
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02 Feb 2026
From Facebook
What a wonderful way to start the year! 🎉 Today our classrooms were buzzing with excitement as students returned to school with big smiles 😊, curious minds 🧠 and plenty of stories to share 📖. The day was filled with laughter 😂, reconnecting with friends 🤝, building new relationships 💛 and settling into new routines 🏫. Students began taking on new responsibilities 🌱, learning expectations 📚 and embracing the opportunities that come with a new year level ⭐️. It was heartwarming to see confidence growing 💪, kindness being shown 💕 and a strong sense of belonging already taking shape 🌈. We’re so excited for the year ahead and can’t wait to watch our students learn, grow and shine ✨🌟 Check out what our Year 1, 2 and 4 students got up to today!
02 Feb 2026
From Facebook
🌟 Welcome Back! 🌟 The school gates are open, the chatter is back, and our community is buzzing again! New routines, fresh learning, and plenty of smiles remind us just how special the start of a school year can be. As a Catholic community, we begin this year grounded in faith and guided by love. We know God is with us in every classroom, on the playground, and in the everyday moments that help our students grow into confident, compassionate learners. Here’s to a year of curiosity, kindness, laughter, and learning and where every child is known, valued, and encouraged to shine ✨💙 📚Welcome back, we’re so glad you’re here! 📚 Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
28 Jan 2026
From Facebook
At Holy Family, we are a nurturing community that ensures every child feels valued and welcome. With a variety of learning opportunities including drama, music, art, coding, and debating, we have so much to offer your child! We're enrolling now for 2027 and invite registrations. Learn more here: https://www.hfgranville.catholic.edu.au/enrolment
12 Jan 2026
Transitioning smoothly into ‘big school’: What parents need to know
The first day of Kindergarten! It’s a milestone filled with excitement, pride and maybe a few nerves (for both you and your child!). Starting “big school” marks the beginning of a whole new adventure, and with a little preparation, you can help make those first weeks calm, confident and full of smiles.
28 Dec 2025
From Facebook
The Feast of the Holy Family reminds us that every family, despite its imperfections, is called to holiness. By looking to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, we can strive to build families rooted in faith, love, and service, becoming a beacon of hope and light in the world.✨ May the Holy Family intercede for us and inspire us to live as true “domestic churches,” bringing Christ’s presence into our homes and communities.🙏
25 Dec 2025
From Facebook
Merry Christmas to our wonderful school community! As we celebrate Jesus' birth, may your homes be filled with the hope, peace and joy, finding rest and renewal with loved ones.
21 Dec 2025
From Facebook
On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we lightthe final purple candle, the Angels’ Candle, representing peace. It reminds us of the angels’ proclamation of “Peace on Earth” and calls us to bring God’s peace to others.
17 Dec 2025
From Facebook
✨ Merry Christmas from the staff of Holy Family East Granville! ✨ As we gathered to create this little snapshot of Christmas joy, our hearts were drawn back to the true meaning of this season, Christ coming to us in love, humility and hope. Just as the Holy Family welcomed Jesus into the world, we too are called to make room in our own hearts for His peace and light. This year, we have laughed, learned, prayed, grown and journeyed together as a community. And in every moment, the big, the small, the messy and the magical, God has been with us. 💛✨ Christmas reminds us that love became present in the simplest of ways: a child, a manger, a promise. May that same love be born again in each of our families this season. From our Holy Family to yours, 🎄❤️ May the joy of Christ fill your homes, may His peace rest in your hearts, and may His hope guide you into the new year. Merry Christmas & God bless! — The Staff of Holy Family East Granville 🙏✨🎁
16 Dec 2025
From Facebook
🚗🛩️⛵ Year 1 Transport Toy Makers! 🚗🛩️⛵ Our little scientists have been busy designing and building their very own cars, planes and boats using recyclable materials for our forces unit! 💡♻️ We pushed, pulled, rolled and zoomed our way through as their transport creations came to life. From speedy racers to soaring flyers, Year 1 proved that learning about forces can take you anywhere! 🌟✨ Full STEAM ahead! 🚀💛
14 Dec 2025
From Facebook
On the Third Sunday of Advent, we light the rose (pink) candle, also known as the ‘The Shepherds’ Candle’, symbolising joy. This candle represents joy that the shepherds felt when they received the good news of Jesus’ birth and reminds us to rejoice because the coming of Jesus is near.
13 Dec 2025
From Facebook
A special evening to celebrate together as a community. We gathered for a Eucharistic Mass to give thanks for our teachers, families, and the gift of education. Fr Galbert reminded us that we cannot succeed alone, God places many wonderful people in our lives to support us, guide us, and be our champions. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 A beautiful way to give thanks and look forward with gratitude and hope. ✨🙏
13 Dec 2025
From Facebook
This week our Year 6 students gathered for their Spirituality Day, a special time to pause, reflect and give thanks for their seven years of primary school. They connected with Scripture, shared memories and spoke about their hopes and expectations for the exciting years ahead. We hold our students in prayer and bless them as they turn the next pages of their journey. May they walk forward with confidence, faith and joy. ✨📖💛
12 Dec 2025
From Facebook
✨ What a beautiful way to close our school year! ✨ Today at our End of Year Thanksgiving Liturgy of the Word, we came together to celebrate a faith filled year, honour our journey, and give thanks for all the blessings we’ve shared as a community. 🙏💛 We farewelled our teachers, students and families who are leaving, thanking them for the joy, dedication and love they have brought to our school. You will always be part of our story. 🌟👋💛 We also celebrated the achievements of our students through our Safe and Ready to Learn rewards, proudly presented by Julia Finn MP for Granville. We are incredibly grateful for her presence, her ongoing support of our school community, and her role in recognising the wonderful efforts of our students. 🎉📘🌈👏 A huge congratulations to the recipients of the Holy Cross Parish Award, with a special thank you to Father Galbert for presenting this meaningful honour and for his guidance throughout the year. 🕊️✨ We were also treated to a wonderful performance from our school band and choir, whose music lifted our hearts and added to the joy of the celebration. 🎶✨ Grateful hearts, proud moments, and a beautiful way to end the year. 💛🙏✨
11 Dec 2025
From Facebook
🏊♂️💦 Invitational Swimming Carnival Day! 💦🏊♀️ What an incredible day at our Invitational Swimming Carnival, proudly shared with our friends from St Patrick’s, Guildford! 🏆💚💛 Our students showed amazing effort, teamwork and school spirit across every race — from splashes to sprints! 🌊✨ Here’s to friendly competition, fun in the water and memories made poolside! 🥇💦
09 Dec 2025
From Facebook
📣 End of Term Assembly – You’re Invited! We warmly invite all parents and carers to join us after our Thanksgiving Mass for our End of Term Assembly. 🌟 It’s a wonderful opportunity to come together, celebrate our students’ achievements, and finish the term with gratitude and joy. We look forward to seeing you there! 🙌✨