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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09 Apr 2026
From Facebook
We came together to celebrate the end of the term at our final assembly! 🌟 Our FIAT team led us in a meaningful reflection, reminding us of the joy and hope of Jesus’ resurrection. ✝️ The choir filled the space with a beautiful song they had been working so hard on throughout the term 🎶 We also celebrated our incredible students as we presented our end of term awards, recognising those who consistently lived out our expectations: Live Safely, Love Respectfully and Learn Daily. 👏
05 Apr 2026
From Facebook
✝️Easter Blessing for Our Catholic School Community🐣 Easter is the greatest and most important feast in the Church. It can only be described as the core of the Church’s life. ✨ May the joy of the Risen Christ fill our hearts with hope, renew our spirits with His love, and guide our school community in faith and kindness each day. As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, may we be reminded that light overcomes darkness, love conquers all, and new life is always possible. May our students grow in compassion and friendship, our families be strengthened in faith, and our staff be blessed with wisdom and peace. Wishing you and your families a joyful and blessed Easter.
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09 Apr 2026
From Facebook
We came together to celebrate the end of the term at our final assembly! 🌟 Our FIAT team led us in a meaningful reflection, reminding us of the joy and hope of Jesus’ resurrection. ✝️ The choir filled the space with a beautiful song they had been working so hard on throughout the term 🎶 We also celebrated our incredible students as we presented our end of term awards, recognising those who consistently lived out our expectations: Live Safely, Love Respectfully and Learn Daily. 👏
05 Apr 2026
From Facebook
✝️Easter Blessing for Our Catholic School Community🐣 Easter is the greatest and most important feast in the Church. It can only be described as the core of the Church’s life. ✨ May the joy of the Risen Christ fill our hearts with hope, renew our spirits with His love, and guide our school community in faith and kindness each day. As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, may we be reminded that light overcomes darkness, love conquers all, and new life is always possible. May our students grow in compassion and friendship, our families be strengthened in faith, and our staff be blessed with wisdom and peace. Wishing you and your families a joyful and blessed Easter.
03 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Today, we take a moment as a community to reflect on the meaning of Good Friday, a time that reminds us of love, sacrifice, and hope. May this sacred day offer our families a sense of peace, quiet reflection, and renewed purpose as we continue our shared journey through the Easter season.
02 Apr 2026
From Facebook
💃🕺 Last night Holy Family took to the stage at the ZING Activ Interschool Dance Championships!! 🙌🙌 We are so proud of our amazing Year 3–6 students who have been working hard all term on their partner routines and absolutely shone on the dance floor this evening! 🙌⭐⭐✨ Take a look at some photos from the night capturing our students in action — including their first partner dance, the Tango 💃, as well as their incredible show dance! 🌟 A HUGE congratulations to all of our place getters 🤗🤗🤗, and a special shoutout to our Year 6 students who were crowned overall winners for their age group! 🏆👏 A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful parents for coming along and supporting our students, and to our dedicated teachers for their time, encouragement, and hard work in preparing the team. 💛
01 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Our Year 4, 5 and 6 students reverently led our school community in the Stations of the Cross, an important and meaningful tradition in the Catholic faith during Holy Week ✝️🌿 Through prayer, reflection, and thoughtful storytelling, they guided us through each station, helping us to walk alongside Jesus on His journey to the cross. This powerful experience invites us to reflect on the sacrifice, love, and hope at the heart of our faith. 💛 We are so proud of the respectful and heartfelt way our students brought this sacred story to life for our community. 🙏✨
31 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Our Year 1 and Year 2 students reverently shared the story of the Last Supper and the Garden of Gethsemane as part of our Holy Week journey. ✨ Through prayer, reflection, and storytelling, they helped us enter into these sacred moments—remembering Jesus sharing a meal with his disciples and later praying in the garden with trust and courage. 💛 We are so proud of the thoughtful and respectful way they brought this important part of the story to life for our community.
30 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Today our Kindergarten beautifully shared the story of Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of Holy Week. 🌿✨ With joyful hearts and gentle voices, they reminded us of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, joyfully calling out “Hosanna!”—a word of praise and hope meaning “save us.” Their reverence and enthusiasm brought this sacred moment to life, helping us all reflect on the love and faith at the heart of this season. 💛 We are so proud of the special way they shared this message with our community.
29 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Today we pause to reflect on Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of Holy Week. 🌿 This special day reminds us of the importance of peace, humility, and kindness, inviting us to carry these values into the week ahead🌿 Please join the school community for a Palm Sunday Liturgy tomorrow at 2:20 pm🌿
28 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🌍 E A R T H • H O U R 🌍 A Call to Care for Our Common Home Tonight, as we switch off our lights for Earth Hour, we are invited to do more than sit in darkness, we are called to shine as stewards of God’s creation. In this special year dedicated to St Francis of Assisi, we remember his deep love for all that God has made. He saw creation not as something to use, but as a gift to cherish, our brothers and sisters in creation: Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Brother Wind, Sister Water. We are reminded through Laudato Si’ that caring for our common home is not optional, it is part of our faith. It is an act of love, justice, and responsibility. 🕯️ So tonight, let Earth Hour be more than a moment, let it be a movement. ✔️ Turn off your lights ✔️ Pause and pray in gratitude for creation ✔️ Commit to one action that protects our planet Because caring for the Earth is caring for each other.Because creation is a reflection of God’s love.Because our faith calls us to act. Let us follow St Francis and be instruments of peace, for the Earth and for all who call it home. 🌿
26 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Year 5 struck gold on their excursion to the Goldfields today! ⛏️✨ Students began their journey as shepherds before stepping into 1851, when the gold rush began. They formed syndicates and worked together to purchase everything they needed to survive on the fields. Some were lucky enough to strike gold and shout “Eureka!” while others experienced the reality of leaving empty-handed. Through hands-on activities, students explored what life was like during the gold rush, building teamwork, resilience and a deeper understanding of Australia’s history. A truly golden learning experience that brought the past to life! 🌟
25 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Today we celebrate the Annunciation of the Lord — a special moment when Mary said “yes” to God with courage and trust. 💙 Inspired by Mary’s example, our students also said “yes” today by taking part in Caritas Australia’s Big Walk for Water 🚶♀️💧 Walking in solidarity, we showed care for others and put our faith into action. We also read about Sisilia’s story and walked with empathy as we reflected on her experience. 🌏✨ We are so proud of the way our community lives out compassion and kindness each day. Thank you for all of your generous donations to help support Project Compassion this Lenten season. #faithinactioncspd
24 Mar 2026
From Facebook
💧🚶♀️ Big Walk for Water is coming TOMORROW! 🚶♂️💧 Get ready for a meaningful and fun day as we walk together in solidarity for those who don’t have easy access to clean water 💙💜 👕 Students are invited to come dressed in blue or purple 💰Please bring a gold coin donation to support the cause 🙏 Parents are warmly invited to join us for our morning liturgy on P2 Let’s walk with purpose and make a difference together! 🌍✨ #faithinactioncspd
24 Mar 2026
700+ Unite for Project Compassion Big Water Walk
More than 700 students and staff from 23 schools across Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) came together for Caritas Australia’s Big Water Walk in support of Project Compassion. Beginning at Parramatta Park, students carried buckets of water along a 4km route, gaining a glimpse of the daily journey faced by people in developing communities, especially women and children, in search of clean water.
24 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Celebrating our latest rewards across the school! 🎉 Year 1 enjoyed a relaxing movie afternoon and mufti day 🍿👕 Year 4 got creative with crazy hair and had a blast with Kahoot 🤪💻 Year 5 also rocked mufti and showed off their skills in Kahoot 🎮👏 A fantastic effort from everyone for Living Safely, Loving Respectfully and Learning Daily! 🌟
21 Mar 2026
From Facebook
We promised more photos… and here they are! 📸✨ Yesterday’s Harmony Day celebrations were too special not to share a little more of the story behind the smiles. Students were incredibly fortunate to learn from Lyndal and Ayoola from CSPD’s Jarara Cultural Centre, who brought culture, stories and deep knowledge to life in such an engaging way. Our school was bursting with colour as students created vibrant handprints, which is a powerful symbol of unity and belonging. Students also worked collaboratively in their classes to research different countries and continents, proudly showcasing their learning through beautifully decorated class maps. After reading I’m Australian Too by Mem Fox, students thoughtfully reflected on what Harmony Day looks like in our community. Their responses spoke of inclusion, respect, kindness and celebrating the rich diversity that surrounds us each day. Swipe through to see more moments from a day filled with connection, learning and joy! 🌏🧡 Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese