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B
y 1983, the need for a Catholic School in the
area was identified. InMay 1984, with the
assistance of St John’s Campbelltown, a land deal
for seven acres was finalised on the corner of
Emerald and Aquamarine Drives and plans for a
Church Hall and school were drawn up.
At this time Fr Paddy was transferred toWestern
Australia to be replaced by Fr Vince Ryan who
was originally from the parish of Sefton.
On 6 October 1985, the ‘turning of the sod’
ceremony took place for both the school and
church hall. Construction began on the site
almost immediately. AMarist Brother – Philip
Slattery fms, was appointed as the founding
principal of the school.
On 3 February 1986 St Mary’s Primary School
began, so named because of the Marian
traditions of both the Oblate Fathers and the
Marist Brothers. The school motto was, and still
is, ‘Christ our Way and Life’.
As the buildings were still under construction,
the 120 students fromKinder to Year 2 began
the year at St Gregory’s College. Sr Margaret, a
Sister of the Good Samaritan, was an original
staffmember, working with Br Philip and five lay
staff.
On 19 May, 1986, classes commenced in the new
school building and Masses were now celebrated
in the new Church Hall. The buildings were
officially blessed and opened by Bishop Murray
on 15 August, 1986.
The beginning of the 1988 school year saw
additional classes being conducted in the hall
as the new buildings were not yet completed.
However, the next two stages of the school
were subsequently opened later in 1988 – four
classrooms and the administration block - and in
1991 a further four classrooms.
O U R
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