Northam school to celebrate 125 years

12 Jun 2014

By The Record

Marie Chomiak (ex-student and current staff member) and her granddaughter Annabelle Chomiak alongside Margaret Fraser (current staff member) and her grandchildren, Aiden and Kate Gentle and Maisey Jones.
Marie Chomiak (ex-student and current staff member) and her granddaughter Annabelle Chomiak alongside Margaret Fraser (current staff member) and her grandchildren, Aiden and Kate Gentle and Maisey Jones.

Students at St Joseph’s School are preparing to celebrate 125 years of Catholic education in Northam.

The Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition established the first Catholic school in Northam in 1889.

The Marist Brothers opened St Paul’s, a boys college, in 1948 and in 1971 these two schools combined to become a co-educational primary and secondary school on two separate campuses.

The school has a 125-year tradition of providing a caring environment and prides itself as a learning centre with programs to cater for all students.

In preparation for Founders’ Day on June 12, St Joseph’s students enjoyed creating a pavement artwork last week as they decorated the playground.

Founders’ Day will be marked by a whole school Mass, followed by a day of fun and activities as the students reflect on those who worked hard to build a school and community that is still vibrant today.

As a special recognition of this milestone, the school is encouraging past and present members of the St Joseph’s community to purchase a personalised brick paver.

These pavers will be laid on both campuses later this year.

Many past and current students and staff members have contacted the school to become involved in this project and others are encouraged to contact the school office for more information.

Pavers can be purchased for $22 by contacting the school on 9621 3500 or via email: admin@sjsnortham.wa.edu.au.