By John Paul College, CEWA
The Catholic community of Kalgoorlie-Boulder have recently celebrated a special Mass on Sunday, 29 August, commemorating 125 years of Catholic education in their region.
Five Sisters of St Joseph returned to the city as special guest for the celebrations, including Sister Dora Maguire, Sr Nola Goodwin, Sr Kathleen Hitchcock, Sr Margaret Culhane and Sr Frances Maguire, having all taught at schools in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
St Joseph’s Primary students and Bradley Hall at the church entrance flagged by the Prendiville College and CBC Kalgoorlie crests at the 125 Years of Education in Kalgoorlie-Boulder Celebration Mass, 29 August 2021. Photo: John Paul College/CEWA.
Sr Kathleen was the last religious sister to serve as Principal of St Mary’s Primary, and Sr Frances was the religious sister to serve as principal of Prendiville College, which was amalgamated with Christian Brothers’ College to form John Paul College in 1984.
Organising the celebrations was a joint effort by John Paul College, St Mary’s and St Joseph’s Primary Schools.
The John Paul College choir and band provided music for the Mass, with students from all three schools ushering at the entrance to the Church, and staff from the schools assisting during Mass.
John Paul College Certificate II Hospitality students teamed up with parishioners to prepare and serve morning tea, which included a commemorative cake.
Sr Kathleen with Chairman of the Parish Council Robert Hicks at the 125 Years of Education in Kalgoorlie-Boulder Celebration Mass, 29 August 2021. Photo: John Paul College/CEWA.
Year 12 John Paul College student Sam Dyne, who also attended St Mary’s in Primary School and St Joseph’s for pre-primary, attended the celebratory Mass.
“I think it is amazing that after all this time there is still such a strong presence of Catholic education in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, and it is a testament to the quality of education here,” Mr Dyne said.
“It was a pleasure to attend the Celebration Mass on Sunday to mark this milestone.”
John Paul College Head Girl Emily Coate and Head Boy Jameson Vodden lead the procession at the 125 Years of Education in Kalgoorlie-Boulder Celebration Mass, 29 August 2021. Photo: John Paul College/CEWA.
The Sisters of St John of God arrived in Kalgoorlie in 1896, originally for the purpose of establishing a hospital.
It didn’t take long for them to open a
school in the then new St Mary’s Church, a building which still stands and
serves as the parish hall.
St Mary’s Primary School now stands on the same
location since 1900, while St Joseph’s School was moved to its current site in
1996, the third rebuild for the school, after cyclones destroyed the school’s
buildings in 1903 and 1928.