By Natashya Fernandez
Sacred Heart Catholic School Highgate will celebrate its biggest milestone yet – its 120 year Anniversary on Saturday 29 July.
The Anniversary celebrations will culminate with a Gala Evening attended by honorary staff, community members, past alumni as well as their families and friends.
With numerous other activities also taking place throughout the year to commemorate the occasion, the celebrations started at the beginning of the term with a Welcoming Family Mass at the school followed by a vintage morning tea. The occasion also saw the launch of the first of the 120 year memorabilia go on show – a picnic rug.
A Founders Week will also be celebrated in October involving re-enactments of the events during the foundation of the school, while an Art Auction and Exhibition is also planned for November.
And as a special show of the school’s history, a School Heritage Room is expected to be unveiled at the 29 July Gala evening.
Sacred Heart Catholic School Principal, Mrs Tanya McGuire said that staff and parents of the school, together with the Sisters, were keen to display old photos and memorabilia, including an original habit, the school’s religious statues and display cases with examples of past pupils’ written work.
Mrs McGuire who has been at the helm for two years said, she was honoured to lead the school during such a significant milestone.
“Sacred Heart is Western Australia’s oldest operating Catholic Primary School. I feel really privileged, it’s really quite special.
“We feel we have lots to celebrate but also very honoured to be continuing the legacy of the original Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, who were the founding order,” she said.
While the school recognises the past, it is also keeping up with the changes of today, she added.
“Enrolments are strong and highly sought after. We are a Digital learning school and our children work on laptops in heritage listed classrooms that have been fitted out as contemporary learning spaces.
“We are also looking forward to having representation from the Archdiocese, Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, many former Principals, Parish Priests, staff and students, join us for the Gala Evening,” Mrs McGuire said.
100 Year Celebrations Remembered
Following on from its centenary celebration on 25 October 1997, the school paid special homage to the celebrations with guided tours, afternoon tea and the launch of a book, titled, ‘Children of the Same God’, compiled by historian Margaret Ker, outlining the school’s centenary history as well as a display of old photographs of students, classes and teachers and other items and documents lent to the school by past students.
A Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated at Sacred Heart Church at 6pm and celebrated by Archbishop Barry Hickey, concelebrated by then Parish Priest, Monsignor Michael Keating, with some 500 guests in attendance.
“The Gala evening will be just another way to show our appreciation to all current families and staff but also to welcome our past alumni to revel in our 120-year history.
“We feel honoured to be planning for the special occasions related to the 120th Anniversary, as many of our students’ grandparents and our older parishioners were involved at the centenary celebrations,” Mrs McGuire added.
For more information about the 120 Year Anniversary celebration or to purchase tickets, visit www.trybooking.com/PPNI
Sacred Heart Catholic School 120th Anniversary and Reunion
When: Saturday 29 July 2017
Where: School Grounds, Entry via Mary Street, Highgate
Time: 6.30pm – 11.30pm
Tickets: $60 per person including fully catered food and entertainment