Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School, Butler have recently come together for a memorable day of faith, community and celebration.
The special occasion brought students, staff and the wider school community together to honour the Jubilee Year of 800 years since the death of its patron saint, St Francis of Assisi – reflecting on the values that continue to guide the school community today.
From a reverent and faith-filled Mass to a lively Mission Fete and the much-loved annual Colour Run, the day was a wonderful celebration of Catholic identity, school spirit and togetherness, Year 4 teacher, John Haydon explained to The Record.
The celebrations began with a Mass celebrated by Perth Auxiliary Bishop Nelson Po and Clarkson Parish Priest Fr Dariusz Krzysztalowicz.
The school hall was transformed into a sacred space as students and staff gathered in prayer to give thanks for the life of St Francis and reflect on his enduring message of faith, humility and love.
In his homily, Bishop Po centred his message on the example set by St Francis, encouraging students to embrace the virtues of peace, prayer and poverty in spirit.
Bishop Po challenged the students to live out these values in their everyday lives by showing kindness, caring for others, praying regularly and recognising the importance of a humble heart by putting God at the centre of their lives as modelled by St Francis.
For many students, the opportunity to celebrate Mass with Bishop Po was a particularly special part of the day.
“It was amazing to receive Holy Communion from Bishop Po,” said student, Jedd.
Another student, Atem, shared, “I enjoyed the Mass in the hall with Bishop Po,” while Avianareflected, “I was grateful for the day and it was really nice to celebrate St Francis”.
Sophie added, “I liked the Mass, it was super special. I liked the colour run and the mission fete, spending time with my friends.”
Hope described the day as a “sunny and wonderful day for our school to celebrate 800 years of St Francis of Assisi”.
Following Mass, the celebrations continued with a vibrant Mission Fete, where students enjoyed a range of exciting activities, including the ever popular ‘Soak the Teacher’ and the challenge of guessing the number of lollies in the jar.
The fete provided plenty of laughter and excitement while bringing students together in the spirit of community and service. All funds raised were donated to the charity Wheelchairs for kids.
The day concluded with the annual school Colour Run, which saw students enthusiastically take part in the colourful festivities.
This year’s event was made even more exciting with the addition of a foam cannon, creating an unforgettable finale filled with colour, laughter and school spirit.
Staff members also reflected on the significance of the occasion and the positive atmosphere shared across the school.
“It was a very well organised event that celebrated our patron saint – a great day for our school community,” said Linda Ridley.
Kristina Bowden commented, “It was such a positive and warm energy. The students demonstrated great pride in their school.”
Aoife Duffy reflected on the significance of the Mass, saying, “It was such a privilege to have Bishop Po celebrate Mass at our school. It made a great impact on the students.”
Mr Haydon explained that the celebration was more than just a day of special activities; it was an opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of their school’s patron saint and the values he represents.
“St Francis continues to inspire the school community to be welcoming, safe, happy, included and caring, encouraging everyone to put faith into action through their words and deeds,” Mr Haydon said.
“As Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School marked this significant milestone, the community was reminded that the legacy of St Francis lives on through the daily actions of its students and staff.
“800 years after his death, his message of peace, prayer, humility and love remains as relevant as ever, inspiring the next generation to follow in his footsteps,” Mr Haydon concluded.