By Caroline Smith
Parents, teachers and students past and present last week gathered at Padbury Catholic Primary School for a Mass celebrating the school’s 30 year anniversary, recalling memories of its humble beginnings and growth as a vibrant learning establishment in Perth’s northern suburbs.
The Mass – held on 19 September in the school hall – was celebrated by Whitford Parish Priest Father Joseph Tran together and concelebrated by Assistant Parish Priests, Fr Renald Anthony and Fr Mark Baumgarten and Attadale Parish Priest, Fr Sean Fernandez.
Staff members took various roles during the liturgy with readings proclaimed by teachers Dianne Holness, Trish Penny and school psychologist Carlton Dias and an introduction by Principal Pina Hutcheson. Former Padbury parent Maria Bristow read the Responsorial Psalm.
Students inaugurated the Mass with a presentation of symbols: a Mercy Cross, a book and portrait of Catherine McAuley signifying the school’s foundation by the Sisters of Mercy, flowers in the school colours, and a book by Pope Francis focusing on the importance of mercy.
After Communion, teacher Stephanie Wilson introduced the six principals past and present – Sister Carmel Wringe, John Willett, Roma Criddle, David Barras, Helen O’Toole and Pina Hutcheson – to share some of their memories with the school community.
The Mass concluded with a rendition of the Padbury Catholic School Song, written by Assistant Principal Mitch Bristow and teacher Megan Woodall.
Foundation Principal Sr Carmel Wringe said the school had been opened in response to the growing number of young families in the Padbury, Kingsley, Whitford and Duncraig area in the early 1980s, and this atmosphere had encouraged a spirit of community and support.
“The community involvement in the school has always given it a strong background,” she said.
“In the first year, the P&F held quiz nights and goodness knows what – their total income was $4000. That was considered a lot of money, and it was hard-earned.
“Few of the parents had any school experience, because they were first-time parents, so they relied very heavily on the staff for information. Many of them were one-income families – they didn’t have very much, but were happy to work with us.”
The school buildings were established in different stages, on land dominated by sand, bushland and wildflowers, leading to some interesting encounters with snakes and lizards in classrooms.
Margaret Sweetman – who was one of the first teachers at Padbury Catholic – said these humble beginnings had taught resilience, and boosted the school’s connection to Christian values.
“In the early years, the school was so homely that the kids thought nothing of it coming to the staff room door – they just knew the staff would respond to whatever they needed,” she said.
“It was a really good example of the Catholic ethos operating in a school community.
“The school was also an important point of contact for the Church. I remember Sr Carmel saying the first important decision Catholic parents make is to send their child to a Catholic school, and still today, Padbury is a Church contact for schools.”