St Patrick’s has a proud history and an excellent reputation for providing quality education in the Bega Valley.
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It was one of the first schools in the valley and was originally run by the Sisters of Charity prior to Mary MacKillop’s Sisters of St Joseph. This year they celebrate 150 years of Catholic education!
The anniversary will commemorate the opening of the Catholic Denominational School of Bega in 1869 by Mr John Mangan.
As years went by, the Sisters of Charity (1884) and later the Sisters of St Joseph’s (1926) came to run the school which now falls under the responsibility of Catholic Education.
The sesquicentenary celebrations will take place over three days from Friday, March 15 to Sunday, March 17, which is St Patrick’s Day.
As the primary school is named after Saint Patrick it is fitting that the finale of the celebrations will be held on St Patrick's Day on March 17.
The reunion weekend will open with Welcome to Country at 9.15am then a Mass at 9.30am on Friday, March 15 followed by an open day at the school with a theme of 150 years running through the classrooms.
The school hall will be set up as a little museum/art gallery featuring artefacts that have been collected across the last 18 months.
On the Saturday, Bega Valley Council has approved a St Patrick’s Day parade through the main street then up Gipps Street to the School Hall, and there the Parents and Friends Association is putting on a number of activities.
On Saturday night there’ll be a bush dance and dinner with entertainment and a two course meal plus a free sausage sizzle and drink for all children.
On Sunday morning Archbishop Christopher Prowse will say Mass to be followed by morning tea to wrap up the festivities.
The religious education coordinator Mrs Emma Grant said, "The lead up to, and preparations for, the 150 years celebration has created so much positive energy in the community.
"We are thrilled that so many esteemed guests will be joining us for the celebration."
These three days will certainly be huge and talked about for many years. Come along and help make the 150 year celebrations a great success as they reflect on the past, celebrate today and look forward to the future.
Schedule of events are as follows:
Friday, March 15
9.20am - Welcome to Country
9.30am - School Mass
10.30am - School Open Day
Museum Open (Hall)
2pm - School Assembly
Saturday, March 16
Noon - St Patrick’s Special Event
1-3pm - Fun on the Flats
History talks and Museum (Hall)
5.30pm - Bush Dance and Dinner
Sunday, March 17
9.30am - Parish Mass
10.30am - Morning Tea (Hall)
Marking & Remembering the Sesquicentennial
Engraved pavers with family names/dates can be purchased to be installed at the school to mark this special occasion. Pavers will cost $30 and can contain up to 48 letters. The tea towels cost $12 each.