Celebrating 100 Years of Mount St John’s Primary School, Dorrigo

Mount St John's Primary School, Dorrigo, celebrated its 100th anniversary with a day of reflection, gratitude, and community, honouring its rich history, enduring faith, and lasting legacy. (29 November 2024)

To celebrate a centenary is a profoundly humbling experience, as witnessed by those who gathered at Mount St John’s Primary School, Dorrigo, on Friday last week. The day, uniquely Dorrigo in its character, began and ended shrouded in fog, with the sun breaking through to illuminate the joyous occasion in between.

The event opened with a smoking ceremony led by Uncle Alan Phillips, who shared his ancestors’ connection to Gumbaynggirr Country and Mount Saint John’s. A student-led procession guided guests to the Church, where Father Paul Winter conducted a Liturgy, beautifully connecting the school’s history to its enduring mission of faith and education, established in 1924.

Following lunch, a formal assembly hosted by Stage 3 students included a heartfelt Acknowledgement of Country by Year 5 student Haley and a welcome address from Principal Mrs Deborah Bailey. Past principals, teachers, and students shared memories, reflecting on the school’s evolution, cherished friendships, and the dedication of the Presentation Sisters and Mercy Sisters, who laid the foundation for the school’s success.

‘Thank you, Mount Saint Johns, for an excellent education, for pushing me to exceed my limits and to never give up. I'm forever grateful for being a part of the school community and for assisting in making me the person I am today,’ said former student Lily Sibanda.

‘As Nano Nagle would say, ‘with God’s help, we can do great things’ and do great things we have by having a vibrant school community that has endured for 100 years and is well placed to move forward to achieve a hundred more,’ said Year 3 teacher Sue Darby.

The celebration concluded with the laying of a memorial stone and the burial of a time capsule, symbolising the school’s legacy for future generations. Guests admired a display of photographs spanning 100 years, prompting heartfelt reflections on the school’s journey and its profound impact on the community.

The centenary was not only a celebration of the past but also a hopeful vision for the future, ensuring Mt St John Dorrigo’s legacy endures for another century.