Principal Message

Be Kind, Be safe, Be respectful, Be responsible, Be resilient, Be ready

Dear Parents and Carers

Next Tuesday, 8th August we celebrate the feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Many of the schools throughout the Diocese of Sale were founded by the Sisters of St Joseph.  Mary MacKillop was an Australian religious sister and educator and the founder of the Sisters of St Joseph. She was born on January 15th 1842 , in Fitzroy Melbourne and died on the 8th August 1909 in Nth Sydney.

Mary dedicated her life to serving the poor and marginalised, particularly in the field of education. She believed that every child, regardless of their social or economic background deserved access to quality education. In 1866, she co-founded the Sisters of St Joseph with Father Julian Tenison Woods. This congregation focussed on providing education and support for those in need, especially in rural and remote areas of Australia.

Despite facing numerous challenges and opposition from church authorities, Mary MacKillop remained steadfast in her mission. She established schools, orphanages and other charitable institutions throughout Australia advocating for the rights of children and the poor. 

Mary MacKillop’s dedication and selflessness earned her widespread admiration, and she is now recognised as a symbol of compassion and social justice in Australia. She was canonised as a saint by Pope Benedict  XV1  on October 17th 2010 becoming the first Australian to be declared a saint by the Catholic Church.

Today , Mary MacKillop's legacy lives on through the Sisters of St Joseph, who continue to provide education and support to disadvantaged communities in Australia and beyond. Her life and work serve as an inspiration for many, highlighting the importance of compassion, perseverance  and a commitment to social justice.

Keep smiling 

Cathy