Historic day in school’s milestone year
By Wendy Shaw
A sparkling celebration year marking the 150th anniversary of Sacred Heart Catholic School in Launceston is drawing to a close.
But a hard-working committee has ensured that the school’s history is shared with generations to come.
A series of striking steel story panels has been unveiled and blessed at ‘Founders’ Corner’, near the entrance to the school.
While the first two panels – acknowledging Presentation Sisters’ foundress Nano Nagle and Christian Brothers’ founder Edmund Rice – went up in 2021, a further seven were added in term four this year.
Deputy Principal Adele Murphy said they are permanent fixtures that look even better as they age.
Principal Brent Wilson explained that the new panels were the result of research, consultation and the hard work from the 150 Years Team, who organised key events for the sesquicentenary.
“We were very insistent on the first panel acknowledging our indigenous history … and then it tracks right through to the present day with all the key featured elements of our history,” Mr Wilson said.
“We gather there as a whole school on our red and green days. Our red day is our Edmund Rice Day and green day Nano Nagle Day and we gather in prayer and song to remember our history. It has become a part of our culture.”
Mr Wilson said feedback from old scholars and staff had been positive.
“Taking the time to see this evolve, consult enough people and get it right was important,” he added.
“Now it’s front and centre of our school, where significant things should be.”
Launceston Parish administrator Fr Ben Brooks said he was pleased to be involved in the blessing of the panels.
“The spirit of Nano Nagle and Edmund Rice is very evident at Sacred Heart, and has been over many years,” Fr Brooks said.
“It’s good to celebrate that and it gives a solid grounding for the future.”
Sacred Heart marked its 150th anniversary in June, with a series of events including school and parish Masses, a civic reception, school tours, a student talent show and a day of olden time clothing and games.
The school is also working on two other history projects: a time capsule and a QR code guided walk around significant sites on the campus.