St Brigid’s marks 100 Years of Catholic education in the Derwent Valley
By Heather Excell
A century of stories came together on 25 March as St Brigid’s Catholic School in New Norfolk celebrated its 100th anniversary. Past and present students, staff, families, and parishioners gathered to mark the school’s centenary with a special Mass celebrated by Archbishop Tony Ireland.
In his homily, Archbishop Tony reminded those gathered that the heart of the school has always been its students.
“Without the children the buildings have no purpose, without the children the teachers have no one to teach,” he said, reflecting on the generations who have “played, learned, grown in faith, and forged friendships” at St Brigid’s over the past 100 years.
Held on the feast of the Annunciation, the Archbishop encouraged students to follow Mary’s example of saying ‘yes’ to God in their daily lives through kindness, effort, and care for others.
Principal, Dianne O’Rourke said the celebration was an opportunity to reflect on the school’s rich history while looking ahead with hope and determination.
“Reaching 100 years is a significant milestone for our school community,” she said. “It gives us a moment to pause—to cherish our past, celebrate our present, and dream boldly for our future.”
The school began in 1926, when the Sisters of Charity opened St Brigid’s with just 80 students. From 1950-1992, the school was under the care of the Presentation Sisters who refurbished and expanded the range of facilities. Today, the school’s legacy is carried on through lay leadership and a strong community spirit.
Dianne said the anniversary was not only important for the school, but for the wider valley with the event marking 100 years of Catholic Education in the area.
“St Brigid’s has always been a community effort,” she said, noting the role of early parishioners who helped build the school through donations, labour, and working bees.
“This centenary recognises the way an entire valley helped shape St Brigid’s, and it celebrates the ongoing partnership between the school and the community that continues to sustain it today.”
Among those celebrating the milestone were past students Anne Stevens (who first attended in 1941, and later returned as a music teacher), and her daughter JoAnne Volta (who attended from 1964-1969).
Having also attended the school’s 50th anniversary, Anne recalled a very different school environment in the early years.
“We had exercises and dancing every morning to get warm,” she said. “The boys played marbles and the girls played hopscotch, skipping and rounders. Mostly we played in the gardens, there were no playing fields.”
She recalled many changes to the school’s layout over the years, including a conservatory filled with beautiful plants sitting next to the chapel (now the office).
For JoAnne, her memories were of a school deeply connected to parish life.
“We had confession every week and prayers every morning,” she said. “There were no non-Catholic children that I recall and it was a very strong parish.”
She recalled the simplicity of school life at the time. “There were no playing fields, and the grounds were beautiful. We had a tuck shop and fish and chips were brought in on Fridays.”
With attendance at the school spanning across four generations of the family, JoAnne said it was special to celebrate the anniversary with her mother and granddaughter.
Following the Mass, attendees gathered for morning tea, sharing their own stories and memories of the school from across the years.
The school’s centenary celebrations will continue throughout the year with 1920’s dress up days, time capsules, history assemblies and open days on the calendar.
As St Brigid’s begins its second century, the focus remains on continuing its mission: forming young people in faith, learning, and a deep sense of belonging.