First class day as former staff share living history
By Wendy Shaw
Reflecting on the history of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School at Devonport and the charism of the founding Sisters of St Joseph was the motivation for a special gathering of past and present staff.
Former staff from around the state shared insights and happy memories at the event titled ‘Footprints of Our Lady of Lourdes: A Gathering’ on 27 July, a student-free day before the start of term three.
Current principal Emily Sass explained the event was the staff formation, or spirituality, day.
“I am really interested in the stories and the people who have worked here and ‘walked’ the path before us,” she said.
“There are so many people who have done so much and made so many contributions, and we need to keep these stories alive. This was an opportunity to hear some of those stories first hand and meet in person the legends that people talk about.”
The day began with current staff taking a pilgrimage to the site of the original school, a cottage over the road from the present site. That one-room school opened in January 1891 when three Sisters moved into the sandstone building, under the leadership of the first principal, Sr Francis McCarthy.
Today, the school has a staff of 80 with 460 students from kindergarten to grade 6.
“Understanding the charism and contributions of the Sisters of St Joseph helps us to know and understand our history,” Mrs Sass said.
“Passing on the living history of the Sisters of St Joseph is the responsibility of all of us, and especially me as principal—the history and values of the Sisters and how they can be translated into modern day life.
“Those values are still very relevant today.”
The school lives out Jesus’ message through its Josephite charism: ‘Compassion, Humility, Simplicity, Dignity, Justice, Trust in God’.
Sr Val Becker taught prep from 1974 to ’76.
“They were happy years really,” Sr Val recalled. “We had four new classrooms and the library was built. There were three Sisters of St Joseph and the rest were lay staff. Sr Alacoque Cornish, who was here for a long time, was the principal.”
Matt Jones, now a Deputy Director for Catholic Education Tasmania, was principal from 2007 to 2011.
“I often say that for my family and I, this was one of our favourite periods,” he said.
“We look back on it fondly, personally and professionally. We are very nostalgic about it.”
Dr George Toepfer returned to Tasmania from Victoria to begin a long career in leadership with CET when he served as Vice Principal from 1980 to ’82.
“My years here were interesting,” he said. “I enjoyed it. I met some fantastic people and formed friendships that have endured.”
He went on to become the first principal of John Paul II Catholic School at Rokeby for eight years, followed by 11 years at St John’s Richmond and seven at St Paul’s Bridgewater.
Friends of retired infant teacher Marlene Heazlewood joke that there should be a wing of the school named after her, given her family’s extensive links.
Mrs Heazlewood followed in the footsteps of her father, Ron Bramich, in attending the school. Her son and daughter, and her grandson, also followed suit. Mrs Heazlewood was on the staff for 28 years from 1978, and later volunteered as grandparent help after her retirement.
Her daughter, Jane Heatley, now CET system manager for curriculum and pedagogy based in Ulverstone, was a teacher at OLOL from 2011 to 2020.
“I would sum up OLOL in a few words as warm, welcoming, nurturing—it felt like family—and learning,” Mrs Heatley said.
Mrs Sass echoed those sentiments, saying the gathering was a happy event of warmth, welcome, memories and connection.