St Joseph’s School celebrates 100 years of Catholic education
See the old photos, watch a video and hear the stories from this Murray Bridge school's 100th anniversary gala.
This story is now free to read. Help Murray Bridge News tell more stories like this by subscribing today.
A century has passed since the Sisters of St Joseph opened a convent in Murray Bridge and welcomed more than 100 students to their humble two-room Catholic school.
Times have changed since then in many ways – the school is bigger than ever and still growing, and is led by lay teaching staff rather than nuns in habits.
But the values and bonds that have bound the St Joseph’s School community together are still as strong as they were in 1925, having been handed down through generations of students and staff.
On Saturday night they came together, young and old, to celebrate a century of Catholic education.
Ros Oates said she was immensely proud to serve as the school’s principal during its 100th year, and to follow in the footsteps of Australia’s trailblazing saint.
“This gala dinner marks the centenary of learning, growth and achievement, and pays tribute to the remarkable legacy established by the Sisters of St Joseph,” she said.
“(Mary MacKillop’s) commitment to education and courageous stance for her beliefs are something to be admired.
“Like many Australians, I find inspiration … in her ability to persevere, advocate for those in need, and rise above adversity – qualities that echo the daily endeavours we undertake in our mission to teach and guide the next generation of learners.”
Sister Brigette Sipa, representing St Mary’s Josephite order, urged the community to keep walking in her footsteps by upholding the school’s motto: “in all things kindness”.
“Small acts of kindness have the power to be extraordinary,” she said.
“May the next hundred years be just as inspiring and faith-filled as the first.”
School was different in those days
Another special guest at the gala event was Jeff Martin, the oldest student present on the night.
He shared stories of his time at the school in the 1940s and 50s, when it consisted of three classrooms and a tennis court.
A typical day started with marching, to the beat of a big bass drum, in brown uniforms, socks and sandals.
Ink wells needed to be filled every Monday morning … giving young Jeff an opportunity to play a prank.
He recalled finding a gecko, dipping its feet in ink and dropping it onto a classmate’s nice, clean workbook – a stunt for which he had to write out 100 lines.
School uniforms have certainly changed since the early days; the third and fourth photos were taken in 1969, and the last one in 2000. Photos: St Joseph's School.
It could have been worse, though.
“I was the recipient of my fair share of straps from the nuns,” he recalled.
“One day I flinched as the sister came down with the strap, I pulled away and it hit her on the thigh.
“I was gifted another three belts for that.”
Sport was not a big part of the Catholic curriculum, with the exception of netball for the senior girls; the boys would gladly volunteer to stand in as their opponents at training.
But students did take swimming lessons at the government school across the road, Mr Martin said, taught by a one-legged World War II veteran who could out-pace them all in the little pool.
He was grateful for the discipline and concentration his schooling had given him, he said.
Event MCs Josh Law and Michael Gates shared more common memories of the school over the years: chocolate milk and sausage rolls from the canteen, hessian pencil cases, learning to play the recorder, and the sisters swinging their rosary beads as they paced down Mannum Road.
“More than just a school, it’s a place filled with memories and life-long traditions,” the recently retired Mr Gates said.
“We honour the past, celebrate the present and look forward to the future.”
Staff members recognised, time capsule opened
The gala event also included the opening of a time capsule which had been buried at the school in 1992.
Several former students were plucked out of the audience and asked about the artworks or writings they had left inside, and a letter was read from Sister Elizabeth Murphy.
Some of the school’s longest-serving staff members were recognised with certificates, including a handful – Kath O’Neil, Sue Christian, Deb Holland, Lynne Liebich, Carol Rowland, Michael Gates and Elizabeth Kwan – who had spent more than 25 years at St Joseph’s.
At the gala are Joshua Law and Shane Williss; Father Philip Marshall; Sister Brigette Sipa; Deb Holland; and principals Brady Stallard, Mark Corrigan, Sonja Smith and Ros Oates. Photos: Peri Strathearn.
A centennial mass was held at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Murray Bridge, on the morning after the gala event, just up the road from an unrelated centenary service at Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
Several other, more affordable centennial events are being planned for later this year.
The original St Joseph’s Convent opened on January 25, 1925 in response to community calls for Catholic education to be made available locally.
Two stone classrooms were built in 1934, and much more development has followed in the years since, including – most recently – the construction of the Tenison Woods Building in 2021-22.
The school hired its first male teacher in 1974, its first lay teacher in 1975 and its first lay principal – heralding an end to the Sisters of St Joseph’s direct involvement – in 1998.
It had grown to 431 students by last year, according to MySchool.
- More photos: St Joseph’s School 100 years
- Read more: St Joseph’s School celebrates 100 years of history
