St Patrick’s School has nurtured its Catholic Identity to reflect the life, work, and teaching of Jesus Christ and the evangelizing mission of the Catholic Church. The daily interactions among all members of our school community reflect belief in and commitment to the Catholic Identity of our school.
Our Catholic identity is enacted through our motto – Living, Loving, and Learning in Christ. We do this through the nurturing of Christian values; strengthened by the Religious Education curriculum, the Sacramental programs, prayer life, social justice initiatives, student leadership, and our links with parish and community.
Brigidine Sisters
The Brigidine Sisters founded St Patrick’s Primary School in 1888, and have been an important part of Catholic Education Wangaratta history.
The Brigidine Sisters follow their patroness, St.Brigid of Kildare who cared for the earth, for justice and equality, for peace and reconciliation. The Brigidine Charism is one of Strength and Kindliness, and guides our school to live in a manner that is faithful to the teachings of Jesus and inspired by the Brigidine values.
Sacramental Program
St Patrick’s School celebrates the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation within the school with the support of the Parish community. The Sandhurst Diocese’s Steps in Faith Sacramental Program provides a spiritually enriching connection between the parish, school, and family. Students continue to develop their understanding of the Sacraments and how they relate to their own lives during Religious Education in the classroom. The whole school supports the Sacramental program by continuing the learning through the Source of Life Sacramental units.
School and Parish Relationship
St Patrick’s Primary School and St Patrick’s Parish Church enjoy a strong relationship. Classes regularly attend Parish Masses, where students are provided with the opportunity to worship, share the sacrament of communion with the parish and actively participate as readers and altar servers.
The St Patrick’s school and parish communities are also provided opportunities to come together for Beginning and End of Year Masses, St Patrick’s Feast Day as well as Christmas and Easter Masses.
Liturgies and Masses
Liturgies and Masses are regularly celebrated both at school and at St Patrick’s Church as they are an important part of our faith formation. Our school community is invited to celebrate these occasions.
St Patrick’s School Prayer
Loving God,
Bless our school as we gather today,
Be with us in every way.
Living, loving, and learning through you,
May we be guided in all we do.
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. (respond) Pray for us.
St Patrick, (respond) Pray for us.
First Nations Australians Education
Educating about the truthful history of the First Nations Australian is an important part of St Patrick’s Primary School. Our F.I.R.E Carriers program educates our students about Reconciliation and ensures the First Nations history is integrated throughout the curriculum. Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week is celebrated through school liturgies and classroom activities.
