St Bernard’s Parish Primary School is older than federation and its teachers want their students to know its history.
The Bacchus Marsh school is preparing to celebrate its 125th anniversary next month.
The earliest records of the Fisken Street school date back to 1863. The school moved to its current site on Gisborne Road in 1890 when the Sisters of St Joseph, led by now-Saint Mary MacKillop, began teaching 60 students.
Since then, the school has grown to 250 students, new buildings have been built and education has changed forever.
Assistant principal Kathy Williams believes it’s important that her students learn about their past.
“I think they need to connect with their community’s history,” she said.
“We’re very proud of the history of the school, very proud that the first saint of Australia founded the school.”
To celebrate the anniversary, teachers and students will hold a commemorative procession on July 31, from the school’s original site to its present one.
Staff and students will dress in period style and play games and activities popular in the 1890s.
