History:
St Mary's School is part of the St Mary of the Angels Parish, Geelong. The school is one of the oldest in Geelong, beginning in the 1850s as a boys' school in a wooden building near St Mary's Church.
In 1892, St Mary’s Hall was opened. This was used by the Sisters of Mercy as a school for girls and infant boys of St Mary’s who had previously been taught by lay teachers. An increase in student numbers resulted in the opening of a two-roomed brick school in 1907.
In 1910 the hall underwent renovations. Despite this St Mary’s Hall was inadequate and unsatisfactory for both nuns and pupils, and a more conventional girls' primary school was required. The boys' school behind St Mary’s Church was also sadly out-dated and cramped.
In 1918 Archpriest McKenna instigated a fund-raising campaign to build two new schools. In June it was decided that only a girls' school would be built on land next to the hall. By 9 August 1918, work had commenced on the constructions of the new St Mary’s Girls School in Myers Street. Despite many setbacks the school received its finishing touches in April 1919 and recorded a school enrolment of 302. Parish archives describe the school as '…the most up-to-date of its kind in Geelong. There were six classrooms with accommodation for 300 children and other rooms were: a cloakroom, teachers' room and a toilet. The building itself had a tiled roof, and a corridor of tiles laid on reinforced concrete. The brick work was offset outside by Barrabool freestone which was also used to support the flight of Footscray bluestone steps leading to the main entrance, with the whole building having a semi-classical feeling about it. Finally by May 1919, the Sisters of Mercy occupied their new primary school for the first time'.
St Mary’s School remained on the Myers Street site until 2010. In 2010 the school was relocated to its present site on Little Myers St opposite St Mary of the Angels Basilica as part of the parish precinct.
Description:
St Mary’s School is one of four Catholic primary schools in the parish of St Mary of the Angels, Geelong. The parish cluster schools include St Robert’s School, Newtown, St Margaret’s School, Geelong East, Christ the King, Newcomb, and St Mary’s School, Geelong.
St Mary’s School has a close partnership with the parish cluster schools and all are actively involved in parish sacramental programs, liturgies and the faith development of the children within the parish of St Mary of the Angels.
An extensive building program has seen the former Catholic Regional College next to the parish centre, completely rebuilt and extended to house a modern, new school. The master plan maintained the existing footprint of the school including modern features to support contemporary learning and teaching approaches at St Mary’s School.
The two-storey building includes four large learning areas, housing twelve class groupings which are flexible in design allowing for differentiated learning, a multipurpose area, a library area, an administration area, meeting spaces and planning room, a staff room and a large atrium. A lift is available to the second level and ramps provide easy access for those with disabilities.
The one-hectare school site has been carefully landscaped to provide two adventure playgrounds, grassed playing area, an asphalt playing area, attractive gardens and seating areas. An adjacent drive-through on the property provides easy access for parents to drop off and pick up children.
Features:
At St Mary’s School,we support one another to participate in the life of this community through open communication and relationships that are based on values of the Gospel. Education in Faith is a key component of the Catholic tradition at St Mary’s School inclusive of Christian values and principles.
At St Mary's School we encourage one another to participate in the life of the Catholic community by providing opportunities for students and parents to be involved in parish and school liturgy celebrations.
With an emphasis on providing a comprehensive curriculum catering for the needs of all, St Mary’s priority is for students to see themselves as life-long learners who are empowered to successfully meet the demands of the wider world.
The staff at St Mary’s School provide a well-rounded education and encourage each student to reach their full potential. Staff aim to work in partnership with parents and students in fostering and developing student potential through the provision of a positive and vibrant learning environment.
At St Mary’s School, the wellbeing of all is a priority and is validated through the various programs and structures we have in place to empower children. Underpinning our learning and teaching philosophy we believe there is a significant link between academic achievement and social and emotional wellbeing. Children engage and learn best when there is a positive balance between these elements.