History:
St Patrick’s Parish, Murrumbeena, was established in 1946. In that time the parish has had only four parish priests: Fr Bill Rovira (dec.), Fr Max Grabau (dec), Fr Bill Bainbridge (dec.) and Fr Barry Tobin, who took up his appointment in January 2004.
The school was conducted by the Sisters of the Presentation Order until 1973. Since then, the school has been staffed by lay principals and teachers. In the early 1960s the school population was well over 300 children, with large class sizes.
Additions to the school buildings were completed in 1972, with all funding provided by the parish. In 1997, two more classrooms were added, along with a new administration area and a multi-purpose room. In 1998 the old stables were demolished and a grassed area ('The Stable Green') was developed as a children’s playground. In 2005 the school undertook a major refurbishment program.
Description:
Set in suburban Melbourne, the school is located in a highly residential area with excellent park facilities nearby. As the school is well serviced by public transport networks, the children are able to participate in excursions, interschool sports and community activities.
Ninety per cent of the children are from Catholic families, with some children from other faith backgrounds, mainly Greek Orthodox or Anglican.
In 2006, St Patrick’s has a school population of approximately 270 children. Over the past few years, the school population has been slowly increasing. To meet the growing school population, the parish embarked on a building program in 1996. Two new classrooms and a new administration area were added. In 1998 a new grassed playground area was developed, and in 2005 extensive refurbishments of the school were undertaken.
In 2006 the staff at St Patrick’s consists of the Principal, 10 classroom teachers, and specialist teachers for Library, Art, Music, Italian, Information Technology and Reading Recovery, and teacher support and school secretary.
Features:
Our parish community is vitally interested in all aspects of the school and parish life. Fr Barry Tobin, our parish priest, is very supportive of the school and its relationship with the parish. There are many active groups in the parish catering for a wide range of talents and abilities that focus on the mission of the Church.
A Family Mass is celebrated normally every third Sunday of the month. This is a great opportunity for school families to join with the larger parish family. It is expected that families will participate in the Family Masses throughout the year.
In February 2003 St Patrick’s was partnered with St Kevin’s Parish, Ormond.