1840
1840 St Patrick’s School 1840-1914
15 Old Menangle Road
On 17 March, Bishop Bede Polding blessed “the foundation of the new school named of St Patrick”.
Founded in 1840 by Irish Catholic lay people and one of the first schools in Australia to be established by private enterprise, St Patrick’s College has been transformative in the lives of generations of young people. We celebrate our rich history and traditions as each new cohort carries forward a legacy of strength, resilience and purpose.
St Patrick's School painting
Bishop Bede Polding
1870
First known St Patrick’s class photo circa 1870
1888
St Patrick’s Convent/School 1888-1969 – Second site
Bordered by Broughton, George and Sturt Streets, Campbelltown
The Sisters of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St Benedict established their convent, as well as a boarding school for female students, while continuing to provide primary day school education at St Patrick’s School.
St Patrick's Convent/School photo taken 2022
1888
Mother Mary Placid Caulfield sgs was appointed Principal of St Patrick’s Convent/School and St. Patrick’s School
She served in this role until her death on 15 November 1890.
Mother Mary Placid Caufield sgs: Image Courtesy of the Good Samaritan Congregational Archives
1891
St Patrick’s Convent School students
1904
St Patrick's Convent School students awarded the degree of Associate of the London College of Music 1904
1933
First annual Debutante Ball
Held on 22 August, the event was a College fundraiser.
1936
Pupil’s Certificate from Trinity College of Music London awarded to Miss HIlda Baxter, 1936
Students, 1936
1939
Mother M Veronica Morris sgs changed the name from St Patrick’s Convent/School to St Patrick’s College.
New letterhead and first College logo used by Mother Veronica
1945
First College crest, 1945
1959
College crest, 1959
St Patrick's first school bus and students in academic uniform, 1959
1960
Girls earn their Junior Bookkeeping Diplomas, 1960
1962
Debutante Ball, 1962
1963
First recorded high achievers on College Honour Board
School Captain: Helen Pletkan
Dux: Marjorie Bourke
1964
Whole school, 1964
1965
Form 5, 1965
1966
St Patrick’s becomes a six-year high school
St Patrick's becomes a six-year high school
1699
P&F Association formed
Mr Jack Ellich appointed the first President of the P&F.
1967
The first Higher School Certificate exams in NSW were held in 1967.
Army hut demountables, 1967 where some exams were held.
1969
St Patrick’s College moved to the College’s third and current location.
Last graduating class from “St Patrick’s School on the Hill”, 1969
1970
St Patrick’s College
4 St John’s Road
The girls’ school arrived on our current site for the beginning of the 1970 school year.
School leaving song, 1969/1970
1970s
Multi-Purpose Sports Courts opened as part of Sr M Coleman’s master building plan.
Winners of Bishop McCable Shield, Combined Good Samaritan Secondary Schools, circa 1971
Swim Squad Champions, 1975
1974
Form 6 Graduation, 1974
1980
First College Yearbook produced
College crest, 1980
1988
First Inside Out newsletter published
Newsletter, 20 July 1988
1990
28 October, Mary Sheil Centre opened and blessed
The College’s 150th anniversary mass was held in the Mary Sheil Centre prior to its completion.
1990
Alumni Association formed
It was first known as the Past Pupils Association.
Alumni member crest
1990s
The College crest underwent five transformations during the 90s
Crests 1990-1997
1991
St Patrick’s Child Care Centre opened
It was the first workplace child care facility in a non-government school in NSW.
1993
St Patrick’s College becomes a registered operator of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme
NSW State Award Committee Certificate, 1993
1999
Pirates of Penzance
The first combined College musical featuring St Patrick’s College girls and St Gregory’s College boys. It paved the way for a strong performing arts tradition that continues at the College today.
2000
Scholarship Fund established
Principal John Greene wanted to provide young women access to a St Patrick’s College education when their families would not otherwise be able to afford school tuition.
2002
Yandel’ora Reconciliation Garden opened
Yandel’ora is a Dharawal word meaning “a place of peace between peoples”. During the opening ceremony, which took place during Reconciliation Week, lyrebird grevilleas were planted. The garden was blessed by a traditional smoking ceremony and with holy water mixed with water from the Yandel’ora Garden dam.
Opening Yandel’ora Garden, 2002
2005
Sr Claudia Gearing sgs, a member of St Patrick’s College pastoral team, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia.
Sr Claudia Gearing sgs: Image Courtesy of the Good Samaritan Congregational Archives
2007
Good Samaritan Rose Garden established
The garden was planted outside the Library to celebrate 150 years of the founding of Australia’s first religious congregation of women, The Sisters of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St Benedict.
The garden features the “Good Samaritan Rose”, a commemorative variety of hybrid tea rose cultivated by Swane’s Nurseries for the Sisters.
2008
Inaugural International Women’s Day Breakfast
Guest speakers were alumnae Sr Geraldine Kearney, Class of 1971; and Emma Reynolds, Class of 1998.
L to R Emma Reynolds, Sue Lennox Principal and Sr Geraldine Kearney
2009
Inaugural Father-Daughter Dinner Dance
2011
First Mother-Daughter High Tea
Held in celebration of Mother’s Day, the event continues to be supported by the College’s P&F Association.
New College Crest for 2011
2013
First annual Emerald Gala Ball
First held on 9 March to align with St Patrick’s Day celebrations, the event was established as a fundraiser for College scholarships.
2016
Helen Foley Learning Centre opened
2019
Design Centre opened
The original building, erected in 1988, was renovated to accommodate specialty classrooms, open-plan learning spaces and equipment for state-of-the-art learning in Technology and Applied Studies.
2019
Students first marched in Anzac Day parades in the historical nurses’ uniforms they have become known for across the Macarthur community.
2022
New College Crest for 2022
2023
Scar Tree established
Scar Tree signifies our connection to the land on which we learn and work. It acknowledges Indigenous elders who walked on this land long before the school was built and their spiritual connection to this land.
2024
Sue Lennox Alumni Walk established
Developed by the Alumni Association, the walk features pavers engraved with the names and graduation years of past and present students and staff. The earliest dates commemorate Merle Logan, Class of 1938; Judith Logan, Class of 1940; Hilda Baxter, Class of 1938; and Phyllis Baxter, Class of 1939.
2024
History Club students earn the National Anzac Day Schools’ Award and the Brigadier Bill Rolfe AO Award for Veteran Involvement
The prestigious awards recognise the students’ passion project which recorded the stories of local servicemen and women, then built a website to publish their research.
The project was led by HSIE teacher and History Club Coordinator, Mrs Francesca Musico-Rullo.
2024
Pattie’s Café opened
This space allows VET/Cookery students to practise the skills required for work in commercial food service by serving staff and students’ cafe offerings at recess and before school.
2025
185th Anniversary Mass
The College celebrated its 185th anniversary year with a Legacy of Light Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on Wednesday 19 March.
185th Anniversary Mass