Stella Maris Shellharbour celebrates 60 years

The weekend of May 20 marked the 60th anniversary of the opening of Stella Maris Primary School Shellharbour.

Sr M. Regina, known to us now as Sr Kathleen Munce RSC, was the inaugural Principal followed by several other RSCs and concluding with Sr Colleen Mills who handed over to the first Lay Principal four years ago.

On Sunday, May 20 Srs Kerry Barrass, Colleen Mills, Jean Montgomery, Margaret Valentine, and Margaret Fitzgerald participated in the 9 am parish Eucharist in All Saints Church that included a homily and prayers celebrating this significant event. Following the Mass, more than 200 people enjoyed a BBQ in the school grounds, tours of the school, display of memorabilia and placing of a time capsule that will be opened in 2058.

At school on Monday, the children dressed up in 1950s clothes and were shown how to play games of the time: Marbles, jacks, hopscotch and elastics. (Image above from The Illawarra Mercury.) (Are you starting to feel your age?)

The next day, Tuesday, May 22 Kerry, Anne Taylor and Margaret Beirne attended a special tribute to the Sisters of Charity and the Foundation Day Awards Assembly. Year 2 students entertained fellow students, parents and guests with a fabulous re-enactment of our story – from Mary Aikenhead, the arrival of the first five Sisters, our ministries in education, health and pastoral care, right through to the founding of Stella Maris and up to now.

After “Mary Aikenhead” (aged 7) had farewelled the five Sisters, she climbed into her wheelchair where she remained, closely observing the rest of the performance. In his enthusiasm “Archbishop Polding” waved enthusiastically to his mother (in the audience) as he arrived on the stage!

Another highlight was the school choir’s rendition of The Charity of Christ and a song especially written as a tribute to the Sisters of Charity by a member of staff. It was altogether a most enjoyable and heart-warming event.

PRINCIPALS

Stella Maris Primary School Shellharbour
1958 – 1959 Sr Kathleen Munce
1959 – 1964 Sr Aloysia Weston (RIP)
1965 – 1970 Sr Kathleen Munce
1971 – 1976 Sr Virginia Wilkinson
1977 – 1978 Sr Judith Garvey
1979 – 1982 Sr Margaret Guy
1983 – 1989 Sr Patricia Walker
1990 – 1999 Sr Edith King
2000 – 2009 Sr Colleen Mills
2010 – 2013 Mr Paul Brady
2014 – 2015 Mr Frank Wafer
2015 – 2015 Mrs Jan Hutton
2016 – Present Mr Danny Sykes