Why choose us?
St Declan’s Catholic Primary School Penshurst is a welcoming faith community where children care for one another and the teaching staff are collaborative, hard working, and focused on the best learning outcomes and opportunities of every child.
Parents are supportive of each other and the school, and they understand that they have a shared responsibility to create a harmonious school environment where their children can thrive. An interactive environment and strong involvement from parents, community and the parish makes St Declan’s a wonderful place to educate your child.
Principal’s Message
History
1900 – Penshurst is an outlying bushland district on the new Illawarra railway.
1907 – Fr O’Driscoll builds and opens St Declan’s Church/School on the present site. He arranges for the two Sisters of Charity to come there each day from their convent in Hurstville.
1908 – School has 71 pupils.
1914 – Sisters of Charity agree to hand over management of the school to the Sisters of St Joseph. The school develops as a primary school with classes from Kindergarten to sixth class. The older boys above third class, attend the Marist Brothers School at Kogarah.
1960’s – Archdiocesan authorities rationalise the provision of Catholic education, and by 1968, secondary classes are ended at St Declan’s.
1972 – A new classroom wing is constructed, and in 1990 an administration, staff area and library is added. Enrolments remain strong.
1986 – Sisters of St Joseph end their 70-year leadership of the school.
1993 – Marist Brothers’ Penshurst end primary classes and St Declan’s becomes a fully co-educational primary school with classes from Kindergarten to Year 6.
2000 – There are 427 boys and girls from Kindergarten to Year 6.
2005 – Plans commence to once again extend the school. Property is purchased adjacent to the school and plans are drawn for new buildings and the refurbishment of older ones. The Resource Centre is also refurbished.
2010 – The new buildings are completed and in 2011, they are officially blessed and opened.
Mission
With Jesus as our model and in the tradition of Mary MacKillop, we strive to educate our students by challenging and encouraging them to reach their full potential.
We are committed to bringing to life our school motto ‘Love and Learn’.
Vision
- Learning Forever
- Growing Together
- Living our Faith
We are committed to empowering learners who value lifelong learning. We challenge all students and staff to reach their potential within a safe and supportive environment. We provide opportunities for each individual to successfully develop as engaged, creative and collaborative learners.
We nurture positive and meaningful partnerships where all members of our community are valued and respected and share a sense of belonging.
Inspired by the example of Mary MacKillop, we demonstrate compassion for others and aspire to be Christ-centred in our words and actions, responding to our responsibilities as stewards of creation.
Mass Times
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 6.45am
- Tuesday, Thursday: 9.15am
- Saturday: 8.00am, 6.00pm
- Sunday: 7.00am, 9.00am, 11.00am, 6.00pm
- Communion Services: Tuesday 6.45am, Thursday 6.45am
- Public Holidays: 9.15am Mass
- Confession/Reconciliation: Saturday 5–5.30pm
For more information visit the Parish Website.
