Principal’s Message

Dear parents and friends,

I warmly welcome you to the St Declan’s Catholic Primary School Penshurst. As Principal of the school, I am passionate about a holistic education for every student. One where their individuality is celebrated and they are challenged to continually reach their potential.

St Declan’s is a well-equipped, technology-vibrant primary school committed to our dual moral purpose of providing every student with a high quality education and developing in them an authentic and meaningful faith in partnership with parents and our parish.

Our teachers ensure they provide learning experiences that are accessible to every child and give them the opportunity to grow. Guided by our Vision for Learning: ‘Engage – Create – Collaborate’ we strive to ensure learning is contemporary, engaging and taps into the intrinsic motivation to make students curious and want to find problems as well as solve them.

Our school motto, ‘Never see a need without trying to do something about it,” challenges us to live out the Gospel message in the same way that Mary MacKillop did, through service and love of others. We strive to be Christians of the 21st century!

At St Declan’s we aspire to develop in all students a love of life-long learning, growth mindset and a passion for making a difference in our world. We look forward to the future with hope and trust in God.

In Christ,

Cathy Coman
Principal

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
our history
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.

our history
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.

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Proudly Part of the Community of Sydney Catholic Schools

Our school is part of a system of 147 low-fee Catholic schools in the Sydney Archdiocese.

Sydney Catholic Schools are thriving Catholic communities that ignite a love of Christ through excellent teaching and learning to empower students to reach their full potential.