More than 600 people gathered for a special community Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta to celebrate the 100th anniversary of St Patrick’s Primary Parramatta on 14 March 2026.
The Mass brought together students, families, alumni, staff and special guests to honour a century of faith, education and community at one of Australia’s most historic schools.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, State Member for Parramatta Donna Davis, Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Chief Executive Jack de Groot and Catholic Schools NSW Chief Executive Dallas McInerney joined the celebration, alongside past and present leaders of the school.
The school in its early days. Image: Supplied
Following the Mass, celebrations continued with an afternoon tea in the Cloister Hall, where families and alumni gathered to reconnect and reflect. Children played in the cathedral grounds while guests explored large-scale historical photographs of the school, many pausing to capture photos alongside the images.
St Patrick’s is one of Australia’s oldest parish schools, with origins dating back to 1820 when Fr John Therry established the first Catholic school in Parramatta. The school evolved under the care of the Sisters of Mercy before moving to its current Ross Street site in 1926. Today, it continues to honour that legacy while delivering contemporary, innovative education.
“When we speak of a school turning one hundred, we are not simply marking the passing of time or just remembering the history of a building,” said St Patrick’s Principal Bernadette Fabri. “We are in fact honouring every single person who has entered the gates of our school – the culture, the spirit, the sense of belonging that exists here did not happen by chance.”
The anniversary marks the beginning of a year-long program of celebrations for the school.
Students of St Patrick’s Primary during 100th anniversary mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Image: Gene Ramirez/ CSPD
Since 1926, the campus has expanded to include new buildings such as the infants block, a kindergarten facility and a hall opened in 2007, while classrooms have been modernised with contemporary learning technologies.
While the school has undergone physical changes, Mrs Fabri said the school’s core values have remained constant.
“I would like to think that this remains the case to this very day,” she said. “In the excellence of education provided and in the spirit of faith and community experienced by the St Patrick’s Parramatta community.”
St Patrick’s alumni and parent Elias Wehbe is proud that St Patrick’s had been part of his family for generations.
“I went to school there as a kid with my siblings, and now my own children are walking the same playground and classrooms I once did,” he said. “It represents a century of faith, education and community here in Parramatta. So much has changed, but the heart of the school remains the same.”
Principal Bernadette Fabri cutting the cake with students and Bishop Vincent, as Dean of the Cathedral Fr Robert Reidling looks on. Image: Gene Ramirez/ CSPD
Ms Fabri, who began her teaching career at St Patrick’s as a 21-year-old, described her connection to the school as a “gift”.
“What job enables you to journey with people over generations and with so much gratitude and love? It still takes my breath away,” she said.
Ms Fabri likened the school’s development to shaping clay, formed over time by those who have contributed to its life.
“Every teacher, every student, every family…they have all left a mark,” she said. “Today, as we celebrate one hundred years, we give thanks for every faithful fingerprint that has shaped this community.”
As St Patrick’s enters its second century on the site, the focus remains firmly on the future, continuing to evolve while staying true to the faith, values and sense of community that have defined the school for generations.
