Over three action-packed days, the Bega community celebrated 150 Years of Catholic Education at St Patrick’s Primary School intertwined with St Patrick’s Day.

The reunion weekend opened with Mass on Friday, 15 March followed by a 150 Year themed Open Day with the school hall set up as a museum and art gallery where past students enjoyed finding their faces amongst the displays.

During the Open Day ‘Honour Assembly’ current students surprised guests with a joyful flash mob that ended with a student formation of ‘150’ on the oval.

On Saturday, the school proudly marched a St Patrick’s Day parade through the main streets of Bega, finishing the day with a Bush Dance and Dinner at the local Showground. A Parish Mass with Archbishop Christopher Prowse on Sunday signified the end of the historical school and community event.

Principal Jo Scott-Pegum said that she was overwhelmed with joy and reconnection experienced by all at the celebration.

“I felt honoured and privileged to be leading the school community at this significant time in our school journey and have been greatly encouraged by the strong community sentiment about the place of Catholic education throughout time and into the future,” she said.

“To have five priests concelebrating our opening event Mass including past student Fr Henry Byrne was very special.”

The sesquicentenary commemorated the opening of the Catholic Denominational School of Bega in 1869 by John Mangan, before the Sisters of Charity ran the school in 1884. In 1926 the Sisters of St Joseph took over the school that is now supported by the Archdiocese.

Highlights for students included Sr Josephine wearing her Sisters of St Joseph habit in the St Patrick’s Parade through town, meeting some of the Sisters of St Joseph, past staff and students.

Jo thanks the committee members who met over the past 18 months to plan the event, current staff, students, families and parishioners for their presence, support and welcome to all our visitors.

“We are so glad so many people travelled from near and far to celebrate their part in our school’s history,” she said.