St John's school celebrates 100th birthday
St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School has created a webpage for its 100th birthday, giving a short history of the school.
"We are filled with pride and honour to be celebrating our school's 100th birthday in June this year," said principal Ms Nicole Davies.
"It's truly a remarkable milestone, one that we wouldn't have achieved so aptly without the unwavering care and commitment demonstrated by countless generations here on the beautiful Woy Woy Peninsula.
"We extend our heartfelt appreciation to each and every student, parent, carer, principal, teacher, staff member, sister of St. Joseph, parishioner, and volunteer who has contributed to our thriving school community throughout this remarkable century."
Ms Davies said their "invaluable support and dedication" had been instrumental in our school continuing to grow from strength to strength.
The webpage describes how the Peninsula's population was growing in the 1920s, but "even then it was a little oasis all of its own".
"Popular local haunts included the Woy Woy cinema and post office on Blackwall Rd, a mini golf course, a roller-skating hall on The Esplanade at Ettalong and the Woy Woy dance pavilion.
"The Woy Woy rail bridge provided connection to Gosford.
"St John the Baptist church opened in 1914.
"His grace Michael Kelly Archbishop of Sydney journeyed to Woy Woy to perform a blessing of the new church with a mass celebrated by Father Fabian Dwyer.
"Prior to 1914, mass was held in private homes.
"A growing population necessitated a school, and the Church was first used for a school in 1922 with classes of around 50 children.
"Outside mass times, church pews were used as desks and cloth curtains hung to separate areas of the hall to facilitate lessons.
"Sisters of St Joseph, who had arrived at Kincumber as early as 1887, commuted daily by train from Gosford to teach.
"A house was bought in Victoria Rd, Woy Woy, in the 1930s and became a convent for three resident sisters."
"Between 1922 and 1950, the school was divided into streams, outgrowing the church hall.
"The school, in 1953, was divided into three purpose-built classrooms behind the church to accommodate its increasing numbers.
"An additional kindergarten building was built in 1954 to take up to 100 children.
"It was not long after this that movement was afoot to procure land for the relocation of St John the Baptist School to a bigger site.
"St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School was rebuilt on its present site at Dulkara Rd Woy Woy in 1978 and was in operation in 1979."
The school currently has 530 students and 56 staff.
Ms Davies said the school's patron saint was St John the Baptist, "the greatest prophet of hope, who has inspired us over this past century to show courage in times of adversity and persevere in the pursuit of our hopes and dreams".
"Through his example and inspiration, we derive our school motto: Honour through Faith.
"Our school is a place of dignity, compassion and high expectations where the presence of God underpins all we do and are."
SOURCE:
Website, 8 Jun 2023
Nicole Davies, SJB Catholic Primary School