History

Houses our Year 3-6 classes. It was gutted by fire early in 2016 and, as a result, was extensively renovated over the following year. The Mackillop block was named after St Mary of the Cross, Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first Saint, and the founder of the Josephite Order who, in living the Gospel, recognised and valued the human dignity of each person.

Currently houses our Year 1 and 2 classrooms. It is named after Sister Ursula, the first principal of the school. She was continually trying to improve the conditions for the Sisters and was responsible for organising the funds needed for the building of the convent in Moran Street. Ursula became ill and was in hospital in Kalgoorlie at the time the new convent was blessed and opened in September 1904, dying in hospital in October of that year. Ursula was the first Sister of St Joseph to be buried in Kalgoorlie.  She was a wonderful example of the selflessness, determination and enthusiasm of the Josephites in the face of adversity that has been present in our school from the beginning.

This is our early childhood centre, containing our Pre-Kindy, Kindy and Pre-Primary classrooms. This building (comprised of a number of demountable structures) was brought across from the Wittenoom Street site and were originally dedicated to Sister Celsus in 1992 at the opening of the Pre Primary. Sister Celsus was Principal and Convent Supervisor from 1967 – 1972, at a time when the school offered education from Year 1 – 10. Sister Celsus returned to the Goldfields in 1980 and taught at Prendiville for four years. In 1986 Sister Celsus returned again as a home school Liaison Officer at John Paul College. Her gentleness, dedication, enthusiasm and respect for each person provide a Christian example for our students.  Sr Celsus passed away in 2005. The Celsus block underwent extensive renovations in 2020 and 2021 to become a purpose-built environment for high-quality early childhood pedagogy.The details in the work show the designer’s heart.

It was opened in 2010, funded by the Federal Government Building the Education Revolution money.  The Wittenoom Library was named after the old Wittenoom Street school location, at which three generations of pupils studied.

This is our large undercover area. Opened in 2010, funded by the Federal Government Building the Education Revolution grant, the school doubled the size of its old assembly area. Attached to this area are a modern multipurpose room and toilet facilities. The name Kamballie Grandstand again is linked to the Sisters of Saint Joseph’s as the initial, temporary location of the school was in Kamballie, close to the Boulder Race Course. The bell used to start the horse races was donated to the school and is now used at various times throughout the school day.