St Patrick's celebrates '60 years of 60,000'
Schools
More than 500 people gathered at St Patrick’s School at Mansfield Park on Sunday October 27 to celebrate the school’s 60th birthday.
With a theme of ‘60 years of 60,000 – Celebrating our story of Diversity and Welcoming All’, the event attracted past and present members of the school community including Josephite Sisters, staff, students and their families.
Kaurna elder Robert Taylor provided a powerful and moving Welcome to Country and Smoking ceremony followed by the unveiling of a mural depicting the story of the school, created by artist David Booth and current students.
A liturgy featuring many different religious and cultural groups was presided over by Fr Robert Rice, who has had a long association with the school. He described it as a continuing oasis for the community.
Students joined in a song ‘Walking next to you’ written by acting principal Gennaro Mannella encapsulating the ever-present spirit of solidarity.
Principal Barbara Ahern and previous leaders Sr Theresa Swiggs and Sr Brigitte Sipa were presented with commemorative gifts to mark the occasion.
Speakers in the morning included Dr Jill Gowdie, director of Catholic Identity and Mission, 
Catholic Education SA, and Ms Claire Boan, mayor of the City of Port Adelaide Enfield.
A program of cultural dances, sharing of food and opportunities for families to see student learning through an arts expo, classroom displays of literacy and numeracy, social skills and extra-curricular activities were other highlights of the day.
Ms Ahern said the 60th birthday was a “joyous occasion celebrating the history and uniqueness of St Patrick’s school as a place of spiritual connection throughout time, of ongoing learning excellence and most importantly as a place of welcome and wellbeing for all”.
“It was a day that will surely be remembered by those who attended, showing us how together we can imagine a brighter world for future generations.”
