OLD friendships were rekindled and many new friendships began when St Joseph’s School marked 100 years of Catholic education in Gayndah,.
The weekend-long festivities in one of Queensland’s oldest towns began with a picnic on the oval.
Year 6 student leaders stood out from the crowd in their green centenary shirts as they led guests on school tours.
Past, present and future students, staff and parents and special guests were also treated to student performances, memorabilia and history displays.
Parents and staff later enjoyed a wine and cheese evening at the Gayndah Art Gallery (formerly the old convent building).
Sunday began with a Centenary Mass in the St Joseph's Sports Centre concelebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Ken Howell and Gayndah Parish Administrator Fr Adrian Farrelly.
Among the congregation were some very special guests - Good Samaritan Sisters, the order who founded the school in 1919.
Following Mass, Years 6 student laid special pavers in the school’s Senior Walk as a reminder of their time at the primary school.
On the Monday a film crew turned up to the school to make a documentary about marking the milestone.
Staff get into party mode as St Joseph’s hit the 100 mark
Principal Terese Shephard it was an amazing weekend filled with plenty of joy and laughter.
Ms Shephard said stories shared on the schools centenary Facebook page by former students had been fascinating to read.
“We have been delighted by tales of riding horses to school and the mischief some students got up to.”
She said when the school opened on October 6, 1919, there were 56 students.
“No doubt those first students would hardly recognise the classrooms of our 21st-century learners with iPads and SMART boards.”
She said since those early years, many Sisters, students, staff and events had come and gone and left their impressions on the school.
“We’ve witnessed lots of changes in the past 100 years but there was much that the school retained including the Benedictine Charism of the Good Samaritan Sisters.
“These values are underpinned by the word of God and prayer and expressed through the school prayer and song.
“They are practiced in the daily interactions between all members of the school community.”
Ms Shephard thanked the Parish for their support, BCE’s MusicFire Band for the music, the P&F volunteers for their assistance and staff who had served the community over the past 100 years, beginning with the Sisters of the Good Samaritan.
Celebrating 100 years of Catholic education in Gayndah