50 years of Catholic education celebrated at Woody Point

Southern Cross Catholic College
Current and former leaders from Our Lady of Lourdes School and SCCC joined  Parish Priest Fr Bob Harwood for birthday celebrations 

IT may be the smallest of four campuses, but Southern Cross Catholic College, Scarborough's Woody Point community certainly knows how to throw a big party.

The campus, formally Our Lady of Lourdes School, celebrated 50 years of Catholic education in a big way when current and former principals, heads of campus, staff members and students gathered to rekindle friendships and share memories of the early days.

They were joined by parents and the wider community whose support over those fantastic years facilitated the transformation of the campus into what it was today.

Opening in 1969 as Our Lady of Lourdes, under the administration of the Brigidine Sisters, the campus started life as a converted army hut containing three classrooms, two teachers and more than 60 students.

Foundation Principal Sr Patricia Buckley (Columba) remembered the involvement of parents and the extended school community being fundamental to the smooth running of the school.

“The overwhelming memory I have is of the wonderful community spirit of the school," she said.

“From the very first day the mothers rostered themselves to do playground duty so that Mrs Kennedy and I could have a lunch break.

“Then after lunch they would clean the toilets.

“They were so thoughtful and generous."

Parent participation ranged from building fences around the school to planting grass on the oval's infamous red soil and baking pikelets and patty cakes for the school's tuckshop.

Current Principal Brett Horton said the community spirit for which the campus was still known, was evident, even after 50 years.

“What I see when I look out in front of me is love.

“The love of this school has brought you back to share memories and meet old friends.

“It is a privilege to be a part of the legacy you created and to celebrate with you all today."

The day included a celebration Mass, lunch, campus tours, face painting, choir performances and an archival display.

In 1995 Our Lady of Lourdes amalgamated with the six other Catholic schools on the Redcliffe Peninsula to form what was today Southern Cross Catholic College.​

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