IN 1898, the Sisters of Mercy walked from Gunnedah to the black-soil plains in north-western New South Wales to establish a Catholic school and convent on the eastern side of Moree.

Led by Mother Aloysius, the Sisters of Mercy, a Catholic order founded in 1831 by Sister Catherine McAuley, established a convent and school in Warialda Street, behind St Henry’s, a small, timber church built in 1884 on land donated by Joseph Jurd.

The school was officially opened on Monday, April 17, 1899, but the sisters’ work expanded beyond teaching to include pastoral care and support for district families.

At the time, the Gwydir Examiner and Moree General Advertiser reported “for the purpose of a primary school, the new building is admirably adapted, being spacious with lofty ceilings, well-lighted and possessing thorough ventilation”.

The sisters opened the school with an attendance of about 50 students, which increased considerably by the end of the first week.

“The school is entirely under the charge of the nuns, who are subject solely to their Diocesan, the

Right Reverend Dr Elzear Torreggiani, Roman Catholic Bishop of Armidale,” the Gwydir Examiner reported.

“They have also established a high school, which will enable this community to benefit to the fullest extent from the educational qualifications of the Sisterhood. This branch of their teaching work will be conducted in the building which the nuns have secured as a temporary convent, and five pupils have already entered.”

The Sisters of Mercy lived in a small weatherboard house, with one room serving as the school-room. By the turn of the century, they moved to west Moree, where they established St Philomena’s School in Iris Street.

In 1970, the school relocated to the current Boston Street site and, last Thursday, major campus upgrades were officially opened and blessed by Bishop Peter Murphy.

The multi-million-dollar expansion includes state-of-the-art learning spaces and an expansive administration block.

Special guests at Thursday’s official opening included Armidale Catholic Schools director Regina Menz, Catholic schools NSW CEO Dallas McInerney, Sharon Cooke from Catholic Schools NSW, Moree Plains Shire mayor Susannah Pearse and deputy mayor, Wayne Tighe, Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey and his wife, Judy, and State Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan and his wife Catherine, a St Philomena’s staff member who emceed the ceremony.

“It only seems like the other day when this building was first spoken about,” Mr Moylan said.

“A lot of time has passed since then, and to actually stand here now and see the building constructed is fantastic.

“I think if the Sisters of Mercy who walked to Moree in 1898 looked at our school now, they would be very proud.

“They’d be proud of the buildings, but I think they’d be especially proud of the lessons our kids are learning as well.

“I’m a parent here, and I’m deeply grateful for the teaching staff and the lessons our kids learn,” he said.

“It’s not just the reading, writing and arithmetic, it’s the lessons that are fundamental to a Catholic education – to be humble, to have a deep love of God, be respectful to each other, help each other, and to always do your best – whether that’s in school or sport, or just being the very best friend you can be to your mates.

“They’re the lessons that are fundamental to a Catholic education, and they are the lessons our wonderful staff are providing for the kids.

“If the Sisters of Mercy could look ahead to now, they would be very proud,” Mr Moylan said.

The new building, delivered by North Construction, Glendenning Szoboszlay Architects and Regional Project Managers Australia, was more than two years in the making.

The design and build was made possible through a $3 million contribution from the NSW Government and a donation of $1 million from sisters Robina Teitzel and Ivy Lillicrap, bequeathed many years ago specifically for the future development of St Philomena’s School.

Ivy passed away in 1975, aged 81, and her sister, Robina, passed away six years later, aged 75.

St Philomena’s principal, Alistair Stewart, on Thursday welcomed parents, staff, students and the wider Moree community to the new school building.

“As with any project of this scale, there is always a horizon, an end point, a place to focus our efforts,” Mr Stewart said.

“Well, today, we have reached it. These new and refurbished spaces are designed to be future-focused and collaborative.

“They are the engine rooms where we will deliver the Armidale Catholic Schools vision.

“We are a proud member of the Armidale Catholic Schools system, and we carry our Catholic identity with great conviction,” he said.

“This build is the next chapter in our commitment to this region. It ensures that any family in Moree or our surrounding towns looking for a Catholic education has access to contemporary learning facilities that matches the high standard of learning that is already happening inside our school,” he said.

“This is not just a school upgrade; it is an investment in Moree’s future.

“Having completed this build, it is now our time to grow. We have a responsibility to utilise this investment to provide the best possible education, ensuring St Philomena’s students and their families flourish,” he said.

“We are proud of our Catholic Identity, we are proud of these new spaces, and we are incredibly proud of the students who will fill them.

“This brings forward a new era of learning at St Philomena’s,” Mr Stewart said.