Our Lady's Primary School, Wangaratta

Our Lady's is a faith community built on the Brigidine traditions to provide quality education and respect for all.

  • Simple Item 1
  • Simple Item 2
  • Simple Item 3
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

History

 

 

The rapid growth of Wangaratta after World War II inspired Monsignor Mahoney to secure land in White Street for the future expansion of Catholic education and parish life. In March 1958, Fr James Byrne was appointed to the newly formed Parish of Our Lady’s, and one of his first priorities was to establish a primary school to serve the growing South Wangaratta community.

With the support of the Brigidine Community, who agreed to provide teaching staff, construction began on a new school. On 7 December 1958, the Most Rev Dr Stewart blessed and officially opened Our Lady’s Primary School. The original building featured four classrooms and an administration area. Brigidine Sisters Magdolena, McNarmara and Regina Pelly became the school’s first teachers, warmly welcomed by the parish community. Ninety students enrolled in the opening year across Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 - filling only half of the available classrooms and leaving space for future growth.

As the Yarrunga area continued to expand throughout the 1960s and 1970s, so too did the school. The church was temporarily used as a classroom until two additional rooms were built along White Street. In the 1970s, the Infant and Junior School area was opened, greatly enhancing learning spaces for students and staff.

A major upgrade took place in 2003 with a full redevelopment of the school’s entrance, administration office and staffroom. Supported by a $201,900 Victorian State Government grant under the Needs-Based Capital Funding Program, this project gave the school a more modern and welcoming presence. Our Lady’s contributed an additional $5,000 to complete the works.

In 2010, as part of the Building the Education Revolution initiative, the original hall - once the parish church - was replaced with a new, purpose‑built facility. The surrounding playground improvements further enhanced the school environment, creating engaging and functional learning spaces for students.

Most recently, in 2020, the administration area underwent a significant refurbishment, refreshing the frontage of the school and aligning it with contemporary learning environments.

Across every era, Our Lady’s Primary School has remained committed to serving the children and families of our community. As we continue to grow, we look ahead with optimism, honouring our history while sharing the story of our wonderful school with future generations.

CEOSLOGO

Our Lady’s  Primary School provides a child-safe environment, where all students have the right to be treated with respect and dignity, and will be protected from harm.


The Sandhurst Catholic Education Office and Schools acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which their Offices and Schools are built. We commit to working in partnership with Aboriginal people for reconciliation and justice.

 KanePaintingStongerSmall