History

St Brigid’s Catholic School History

In 1923, five Sisters from the religious order, the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart arrived in the seaport town of Wynyard to establish and teach at the new school, St Brigid’s. The Sisters were met at the railway station by the Parish priest Father Patrick Fanning MSC.

The foundation stone of the convent and the school, dedicated to St Brigid and on the site of the old Catholic Church, was laid by Archbishop Barry, on 16^th October 1922. The five Sisters of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart commenced teaching within four days of the newly erected school that was designed by Father Fanning MSC. The school had fifty four students in the first year, including three boarders.

The new Wynyard community consisted of Sisters Joan of Arc McQuillen, Dominica O’Sullivan, Kieran Doyle, Ignatius O’Connor and St John Barth. By the 17^th February 1923, the Sisters were embedded in the convent and on March 2^nd 1923, the new Wynyard community officially consecrated itself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, constituting Him the head of their religious family. 

By May 3rd, 1923, both the convent and school received the official blessing by Archbishop Daniel Mannix of Melbourne then on tour of Tasmania. This event was witnessed by Archbishop William Barry, Archbishop of Hobart, several visiting priests, students, families and guests. 

Sister Joan of Arc McQuillen

One of the five sisters who initially arrived in 1923 to begin work at the new school, Sister Joan of Arc McQuillen, was known for her teaching, both at the school and, instructing country children about the Catholic faith. 

The Wynyard Presbytery – now a well-known land-mark in Wynyard, was built in 1937 when Father Richard Scarfe was Parish Priest. The Foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Simonds on 28^th October 1937.

Father Robert Kennedy 1950-1956

During his six years at Wynyard Father Kennedy built the Hall, which could be used as two classrooms on the Jackson Street side of the property.  

Father Michael Flynn – 1956-1965 

Father Michael Flynn served at Wynyard from November 1956 until March 1965. During Father Flynn’s time in Wynyard, Marist College was built in Burnie and St Brigid’s catered for students from Prep to Grade Six only.  

Father Vincent Shelverton -1965-1982 

Father Shelverton came to Wynyard as Parish Priest in 1965. He farewelled the OLSH Sisters’ work at the end of 1971. Sisters Alphonso, Winifred and Claver finished at Wynyard in 1971. The Sisters of Saint Joseph accepted responsibility for St Brigid’s Catholic School in Wynyard from 1972 until the end of 1983. Sister M Mechtilde Dillon was the first Josephite Principal at St Brigid’s School in Wynyard when the Sisters of St Joseph took responsibility for the school in 1972.

Father Phillip McCormack – 1991-2001

Father Phillip McCormack was Parish Priest at Wynyard from 1991-2001. During Father McCormack’s time at Wynyard, the first Lay Principal, Mrs Kathleen Siggins was farewelled from St Brigid’s to take over the role of Principal at Stella Maris Primary School in Burnie. Mrs Judy Pakinga and Mrs Betty Hurst had short terms each as Principal of St Brigid’s School and Mr John Kirkwood took over the principalship of St Brigid’s School in 1999.

Father Arthur Shelverton 

Father Arthur Shelverton was Parish Priest in Wynyard from 2001-2003

Father Bernard McFadyen sm from 2003-2010

Father Bernie McFadgyn SM, a Marist Father became Parish Priest of the newly formed combined Burnie-Wynyard Parish in 2003.

Father Tony  Kennedy sm from 2010 - 2012

Father Tony Kennedy was the second Marist Parish Priest for the Burnie-Wynyard Parish.

Father John Girdauskas from 2013-current 

Father John Girdauskas is current Parish Priest of the Burnie-Wynyard Parish.