THE great commitment of the Pyramid Hill community to St Patrick’s Primary School has been acknowledged by the Bishop of Sandhurst, Most Rev. Shane Mackinlay.
Bishop Mackinlay told Sunday’s commemorative mass ahead of the school closing next week that the St Patrick’s had a retained a sense of local ownership during its 68 years of nurturing and developing students. He also thanked principal John O’Connor for leadership, particularly in the six months since it was announced 2024 would be the final year of the school.
Bishop Mackinlay said St Patrick’s had opened in 1956 and students taught by the Sisters of St Joseph until 1976.
The Sisters were represented on Sunday by Sr Geraldine Larkins who spoke during the Mass. 
First lay principal John Hermans recalled his arrival at the school. He was one of seven former principals to attend the Mass and school community luncheon along with more than 200 former and present teachers, students and parents.
Among them was Bill Quinn who served on the school board for 15 years, including 10 and chairman.
Readings during the Mass were given by former principal Colleen Hampson and past parents Kate Wood and Marilyn Fernandez.
Bishop Mackinlay said the school had been established to cater for a growing number of Catholic children in the Pyramid Hill district and as a memorial to residents of the region who had lost their lives in World War Two.
There were 60 students in the school’s first year and almost 100 a decade later when the school had classes from prep to Year 8. St Patrick’s ceased offering secondary school years in 1975.
Bishop Mackinlay wished current students well in their future studies at other schools in the region.