Our History
St Patrick’s School in Lithgow was founded in the late nineteenth century when school was made compulsory in NSW for children aged between 6-14.
St Patrick’s School has held a proud tradition in the Lithgow community for 140 years. The site on the corner of Mort and Lithgow Streets was originally an old quarry and the school, founded by the Sisters of St Joseph in 1880 has always been on this site.
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, founder of the Sisters of St Joseph and St Patrick’s School, was even known to have visited St Patrick’s School on one occasion.
The original school building, now known as the “MacKillop Wing” is still standing and utilised today. Several building projects over the years have seen the facilities improved with many new additions to the school, as well as classroom and playground upgrades.
While St Patrick’s School was once a part of the Sydney Diocese, it was added to the Bathurst Diocese in the 1960’s. It was originally a K to Intermediate (Year 10) school. From Year 3, the boys went to La Salle Academy in Lithgow and the girls remained at St Patrick’s until the end of Yr 10 before heading off to another school or boarding school. In 1968 it became a co-educational K - 6 with La Salle Academy offering education for students in Years 7-10.
Traditionally, the school was managed by the Sister of St Joseph, up until 1999 when the community bid farewell to the sisters and welcomed its first lady Principal Mrs Pam Haddin, who spent 13 years at the school as Principal.
Currently the school is led by Principal Ms Renae Dunleavy, Assistant Principal Mrs Lyndal Marshall and Religious Education Coordinator Mrs Amanda O'Regan. They continue to lead and nurture the school community in the Josephite tradition with staff and students striving to follow the example of St Mary of the Cross Mackillop who said “never see a need without trying to do something about it”. With the spirit and charism of Mary MacKillop echoing the halls and the school motto, “Charity and Truth” always at the fore, St Patrick’s School Lithgow continues to grow in faith, love and service within the Greater Lithgow Community.
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