Principal’s Message
Welcome to the St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Concord website.
It is my great privilege to be appointed to the role of principal at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Concord. I am inspired by the strong sense of community and commitment to excellence in learning that exists in our school.
I believe that positive relationships make all the difference to thriving Catholic communities. I am committed to forming joyous and meaningful connections at St Mary’s with each of our students, teachers and parents in my first year as principal. By developing a deep understanding of the culture and practices of our school, I hope to work collaboratively to build upon our existing strengths and plan for a future where St Mary’s is the primary school of choice for families in Concord. Our best assets are our students and our success is defined by the confident way in which they can articulate their learning and love for their school.
The dedicated staff at St Mary’s are passionate about knowing each learner and sharing their expertise to inspire your child to develop their full potential spiritually, academically, socially, creatively and physically. We recognise that children learn at different rates and in different ways. Therefore we take a student-centred approach to learning, providing differentiated, relevant and meaningful opportunities for students to thrive across all curriculum areas. May your child experience joy, discovery, challenge and a love of lifelong learning when they attend our school.
We’re all in this together! Paramount to achieving success for our students is our commitment to working in partnership with parents for your child’s education and well-being. Strong home-school partnerships reinforce high expectations, motivating and encouraging students in their faith and learning.
After the restrictions of the last two years, it is an absolute joy to have parents actively involved in school life once again. We have a highly motivated and active P&F whose contributions greatly enhance our community and benefit our students. I strongly encourage parents and caregivers to get involved in all aspects of school life – faith, learning, sport, outreach, fundraising – there’s something for everyone..
Our Sydney Catholic Schools theme for this year is:
Don’t Hold Back. Share the good news of joy.
Inspired by our patron saint, Mary our Mother, in our mission to Open Minds, Open Hearts and Open Hands, we are blessed to witness the joy that comes to life through faith, learning and positive relationships. I hope this is evident throughout our website and on your visit to St Mary’s.
I invite all prospective parents and students to make an appointment to visit our school. Please contact the school office for all inquiries. I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what you find when you step inside our beautiful school.
Ms Elizabeth Pisano
Principal
Our History
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Concord has a long rich history in Concord. The school began in the first church at Concord between 1850 and 1853 with an enrolment of 41 boys and 27 girls. In 1883 The Sisters of Charity staffed the school with Sr Monica, Sr Camillus and Mother Gertrude who travelled each day by train from their convent in Ashfield to teach the 130 pupils. A new school was built in 1894 and a convent in 1898 through a generous bequest of the parish priest, Dean Callaghan McCarthy.
The composition of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School has changed several times with various new buildings being built and rebuilt over the years, beginning as an elementary school, progressing into high school and in 1963 returning to being a primary school for girls to sixth class and boys to third class. It was still a large primary school of 498 pupils. St Mary’s then became a full primary school, catering for 609 boys and girls from Kindergarten to Year 6 in 1989. In 2001 there was a major refurbishment of existing classes and a new library and classrooms were built.
Today the school is a modern, well-equipped school catering for both boys and girls from Kindergarten to Year 6. It is a part of the Archdiocesan system of schools supervised by the Sydney Catholic Schools. St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Concord continues to live out the ethos of its founders through service and love to ensure that every child is nurtured to realise their passions and strengths.
Our Motto
The intrinsic nature of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Concord is expressed in its motto: ‘Truth Conquers’. This is reflected in the ethos of fairness, cooperation and justice for all.
Our Vision
Open MINDS
As a faith-filled learning community at St Mary’s, we work as a team to provide opportunities for the whole child to reach their full potential. In recognising and celebrating the academic, social, emotional, creative, spiritual and physical capabilities of each child, we encourage a sense of wonder, curiosity and passion for lifelong learning.
Open HEARTS
As a faith-filled learning community at St Mary’s, we value and respect each person’s dignity and individuality acknowledging that we are all created in the image of God. We place a strong emphasis on the well-being of the school community by creating safe and supportive learning environments that promote optimism, risk-taking and resilience.
Open HANDS
As a faith-filled learning community at St Mary’s, we provide a spirit of collaboration and inclusivity where all members are challenged, engaged and appreciated.
Our Mission
We the community of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Concord are committed to:
- Opening the MINDS of students by engaging and challenging them in authentic learning experiences about the world they live in to inspire them to make a positive difference.
- Opening the HEARTS of students by sharing the good news of the Gospel and the teaching of Christ, as modeled by Mary our patron saint and the Sisters of Charity.
- Opening the HANDS of students by demonstrating a commitment to social justice, serving the poor and disadvantaged, and caring for the environment.
St Mary’s Catholic Church
Resident Priest: Fr Paul Crowley B Theol, SLL
Fr Paul has been the Parish Priest of St Mary’s Concord since 8 January 1993.
Mass Times
- Saturday Vigil: 6pm
- Sunday: 9.30am, 6pm
- Monday–Friday: 8.30am
A: 56 Burton Street, Concord NSW 2137
P: (02) 9747 4210
E: parish@stmarysconcord.org.au
W: stmarysconcord.org.au
Residential Aged Care: St Mary’s Villa