Community to celebrate St Paul’s 35th anniversary

When Vivian Adams drops her three children off at primary school she walks the same grounds where she started her education. Ms Adams and the community of St Paul’s Catholic Primary School will celebrate the institution’s 35th anniversary with a school ball and open day later this year.

Ms Adams attended the school in 1978, the year it was founded by Father Carse and parishioners. St Paul’s was the first non-government school established in the Pilbara, and since then there have been a few changes. Ms Adam remembers the administration and staff room block used to house whole-school assemblies. The dirt quadrangle where Ms Adams and her friends played is now grassed and features a statue and garden bed. The school also survived damage from a fire in the canteen soon after opening and a tornado in 2011.

Despite these external differences, Ms Adams said the community spirit was still there. “Parents get involved and the staff are really personable,” she said. Ms Adams is actively engaged in school fundraising and said community involvement was a value she learnt from her parents. “It’s part of growing up in a small town,” she said. “I’m fortunate to have family here, but so many people don’t. “People rely on their friends, so everyone’s a lot more friendly.” Ms Adams and friends will create a photo archive so people can learn about the school history. It will on display at the 35th anniversary ball on August 31 at Karratha Leisureplex.

A celebration mass will take place on September 12.