History
St Mary's Primary School was opened on the 25th January 1885 with the attendance of over forty pupils. Miss Mary McGrath of Jeffcott was the first teacher. Rev T Scanlon was the Parish Priest.
On Sunday 14th September 1922 the convent and classrooms were blessed and opened by the right Rev Dr D Foley, Bishop of Ballarat. Four Sisters of the Order of Notre Dame de Missions resided in the Convent and taught in St Mary's Primary and Sacred Heart High School.
5th March 1929 marked the official opening of the present St Mary's Primary School by the Right Rev Dr D Foley. Rev J Coughlan was the Parish Priest at this time. The Classroom Block has in the centre of its northern face an ornamental façade in cement which rises in triangular shape and bears the letters A M D G (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam - All for the Honour and Glory of God). A shield is fashioned in relief with Cootamundra Wattle and Shamrocks to represent Australia and Ireland. It bears the school motto - 'Fidelis Esto' (Be Thou Faithful) and the dates 1885 - 1928. Other lettering includes 'No 181 Registered Primary School' and 'Sub - Primary School'. A cross surmounts the whole façade. The school property is set on a corner block at the intersection of Woods and Byrne St, Donald.
The Sisters of Mercy from Ballarat East were welcomed to Donald in 1962 and replaced the Sisters of Notre Dame de Missions. From 1962 to 1975 St Mary's was a Primary and Secondary School with classes from Prep to Year 10.
In 1976 a multi-campus secondary school embracing Charlton, St Arnaud and Donald was founded and named McAuley College. McAuley College closed in 2003.
St Mary's became once again a Primary School and had Sisters of Mercy as Principal until 1992. The first lay Principal Mr Brian Hudson began in 1993. He was followed by Mr Tony Capurso in 1998. Mr Les Butler began as Principal in 2004 , Mrs. Anne Anderson in 2011 Mr Daniel Gooch 2012 and presently Anne Anderson.
In 2006 a refurbishment took place of the Administration Block, a new canteen was built and the toilets were fully enclosed to provide greater security for the students. A new school fence was erected, a courtyard shade sail was installed and the facia of the Classroom Block was re-rendered and painted. 2006 also saw the planting of ten plane trees around the school oval boundary to provide natural shade for the students in future years.
In 2007-08 St Mary's replaced the toilets, erected a shade verandah around the Classroom Block and constructed a new playground.
St. Mary’s has been enhanced further during 2010 with the construction of a Multi Purpose Room and an outdoor learning area. These additions allow for whole school activities and provide opportunities for students to complete activities outdoor in a sheltered and comfortable space.
St Mary's has at present an enrolment of 43 pupils; a dedicated staff of lay teachers and a tradition rich in the history, courage and faith of the Donald Parish Community.
On Sunday 14th September 1922 the convent and classrooms were blessed and opened by the right Rev Dr D Foley, Bishop of Ballarat. Four Sisters of the Order of Notre Dame de Missions resided in the Convent and taught in St Mary's Primary and Sacred Heart High School.
5th March 1929 marked the official opening of the present St Mary's Primary School by the Right Rev Dr D Foley. Rev J Coughlan was the Parish Priest at this time. The Classroom Block has in the centre of its northern face an ornamental façade in cement which rises in triangular shape and bears the letters A M D G (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam - All for the Honour and Glory of God). A shield is fashioned in relief with Cootamundra Wattle and Shamrocks to represent Australia and Ireland. It bears the school motto - 'Fidelis Esto' (Be Thou Faithful) and the dates 1885 - 1928. Other lettering includes 'No 181 Registered Primary School' and 'Sub - Primary School'. A cross surmounts the whole façade. The school property is set on a corner block at the intersection of Woods and Byrne St, Donald.
The Sisters of Mercy from Ballarat East were welcomed to Donald in 1962 and replaced the Sisters of Notre Dame de Missions. From 1962 to 1975 St Mary's was a Primary and Secondary School with classes from Prep to Year 10.
In 1976 a multi-campus secondary school embracing Charlton, St Arnaud and Donald was founded and named McAuley College. McAuley College closed in 2003.
St Mary's became once again a Primary School and had Sisters of Mercy as Principal until 1992. The first lay Principal Mr Brian Hudson began in 1993. He was followed by Mr Tony Capurso in 1998. Mr Les Butler began as Principal in 2004 , Mrs. Anne Anderson in 2011 Mr Daniel Gooch 2012 and presently Anne Anderson.
In 2006 a refurbishment took place of the Administration Block, a new canteen was built and the toilets were fully enclosed to provide greater security for the students. A new school fence was erected, a courtyard shade sail was installed and the facia of the Classroom Block was re-rendered and painted. 2006 also saw the planting of ten plane trees around the school oval boundary to provide natural shade for the students in future years.
In 2007-08 St Mary's replaced the toilets, erected a shade verandah around the Classroom Block and constructed a new playground.
St. Mary’s has been enhanced further during 2010 with the construction of a Multi Purpose Room and an outdoor learning area. These additions allow for whole school activities and provide opportunities for students to complete activities outdoor in a sheltered and comfortable space.
St Mary's has at present an enrolment of 43 pupils; a dedicated staff of lay teachers and a tradition rich in the history, courage and faith of the Donald Parish Community.
