Sacred Heart/Our Lady of the Missions School Fremantle

1964-1980 Our Lady of the Missions High School

1964 saw the first intake of students under the auspices of Our Lady of the Missions High School with a roll call of 72 young women.

Lessons were held in a small three-roomed wooden building which was originally erected in 1916 to accommodate 40 pupils.  The building had obviously seen better days because students from latter times remembered the cold wind from the ocean blowing up the harbour and straight through the cracks in the wooden walls during winter.  The Sisters sold hot chocolate drinks from the window of the Juvenate during morning recess, which was well and truly appreciated and helped to ease the winter chill.

1964 also saw preparation of the site, and commencement of the new school building.

In 1965 the new building for Our Lady of the Missions High School was officially opened by the Most Reverend Myles McKeon.  The new building contained three new classrooms and a modern science room, plus a Headmistress’s office on the upper level.  The lower level consisted of a large undercroft area, locker room, toilets and a small Tuckshop.  A Parents and Friends Association was formed with a Mr. Burns as inaugural President.

New School

In 1966 the enrollment had increased to 120 students.

By 1967, 194 students were enrolled with an increase at the 4th year level, quite a substantial increase in 3 years – things looked rosy.  the School’s first Speech Night was held at John Curtin Hall this year.  Also this year we saw the Sisters dressed in a more modern white habit for the summer months.

Tennis lessons were offered by Arthur Marshall along with Mrs. Smith.

Tennis with Arthur Marshall & Staff

Mrs Caddy taught Physical Education in the mid 1960’s and Miss McNabb taught the ‘Art of Speech’.

In 1969 the Juvenate, which was on the school site, was closed and by 1971 enrolment numbers had declined to 175.  Nevertheless, a new classroom block was built and opened on 8th March 1975, having been planned for with an expectation of increasing student numbers.  “My Fair Lady” was performed at Speech Night that year.

The Finished School

In 1976 a Literary Evening was held with a performance of ‘Pride and Prejudice’.  Speech Night was again held at John Curtin High School with a musical performance of ‘Little Women’.

Unfortunately due to rationalisation of Catholic girls’ secondary schools, co-education at Seton College in Hilton and changing demographics of the Fremantle area, numbers continued to decline and the decision was made to close Our Lady of the Missions High School with the last intake of students being in 1980.

Over the 16 years of its operation there were many wonderful women who were dedicated to the education, both academically and spiritually, of young Catholic women.  Mention must be made of the Principals who guided both students and staff – Sr M. Augustine, Sr M. Stephen and Mrs. B. Stacey.

The School motto was “Semper Superne Nitens” (Always Striving Upwards).

School Crest