The St Peter's School story is made up of many people, events and celebrations. At St Peter's our story is particularly influenced by three key people of faith - St Peter, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and Nano Nagle. We have linked these people to our school's vision statement as they inspire us to be "a community in Faith, Learning and Peace".
St Peter - Our Patron
Our school is named after the Apostle Peter. He was one of the Twelve Apostles who Jesus chose as his original disciples. We read many accounts of Peter’s life in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. Peter was a Galilean fisherman, originally named Simon. His name was changed to Peter, meaning the rock. He is often depicted being given special roles of responsibility and leadership from Jesus. After Jesus death and resurrection Peter continued Jesus’ work and is recognised as the first Pope. Saint Peter is often referred to as “the rock on which the church was built”. His feast day is celebrated on 29th June.
“Now you will become fishers of men” Matt 4:19 "You are my rock and on this rock I will build my church"
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St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop was a courageous woman of action. Born in Australia 1842, she showed compassion and love for everyone in need regardless of race, colour or faith. Mary believed in the power of education for all and set up schools across Australia and New Zealand to make sure those disadvantaged by poverty and distance received a Catholic education. Mary MacKillop (with Fr Tenison Woods) started the religious order of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart (the Josephites) She is the first Australian to be recognized as one of its saints. Her feast day is 8 August.
“Never see a need without doing something about it" “Gratitude is the memory of the heart"
“We must teach more by example than word" |
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Nano Nagle
St Peter’s school was founded in 1976 by the Presentation Sisters and remains loyal today to the philosophy of their founder, Nano Nagle. Nano Nagle was born in Ireland in 1718. She dedicated her life to teaching children by day and caring for the sick and elderly. She often visited the poor at night, carrying a lamp to light her way. She founded the "Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary" Her dream was to have a group of women who would be dedicated to the education of those who were poor and destitute and to other “lantern works” that would challenge the unjust social and political structures that made and kept people poor. Her special day is 26 April .
“Love one another as you have hitherto done.” “Not words but deeds” |
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© Brisbane Catholic Education, St Peter’s Catholic Primary School (2023)