St Aloysius Primary School

St Aloysius Primary School, Redan is a Catholic school associated with the Parish Church (St Aloysius Catholic Church) of the same name.

History
The original school was established in Darling Street in 1876. It was run by Michael Campion Carey, and had an enrolment of 462 in 1879.

The school was described in the newspaper after a visit by Father Cleary in December 1878: "St. Aloysius' School, which is situated at Darling-street, Redan, and of which Mr. M. C. Carey is head teacher, broke up on the 19th instant for the Christmas vacation. This school, like Mr. Keane's, has to contend with some of the finest State schools in the district, one of the buildings referred to-that in Windermere-street—being, perhaps, the most beautiful State school in the colony. Nevertheless, Mr. Carey has no fewer than 400 children on the school roll, and the average daily attendance, I learn, is from about 280 to 350. It may be mentioned that the instruction given in the higher class is equal to that given in the sixth class in the State schools ; and I also learn that a class in Euclid has been recently formed. Mr. Carey, who is a great lover of music, also teaches the pupils to sing ; and an interesting part of the display of their general proficiency on Thursday was the culture they exhibited in singing some hymns, rounds, &c. The prizes selected for distribution had been very carefully made, and included some standard historical works, sound moral tales, &c. Father Cleary, who distributed the prizes, addressed the children at some length, stating that he took a great interest in that school, it being the first school established in the district with the view of preserving Catholic children from the baneful influence of the State school system. He also congratulated the children on being under such efficient and high, moral-toned teachers as Mr. Carey and his assistants were; and he explained to the children that not only were they indebted to his Lordship for the prizes, but also for having the schools at all, and, moreover, for having them so successfully carried on."

On 24 May 1882, Dean Moore blessed a new girls school consisting of three classrooms at Redan. The school was run by the Loreto Sisters. The newly erected wooden school could accommodate two hundred students: OPENING OF ST. ALOYSIUS R.C. SCHOOL, REDAN. A large number of the Catholics of Redan and Sebastopol assembled yesterday in the new school which has been recently erected at Redan, to celebrate the opening. A description of the building was given a short time since, so that it will be sufficient to state that it consists of three schoolrooms together with a room for the nuns, which are lofty and well ventilated, and are in every way adapted for the purpose for which they are intended. The building has been carried put in a workmanlike manner, and reflects great credit on the architects and contractors. Amongst those present we noticed Dr Moore, Sir John O'Shanassy, Mr D. Brophy, M.L.A., Mr D. Fitzpatrick, J.P., and the Revs. Father Meade, Doyle, John Meade, Rogers, and Carroll. We must not omit to mention that there were also present the Rev. Mother Superioress of the Loretto Convent, Mother Aloysius, Sister Hilda, and several other of the nuns, some of whom will have charge of the school. The ceremony of blessing each of the rooms having been performed by Dr Moore, assisted by Father M. Meade, a public meeting took place in the front school room, where a dais had been raised, over which was displayed a beautiful green banner with the Harp of Erin elegantly worked thereon.

Dr Moore, who was voted to the chair on the motion of Sir John O'Shanassy, spoke as follows:—It affords me great pleasure to take the chair at this meeting. I regret that our good bishop who, you all know, takes a lively interest in the question of education, is not here to be your chairman. I am sure when he returns from Europe he will be very much pleased to see such respectable schools erected here by your zeal and generosity, and where they were so much needed. I was very much pleased at the spirit and unanimity that have been shown in the erection of these schools. A meeting has been held here once a week for the last three months, at which not fewer than 80 or 90 heads of families attended regularly, thus showing their anxiety to procure Catholic schools for their children. If some of our politicians were present at those meetings they would not make the reckless assertions that the laity of the Catholic Church were not opposed to the present Education Act. Those assertions were a gross calumny upon the Catholic laity of this country, for in most cases of this kind they have like ourselves contributed to the Catholic schools more liberally than their means would allow. You have here erected schools, which, together with their fittings and the fencing in of the grounds, will have cost nearly a thousand pounds. If further proof was needed of the opposition of the Catholics of Ballarat to the present act, I could give the gross sum expended by them for the last six years upon Catholic education alone I find from the books of the mission that after adding the cost of the new buildings this amounts to the large sum of £43,623 which does not include a sum of £10,000 expended upon the erection of the Palace. This, I think, you will all agree, is a large amount besides contributing their share to the heavy taxes imposed for the supported State schools. I shall not detain you longer as I know you are anxious to hear some of our friends Sir John O'Shanassy, Mr Brophy and other gentlemen.

Sir John O'Shanassy then delivered a lengthy and an able speech to the effect that seeing the great efforts the Catholics of Ballarat and throughout Victoria had been making in the erection and support of schools, it proved very clearly that the Catholics of the colony were acting from conscientious motives in declining to avail themselves of the instruction afforded in, State schools, and supporting schools of their own. Sir John read a number of extracts from speeches and letters of His Holiness Pius IX, Cardinal Cullen, Dr Doyle, Bishop of Dupanloup, Napoleon I., Washington, Milton, Mill, Burke, and others—divines, philosophers, and statesmen as to the danger to morality and the State that is caused by the divorcing of religions from secular education in schools. In the course of his remarks he stated that he had been furnished with a statement which showed that there were 3300 Catholic children in Ballarat proper and district, receiving a sound education from 36 nuns, and 56 other teachers, making a total of 92 instructors. Sir John referred to the injustice Catholics, who were by no means the richest people in the community, were suffering in having to support the State schools, which wealthy parents were largely availing themselves of. He stated that there was no person in the colony who could combat their arguments, for they acted upon principle, and he hoped that they would continue to co operate with their clergy in the good work they had begun. In conclusion, he hoped that justice would soon be done to them, but whether soon or late, there was no power on earth that could turn them from those vital principles to which he had referred. He, for one, would never consent to have the name of Christ banished from the schools. Before sitting down, Sir John, referred to Dr Moore’s elevation, His Holiness having been pleased to confer upon him the title of Monsignor.

Mr D. Brophy, M.L.A., spoke at some length, in the course of which he stated that he had no doubt that Parliament, seeing that Catholics were in earnest in securing for their children a religious as well as secular education, as shown by the great efforts they were making would ultimately recognise the justice of their claims, and give them a share of the educational grant. Mr D. Fitzpatrick, J.P., in proposing a vote of thanks to Sir John O'Shanassy, passed a high encomium upon him for his efforts in the cause of Catholic education. Dr Moore having vacated the chair, and Mr D. Brophy, M.B.A., been moved thereto, a hearty vote of thanks was, on the motion of Sir John O’Shanassy, accorded Dr Moore, who in returning thanks said that a great deal of the credit given to him for the erection of the new schools was due to Father Meade, whose efforts had been so nobly seconded by the Catholics of the locality.

The school was destroyed by fire four years later.

In May 1886 the Diocese of Ballarat held an International Fancy Fair to raise funds to rebuild the school: The opening of the International Fancy Fair in aid of the building fund for the erection of the new schools at Redan, under the charge of the Nuns of Loretto, took place in the Alfred Hall on Monday evening, the 10th inst. This spacious building is admirably adapted for the purpose of a fair. The stalls are fitted up on either side of the hall between the pillars, the large space in the centre being left free for visitors. At the end opposite the entrance is a large stage, at one side of which an Irish round tower has been erected. Each of the stalls was beautifully decorated with flags of the various nations and evergreen plants, the latter kindly lent by Messrs. George Smith and Rennie, florists. There was a profusion of useful and beautiful articles on each stall, and the general appearance of the building, with its brilliant lights, gaily-dressed ladies, and richly-furnished stalls, was most imposing. One of the most noticeable of the stalls was the Swiss in the form of a chalet, upon the roof of which there is an excellent representation of snow. The large hall was filled with visitors. Shortly after 8 o'clock the Hon. Henry Cuthbert, M.L.C., came upon the stage accompanied by Messrs. E. Murphy and C. E. Jones, M.L.A.'s, the Mayor of the Town (Mr. W. Scott), Mr. D. Brophy, J. P. Mr. J. J. Fitzgerald, J.P., and a number of other leading citizens. An apology was read from the Mayor of the City (Mr. Salter) for his non-attendance, being engaged in municipal business.

Mr. Cuthbert, according to the report of the Ballarat Star, said :—" That, in response to the kind invitation from the committee of management of the fair, who had taken great interest in the movement and brought it to its present state of perfection, he had great pleasure in performing the duty of declaring it open. He thought it would not be out of place to mention the principal reasons that had induced so many of the prominent spirits in public movements amongst them to arrange the fair. They had certain schools, which had been admirably managed, at the Redan, associated with which were skilful teachers, who were loved by their pupils. Unfortunately those schools were accidentally destroyed by fire. They were not insured, and the result was a loss of nearly £800. But that loss was not irrevocable. Judging by the large concourse of people he saw there he could see that their heart was in the movement, and that they would do their best to carry out the objects of the committee. The latter had determined to make the fair a success, and to that end had enlisted the sympathy of the ladies. The time before them was short, and looking round the stalls and seeing the beautiful array of goods there, he was astonished at the show made. The schools were formerly of wood, but he thought the time had come when they should be of brick. The rising generation should receive a good education. In this movement a good spirit had been invoked—that of self-reliance. They did not rush to the State for what they wanted. It seemed a principle now to rush to the State for assistance, but they had taken a higher view, that if the State did not assist them they would assist themselves. That was a grand motto—"Help yourselves and God will help you." (Applause.) They had all met there for a common purpose—to advance the cause of education. It devolved on them to replace the schools, and from the large concourse he saw there be was quite sure the anticipations of the committee would be fully realised, and that they would be able to put up large, commodious, and well-ventilated rooms. He was sure they were all anxious to put their hands in their pockets to aid, and trusted they would all do their best to foster such a good purpose. He had great pleasure in declaring the Great International Fancy Fair open for business. (Applause.)"

The Phœnix Brass Band then played "God Save the Queen." Mr. Macpherson, after saying a few words in support of the movement, announced that be would give a donation of 50 guineas towards it. Mr. Pender, of Melbourne, also promised a similar donation. After a few words from Messrs. E. Murphy and C. E. Jones, M.L.A.'s, and when the mayor of the town had promised to assist in furthering the objects of the Fair, a procession of the ladies in their fancy costumes was formed, headed by Miss E. Tappin as "Britannia," and Mrs. M'Connochie as " Helen M'Gregor," in Highland Costume. The business at the stalls then commenced, and, judging by the large numbers that patronised them, the fair ladies must have plied a good business.

The following are the names of the various stalls and of the lady stall-holders and their assistants :— No. 1 Stall. —Bohemia — Mesdames J. Tappin and R. Wrigley, evening costume; Mrs. M'Connochie, Highland costume ; Miss Casey, Hail Columbia; Miss Tappin, Normanby peasant; Miss Magill, French republic ; Miss E. Tappin, Britannia; Miss G. Healy, as a reaper; Miss Box, German peasant; Miss A. Tappin, Neapolitan peasant; Miss F. Healy, Castillian peasant; Miss Coghlan, evening costume ; Miss Dowden, evening costume. No. 2 Stall.—Irish—Mesdames Brophy, Newton, and Fitzgerald, each evening costume; Miss Brophy, Irish girl; Miss Maguire, Scotland; Miss Willette, the Colleen Bawn; Miss Healy, Irish lady 17th century; Miss Collins, Nancy Lee; Miss Scott, Gipsy; Misses Guthrie and Maher, Irish girls; Misses M. and J. Heffernan, Irish girls; Miss Hourigan, University student. No. 3 Stall.—Loretto stall, Celtic nations —Miss Buckley, evening dress; Mrs. T. Mann, Bavarian peasant; Mrs. Cahill, evening dress; Miss Matthews, shamrock; Miss Healy, Erin ; Miss Buckley, Spain; Miss Flo. Buckley, Portugal; Miss Thunder, French peasant; Miss Nichol, France; Miss Fallon, Rome; Miss Hudson, Belgium; Miss A. Hudson, French peasant; Miss Prendergast, evening dress. No. 4 Stall.—Italian—Mrs. O'Brien, evening dress; Miss Gabbett, Carmen; Miss Fern, Arline; Miss Allen, Rose of Castille; Miss Powell, Amina; Miss Hayden, Maritana; Miss Coleman, Esmeralda ; Miss Slattery, Leonora; Miss Rinsworth, Zingara; Miss M'Carthy, Anrora; Miss Merry, Azucena; Miss M. Carey, Italian peasant girl. No. 5. Stall.—Spanish—Miss S. Wrigley, Miss Murphy, and Mrs. Martin, Spanish ladies; Miss L. Murphy, Spanish peasant; Miss O'Farrell, Spanish lady; Miss O'Malley, Spanish lady; Miss Kerr, Spanish lady Miss O'Keefe, Spanish peasant. No. 6 Stall.—Swiss chalet—Mrs. L. Whyte and T. Potter, Swiss peasants; Mrs. Burrows and T. Colgan, evening dress; Misses O'Toole, Foley, Bibby, Ryan, Ingle, Martin, Sherlock, Swiss peasants; Misses M. Heley and Kennedy, evening dress. No. 7 Stall.—Australian—Mesdames Tuomey and Orr, and Misses Tuomey, Greig, and O'Loghlen, evening dress. No. 8 Stall—Coffee Stall—Mesdames Hager, Maher, Goulding, Wellington, Crawford, Cain, and Love, and Misses Jacobi, Osborne, Hager, Maher, O'Grady, and Keenan.

There were also, as side shows, an Irish tower, in connection with the Loretto stall, under the management of Mr. Heffernan; and a new French race game, under the Mr. R. T. Hager. During the evening the Phœnix band gave a number of selections in excellent style. A number of songs were also rendered by Signor Penani and Messrs. R. Dunn, E. B. Wells, A. C. Carnegie, and J. Davies, Mrs. Lamble presiding at the pianoforte. Thanks are due to the Rev. J. Cleary, and to Messrs. D. Brophy, J.P. (the chairman), J. J. Fitzgerald, J.P. (treasurer), R. S. Foley, and John Fitzgerald (the hon. secretaries), and to the several members of the committee for their great exertions to make the Fair a success.

On Tuesday evening the Fair was again open, a large number of visitors being present. His Lordship the Bishop paid it a visit. The Tableaux Vivants entitled " The Haunt of Fairies," in which about 100 pretty children dressed in beautiful fair costumes appeared, and "The Sleeping Beauty" were produced daring the evening with great effect. It is intended to have varied entertainments every evening, and as the object is a most meritorious one and deserving of the support of every good person, I trust that the International Fancy Fair will receive a hearty support.

On 4 March 1900 an attempt was made to burn the school room down: INCENDIARISM AT REDAN. THE ALLEGED OFFENDER ARRESTED. FIRING THE DARLING STREET R.C. SCHOOL. What was evidently a deliberate attempt to burn the Roman Catholic schoolroom in Darling street, Redan, was frustrated by the timely appearance of two young men at an early hour on Sunday morning (says the "Ballarat Star"). It appears that between 1 and 2 o'clock Morris Dineen and Edmund Johannsen were walking homewards, and when nearing the schoolroom observed a light flare up in the porch, and at the same time saw a woman piling wood against the front door. Both men immediately rushed across the street, and the woman, who noticed them approaching scattered the fire and attempted to make off; but one of the men detained her while the other extinguished the flames. The woman screamed loudly, and endeavored to get away, and her cries attracted the attention of Constables Stallard and Hooley, who were on duty in Skipton street, and who ran to the spot. A few inquiries resulted in their arresting the woman, who gave the name of Ellen Mary Donovan, and her age as 63 years. The accused had presumably piled a quantity of dry bark and sticks against the door under the porch, and then fired them. Fortunately the building escaped, the door being only slightly scorched.

The prisoner, who is well known in the district, having resided in Darling street for many years, is regarded as being somewhat eccentric. She was conveyed to the Redan lock-up, and charged with wilfully setting fire to the schoolroom. She stated that she was going home, and observing the fire in the porch, ran across to extinguish it, and was in the act of doing so when Dineen and Johannsen came over, and accused her of setting fire to it. The two men are, however, equally positive that they saw her heaping material on the fire, and and that they watched her for some minutes before crossing the road. The accused was brought before the court to-day, and remanded until Friday next.

It was replaced by a brick building on the corner of Ripon and Warwick streets. Many children attended Redan Primary School while the school was being built. It was opened on 09 September 1886.

In 1901 the school was handed over to the Sisters of Mercy but in 1907 the Bishop, Dr. Higgins, asked the Loreto Sisters to take it over again promising, transport for the nuns and the payment of lay teachers. The staff consisted of two sisters and three lay teachers.

The present school was built in 1924 with additions and refurbishments being made in 1951, 1974, 1979, 1994 and 2008-2010.

Sister Mercia Richards was the last Loreto Sister principal finishing in 1998. Greg Lane Was Principal from 1999, and Michael Kennedy commenced as Principal in 2006.