^{Past Principals of Francis Jordan Catholic Primary, Sue Groves and Tony Giglia attended the school’s 25th anniversary celebrations on Friday 27 November, held in the school grounds. Photo: Supplied.}

By Amanda Murthy

Past and present students, staff and their families of the Francis Jordan Catholic Primary School gathered on 27 November to celebrate 25 years since the school opened its doors in Currambine.

Joining current Principal Chris Dunning in attendance were two past principals – Sue Groves (Foundation Principal) and Tony Giglia (Principal from 2009 to 2015) – along with former staff members who have all played significant roles in the building of the school’s community.

The day began with a Thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Father George Kolodziej SDS, joined by concelebrants Fr Franciszek Kot SDS and Fr Dariusz Krzysztalowicz SDS in the school grounds. The Salvatorian Fathers have close links with the school as they reside next-door in their chapter house.

^{Salvatorians Fr Franciszek Kot SDS, Fr George Kolodziej SDS and Fr Dariusz Krzysztalowicz SDS celebrated the Thanksgiving Mass at Francis Jordan Catholic Primary’s 25th anniversary celebrations on Friday 27 November. Photo: Supplied.}

^{Salvatorians Fr George Kolodziej SDS, Fr Franciszek Kot SDS, and Fr Dariusz Krzysztalowicz SDS celebrated the Thanksgiving Mass at Francis Jordan Catholic Primary’s 25th anniversary celebrations on Friday 27 November. Photo: Supplied.}

^{Some of the students delivered a liturgical dance as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations for the Francis Jordan Catholic Primary school on Friday 27 November. Photo: Supplied.}

The Mass was followed by a morning tea, which gave guests a great opportunity to connect, reconnect and share their experiences with one another. A selection of old photos was displayed on the walls and the school’s ensemble groups provided music in the prayer garden during the morning tea.

After Mass, those present enjoyed listening to several performances from the music and dance program that is run at the school. These included fife, trumpet and trombone, clarinet, saxophone and flute presentations by students.

The celebrations continued with some commemorative photographs taken, after which they participated in a ‘colour run’ organised by the Parents and Friends (P&F) association. The colour run raised over $8000 for the P&F to put towards future projects for the school in 2021.

Mr Dunning spoke on behalf of the students and staff, saying the school has much to be grateful for as a community, despite the tough year 2020 has been globally.

“As a school in this very different year, we have been lucky to celebrate together today as a community committed to providing the best possible Catholic education to our children,” Mr Dunning cited.

“Seeing the joy and pride on the children’s faces today shows how much they care about their school and the wonderful staff and parents that provide so much for them.

“Having the connection to the past is so important as it is this that sets the road map for the future in our school,” he concluded.

Past and present students, staff and their families of the Francis Jordan Catholic Primary School gathered on 27 November to celebrate 25 years since the school opened its doors in Currambine.

Joining current Principal Chris Dunning in attendance were two past principals – Sue Groves (Foundation Principal) and Tony Giglia (Principal from 2009 to 2015) – along with former staff members who have all played significant roles in the building of the school’s community.

The day began with a Thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Father George Kolodziej SDS, joined by concelebrants Fr Franciszek Kot SDS and Fr Dariusz Krzysztalowicz SDS in the school grounds. The Salvatorian Fathers have close links with the school as they reside next-door in their chapter house.

The Mass was followed by a morning tea, which gave guests a great opportunity to connect, reconnect and share their experiences with one another. A selection of old photos was displayed on the walls and the school’s ensemble groups provided music in the prayer garden during the morning tea.

After Mass, those present enjoyed listening to several performances from the music and dance program that is run at the school. These included fife, trumpet and trombone, clarinet, saxophone and flute presentations by students.

The celebrations continued with some commemorative photographs taken, after which they participated in a ‘colour run’ organised by the Parents and Friends (P&F) association. The colour run raised over $8000 for the P&F to put towards future projects for the school in 2021.

Mr Dunning spoke on behalf of the students and staff, saying the school has much to be grateful for as a community, despite the tough year 2020 has been globally.

“As a school in this very different year, we have been lucky to celebrate together today as a community committed to providing the best possible Catholic education to our children,” Mr Dunning cited.

“Seeing the joy and pride on the children’s faces today shows how much they care about their school and the wonderful staff and parents that provide so much for them.

“Having the connection to the past is so important as it is this that sets the road map for the future in our school,” he concluded.

^{As part of the Francis Jordan Catholic Primary’s 25th anniversary celebrations, junior school students took part in a fundraising colour run. Photo: Supplied.}