History
During the 1940’s the first meetings were held, under the guidance of Fr W.
O’Driscoll, to establish a primary school and Mass centre in the locality of
Chilwell (as it was then known). During 1940-41 the land on which the school
now stands was purchased through the good offices of Mr Pat O’Keefe.
The first annual report of the School Committee of 1944 reads:
We owe a debt of gratitude to the late Right Reverend Monsignor
Robert Benson PP, to whose memory this school is dedicated, for his
courage and foresight in purchasing this wonderful site. It behoves us
to achieve the object of his intentions.
School first commenced on the Feast of Ss Peter & Paul, June 1942. The
preparatory class, as well as Grades 1 and 2, made up one group under the
supervision of the late Mrs Margaret Sylvester.
In 1943, the Sisters of Mercy came to St Robert’s for the first time and Sr
Roberta Rainsford took charge, in the company of her assistant, Sr Bertha
Leonard. The school catered for girls and boys from Preparatory Class to
Grade 8. As time passed the school terminated at Grade 6 and pupils went to
local Catholic secondary schools for Grade 7. At this early stage the boys left St
Robert’s to attend the Christian Brothers’ College, St Joseph’s.
The Sisters of Mercy ended their association with the school in 1977, Sr
Bernardette Briggs the last Mercy Sister to be Principal. Mrs Noelene Colwill
accepted the appointment of the first Lay Principal. The association with the
Sisters had lasted 34 years and the subsequent lay staff have built upon the firm
foundation that the Sisters had established.
In 1942 the first part of the present school building was built, fronting Nicholas
Street. This consisted of one classroom, entrance hall and cloak room. The
latter was also used as a lunchroom as well as a storage place for church effects
during the week. At this time the school premises were used for Sunday Mass
and other parish meetings. A second classroom was added in 1943 and the
building, as it now stands, was completed in 1948.
In 1970 an additional classroom and staffroom were built, to the rear of the
initial buildings. At this stage St Robert’s was a one-stream school, with a
classroom for each grade level, from Preparatory to Grade 6. In 1977 the
portable classroom was moved in and placed on the site where a shelter shed
once stood.
The site was originally that of Donaghy’s rope works. In addition to Donaghy’s,
the Newtown City Council and Stinton’s Nursery and Plant Farm, were
instrumental in laying out the school grounds and gardens
The modernization and refurbishment of the original building was completed in
1986. During 1992 the building was extended to provide two additional
classrooms and expand the administrative and staff quarters. Part of this
project included the rebuilding of the front fence and entry and some minor
landscaping in the front garden. The School Authority worked closely with The
Heritage Commission to ensure that the 1920’s landscape of the area was
maintained and enhanced.
The Church building underwent extensive modernization in 1989.
In 2001 Architects were engaged to draw up a master plan for major capital
works for the school. This master plan included the demolition of existing
toilets, construction of new toilets, construction of additional classrooms,
relocation of library and the upgrade and part construction of a new
administrative area.
Capital Grant submissions were placed with both State and Government
agencies through the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria. As
anticipated a jointly funded project, incorporating a considerable Parish/School
financial contribution and a grant allocation from the Catholic Education
Office’s Supplementary Capital Fund, work commenced in November 2005 and
was completed in September 2006. Works included five new classrooms and the
refurbishment of existing classrooms including the addition of terrace areas to
the classrooms along the eastern side of the school and the relocation and
upgrade of the school administration area. In 2007 the relocation of the school
library with an attached IT facility will be established at the southern end of the
school’s Mass Centre.
The St Robert’s School Banner holds pride of place in the Sanctuary of the
School Chapel. Its location reminds us that all who are members of the St
Robert’s School Community are called to reflect upon the place of God in their
lives.
The latin words “Sic Currite Ut Comprehendatis” translated into English
means “so run that you will obtain the prize (or honour).” The ‘prize’ being the
knowledge that one has achieved the best and most honourable result in a
manner in which Christ taught us. This message was given by St Paul when
writing to the Corinthians (IICOR.) A further translation in the context of our
school would be “striving to achieve the best and most honourable result within
the context of our faith and Christ’s teachings "
St Robert was born in Gargrave, Yorkshire, England. He took his name from
Newminster Abbey, where he and his monks lived until his death on June 7,
1159.
St Robert was parish priest at Gargrave, then became a Benedictine Monk at
Whitby. He went to the Abbey of St Mary’s in York, where he revived the
Benedictine Rule; and founded three other monasteries – at Pipewell (1143),
Roche (1147) and Sawley (1148).
St Robert was known for his kindness, austerity and holiness. He was a great
man of prayer, a spiritual writer and exorcist. He led a strict way of life and
fasted from food and drink, especially during lent.
St Robert would give his meals to the poor and is reputed to have given a beggar
not only food but also the plate, which was returned from seemingly out of
nowhere one meal time.
St Robert was summoned to the continent by St Bernard of Clairvaux, to give
an account of the Abbey. This visit might have been in 1147 or 1148, as St
Robert also had an audience with the then Pope, Eugene 111.
St Robert often visited a holy hermit, St Godric; and on the night St Robert
died, St Godric saw his soul ascending to Heaven like a ball of fire.
MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS,
FILL OUR HEARTS
WITH A LOVE OF GOD AND A GREATER LOVE
FOR EACH OTHER.
BRING TO OUR WORLD A LASTING PEACE,
BASED ON RESPECT
AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
HELP ALL NATIONS TO FOLLOW THE WISHES
OF JESUS, THAT WE SHOULD LIVE IN LOVE AND
PEACE WITH EACH OTHER.
THROUGH CHRIST, OUR LORD.
AMEN