Why choose our school?
Uniquely placed over two campuses in Balmain, Fr John Therry Catholic Primary School empowers students to the highest educational standards. Ensuring all students reach their full potential, we provide tailored learning opportunities that include the Newman Selective Gifted Education Program.
Fr John Therry’s new facilities and contemporary classrooms allow students to strive for excellence and our strong Performing Arts programs ensure a holistic education. Our outstanding teaching staff regularly undertake professional development and work with parents to provide partnerships that successfully link home with school. Finally, a rich history grounds students in the principles of faith, justice and trust so they can succeed in tomorrow’s world.
Principal’s Message
As principal of Fr John Therry Catholic Primary School, I am dedicated to providing a holistic education for every student to reach their full potential across all domains including, academic, social, emotional, spiritual and physical.
Staff professional development is an absolute priority, as our teachers strive to become absolute experts who fully respect each child in our care. Our staff are critical thinkers who continually adapt their practice based on the latest educational research and their observations and assessments of student learning.
As principal, I regularly visit classrooms to monitor teaching and learning and, with my leadership team, to be able to set directions for continual improvement.
Our vision for learning is to ‘Empower Every Student’ by providing a teaching and learning framework that is relational, diverse, contemporary, and adaptive.
Our school ethos is based on the principles of Faith, Justice and Trust with students, staff and parents working together in partnership as we work, learn and pray.
Feel free to contact the school and ask to speak to me or to arrange a school tour with our student leaders who will be happy to show you around and answer any questions from their perspective.
Kevin Bryson
Principal
History
Fr John Therry Catholic Primary School was founded in 1995 with 92 students after the amalgamation of St Augustine’s, Balmain and St Joseph’s, Rozelle. The school was named in honour of the founder of Catholic Education in Australia, Fr John Therry, who was a parish priest in Balmain until he died in 1864.
Fr John Therry Catholic Primary School is located on two campuses side by side with Administration, Kindergarten and Y5 and Y6 on the Eaton Street campus and Y1–4 and a new resource centre on the Jane Street campus. A major building project was recently completed to upgrade the Eaton Street campus, providing modern, contemporary spaces for staff and students.
Charism
John Joseph Therry was born in Cork, Ireland in 1790 and ordained a priest in 1815. Recommended by his bishop as a capable, zealous and “valuable young man” Therry sailed from Cork under a senior priest, Father Philip Conolly, in the Janus, which carried more than a hundred prisoners. They arrived in Sydney, in May 1820, authorised by both church and state.
Therry described his life in Australia over the next forty-four years as “one of incessant labour very often accompanied by painful anxiety.” As a popular, energetic and restless man, Therry attended to every aspect of the moral and religious life of Catholic settlers and convicts.
After decades of chaplaincy, he was appointed as Archpriest in 1850. In May 1856, Father Therry returned to Sydney, and remained in Balmain the rest of his life. He died in 1864 and is buried in the crypt of St Mary’s Cathedral.
Mission
Our mission is to:
- educate children in the faith, values and traditions of the Catholic Church
- provide each child with the best teaching and learning opportunities to meet his or her individual needs
- create an environment that reflects the values and importance that the school community places on the pastoral care of all its members
- engage the parent community as vital contributors in all aspects of school life.
What do we believe at Fr John Therry?
We believe in faith, justice and trust.
What does this look like?
- Faith: Doing to others as Jesus would like you to do.
- Justice: Being fair to each other.
- Trust: Our relationship with each other.
How do we achieve this?
- By being safe
- By showing respect
- By acting responsibly
Fr John Therry Catholic Primary School Balmain/Rozelle includes the wider community in its day-to-day activities. The link between the school and parishes of St Augustine’s Balmain and St Joseph’s Rozelle is extremely strong. Our families are keen to give back to the community and work in partnership with the school to support a variety of charities.
We regularly invite families to come together to celebrate Sunday mass within the parish and at Balmain and Rozelle. We provide for families who don’t attend mass regularly, or are not part of this parish, to connect them with the wider parish community.
St Augustine’s Balmain
Bishop in Residence: Bishop Terry Brady
Administrator: Father Richard Waddell
3 Jane Street Balmain NSW 2041
P (02) 9810 1157
E office@staugbalmain.org.au
staugbalmain.org.au
Mass Times
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 9.00am, 6.00pm |
| Monday–Friday | 7.30am |
St Joseph’s Rozelle
Bishop in Residence: Bishop Terry Brady
Administrator: Father Richard Waddell
2B Gordon Street Rozelle NSW 2039
P (02) 9818 5856
E office@stjosephrozelle.org.au
www.stjosephrozelle.org.au
Mass Times
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Saturday | Vigil: 5pm |
| Sunday | 10.30am |
| Monday–Friday | 7am |
