Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School
Enriching spirits ~ Educating Minds
Honaro Nagle was born in Ireland in 1718 into a wealthy family and was educated in Flanders.
In the 1700’s Catholic children in Ireland were not allowed to practice their religion or attend school. This upset Nano greatly, so she began teaching children in secret. With courage and determination she started a primary school in Cork and founded a religious congregation of Sisters that became known as the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Despite setbacks, the order spread throughout Ireland and other countries. Nano was generous with her time in helping the poor and sick in Ireland and she was often seen returning to her home, after dark, carrying a lantern.
Nano Nagle has been called a “Woman of Welcoming Heart” and had a strong devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Her great love for God and the disadvantaged, burned brightly within her and the lantern became a symbol of her desire to take this flame of love to others.
Nano’s calling to reach out with faith to those in need, found its way to our shores, and so began a journey of love in a new land.
The Journey Begins
The first Presentation Sisters to come to Australia settled in Tasmania in 1866. In 1899 the Sisters established a convent and school at Longreach, followed by other Catholic schools in western towns of Queensland.
In 1909 a railway line was connected to Yeppoon and this allowed the Presentation Sisters from schools in Longreach and Emerald to enjoy Christmas holidays on the coast. It was suggested that Yeppoon would be an ideal place for a convent and school to be established.
“Though I should not live to see it prosper in our time, yet I hope it may prosper hereafter and be of universal service in the Kingdom.” ~ Nano Nagle
Nano Nagle's Flame
(Our 100 year Journey)
by Mary O’Donnell
It was a long time ago, in a land so far away
A spirited lass of Irish birth, knelt down on her knees to pray.
“My name is Nano Nagle Lord, and I’m from County Cork!
I have a yearning deep within and I really need to talk.
The people of my homeland Lord are sad and so oppressed,
They have no religious freedom and education is suppressed
My Catholic faith is dear to me, to share it is my call.
Guide me Lord! Light my way! Courage in darkness I implore.
So Nano picked up her lantern and the Lord lit her way.
She brought hope to sick and lonely, and taught children night and day.
The Lord blessed her with great courage, and others joined the call,
Her Presentation Sisters spread through Ireland then abroad.
In 1866 on SS Empress, Australia bound,
From Adelaide to Longreach, then on to our fair town
Where in 1917 amidst drought, War then flooding rains
Saint Joseph's Primary, with 30 souls, was born from Nano’s flame.
25 boarders enrolled that year, Mary Hickey was one of them
A little girl of only five, much expected way back then.
The nuns; Mother Patrick, Aquinas, Stanislaus and Claire
Their names were rather interesting, and their habits a strange affair.
One year passed, St Ursula’s was born, for secondary students to attend
Francis Larkin and Mary Lennon were just two of them.
The depression hit, another World War, but the flame continue to burn.
Students came from near and far, by train and horse to learn.
The 50s dawned, immigrants came, pineapples lined the land
Riding bikes off diving boards and adventures now surely banned.
The Gypsy Tap, a skating rink, potato bags down wooden slides
The Presentation Sisters saw the changing time and tides.
The children crossed the creek to school, no shoes and ports held high
The school bus was a farmer’s ute with seats on either side.
But St Joseph’s kept on growing with St Ursula’s overhead.
Until Sr Pius made the call …..and this…. is what… she said….
Said Sr Pius Stubberfeled, “Enrolments now are growing”
Said Sr Pius Stubberfeld, “Across the road we are going!
St Joseph’s School has fared us well, til 1958
And now we’ll cross to Sacred Heart & open brand new gates.
Nano Nagle statue
So Sacred Heart came to life amidst blackboards, chalk and cane
Marching in and out of school to stimulate the brain
The Catechism, was learned by rote and helped every student see
That “God had no beginning, always was and always will be.”
Day by day and year by year enrolments kept on growing
Until yet again, the call went out “To Lammermoor we’re going!”
The sod was turned the walls were built, cake stalls and busy bees
In 91 Sacred Heart transferred near beach and old gum trees.
There have been a lot of changes since the lantern crossed the town,
If Sr Pius strode in right now, she’d wear one startled frown.
Lay teachers, ipads, Google, whiteboards and internet,
Sr Pius Stubberfeld would break into a sweat!
100 years have now passed, yet Nano’s lantern is burning bright
The flame has flickered, danced and moved, our guide from site to site
So much has changed in many ways but to one thing we’ve stayed true
To seek out our God with courage in all we say and do
So here on this site I now stand and tell of our great school
Where love for one another is our guide and golden rule.
Nano’s prayer in County Cork while down on bended Knee
Was answered by our Lord above and now burns so bright in me.