ST. PATRICK'S PAST & PRESENT

In 1950, on five beautiful acres of forestland in the heart of Haney, Father Steele began the challenging task of building St. Patrick's School. The school was opened in September of 1956 with a co-educational enrollment of 128 students encompassing grades one to eight. The Sisters of St. Joseph of London, Ontario were the first teachers. Sisters Winnifred, Appolonia and Wendelin aided Sister Eugene the first principal. Initially, only five rooms on the lower floor were available for the students' use, as the upstairs consisted of Father's living quarters, a confessional and a large hall where mass was said. The students then were a very hardy lot and took their gym out of doors year round.

Much has changed at St. Patrick's over the last 48 years. Kindergarten classes were introduced in 1970. To accommodate a growing enrollment, portable classrooms and the St. Patrick's Centre (gym) were later built. The last sister, Sister Sharon McNally left in June of 1985. The convent was changed into a school annex to include a larger library, a video room and two meeting rooms. Our current enrollment in grades kindergarten through seven is 232 students serviced by an excellent staff of 11.6 members.

The students of St. Patrick’s enthusiastically participate in many extra curricular activities. In past years they have participated in the CISVA league and the Maple Ridge public schools' league in girls and boys volleyball, basketball, cross country and track and field. They have also enjoyed participating in Christ the King soccer tournament and many other invitational sports tournaments.

St. Patrick’s students not only play hard, but also work hard to achieve a high scholastic standard. Students enjoy our Orff music program, lessons in recorder and guitar, joining the school and parish choirs and entering the St. Thomas More Music Festival. Future actors and actresses enjoy the
annual drama production, potential journalists work hard on the school newspaper, and future prime ministers run the school student council. The students at St. Patrick’s are challenged and guided by a caring, dedicated and enthusiastic staff, assisted by many very supportive and understanding parents.

It is evident that St. Patrick’s School has had a colourful past, and is looking forward to an exciting future.