History
At the request of Bishop Roper, Bishop of Toowoomba, 3 Sisters of St. Joseph- Sr. Macrina, Sr. Carmel and Sr. Magdalen arrived in Quilpie by train in January, 1950. As there was no electricity in the town then, the Sisters were met by a group of people carrying lamps and lanterns who walked with them to the rented house where they would live until the Convent and Boarding facilities were completed.
Fr. Michael Cronin, Parish Priest, had been actively involved in the construction of St. Joseph’s School which was ready for the beginning of the School year. By the end of 1950, there were more than 60 children enrolled at St. Joseph’s School.
In 1951, the Convent and Boarding School were ready for boarders and girls and boys from outlying districts were enrolled. The Boarding School provided a vital service, allowing bush children to access education in a school setting. This service continued until 2008, when because of dwindling boarding numbers, the facility was closed.
2009 marked an important milestone in the history of St. Finbarr’s School. Responsibility for leadership of the School was handed over from the Sisters of St. Joseph to the Catholic Education Office, Toowoomba. Aaron Wells was appointed Principal.
With the appointment of the first full time “lay teacher” Michael West in 1983, Sisters and Staff members had worked side by side until the present day, when the School continues to be a School in the Mary MacKillop tradition.
Fr. Michael Cronin, Parish Priest, had been actively involved in the construction of St. Joseph’s School which was ready for the beginning of the School year. By the end of 1950, there were more than 60 children enrolled at St. Joseph’s School.
In 1951, the Convent and Boarding School were ready for boarders and girls and boys from outlying districts were enrolled. The Boarding School provided a vital service, allowing bush children to access education in a school setting. This service continued until 2008, when because of dwindling boarding numbers, the facility was closed.
2009 marked an important milestone in the history of St. Finbarr’s School. Responsibility for leadership of the School was handed over from the Sisters of St. Joseph to the Catholic Education Office, Toowoomba. Aaron Wells was appointed Principal.
With the appointment of the first full time “lay teacher” Michael West in 1983, Sisters and Staff members had worked side by side until the present day, when the School continues to be a School in the Mary MacKillop tradition.