St Philomena's Catholic Primary School Bathurst

Our aim is to help the children develop spiritually, intellectually, psychologically, socially, cult St Philomena’s has a long history. M. Philomena’s.

The original school was located on the corner of Seymour and Rocket Streets prior to its relocation to Lloyds Road in 1983. It was established as a church-school in 1901 by Bishop Dunne to serve the needs of the Catholic community of “Milltown”, as South Bathurst was then called. The pioneer staff of Sisters of Mercy were Sr Mary Gertrude McLean (First Principal), Sr Mary Vincent Wheeler and Sr.

Mary Joseph McMahon (Music). Following the opening of St. Joseph’s Mount in 1909 and what used to be St. Joseph’s Girls’ Home (now Holmhurst in William Street) in 1916, the staff was provided from these two places. Many fine nuns contributed to the establishment of St. Philomena’s, including Sr. Philomena Rahilly and Mother Mary Laurence Quirk, who worked there in the pioneering days, and Mother Mary Paul and Sr Mary Clare, who between them, guided the destinies of the school for close on thirty years. A new apse and sanctuary were added onto the School Church in 1912. In 1922, Dr. O’Farrell added a large classroom to the original building, and in 1936, Bishop Norton added three more classrooms. The Sisters of Mercy Novices had been doing their teacher training at St. Philomena’s for some years ~ possibly since 1910. In 1931 the status of St. Philomena’s was raised when St Joseph’s Mount was registered as a Teachers’ Training College under the Catholic Education Board. In 1968, the then Bathurst Teachers’ College staff requested that their Trainee-Teachers be permitted to do their Practice Teaching at St. In 1970, St. Philomena’s discontinued the enrolment of 5th and 6th Grades; however, after months of discussion between Bishop Norton and the Diocesan Director of Education, Fr Daly, as well as Pastors, Parents and School Principals, the Primary School reopened at the beginning of the 1973 school year. In 1979, the Diocesan Chancellor, Fr. Laurie Jennings, wrote (on behalf of Bishop Thomas) to Dominican Mother Superior, Sister Josephine Compton in Canberra enquiring as to whether land could be purchased for a new school complex. The land was purchased and Bishop Patrick Dougherty, officially opened the new school on Sunday, 13th November 1983. This was the first school opened by the then newly installed Bishop.

Photos from St Philomena's Catholic Primary School Bathurst's post

06/08/2026

🚨Sports Update 🚨

🏃‍♀️Athletics 🏃‍♂️

Last week we presented our athletics age champions and house champions, well done to all of those students 🏆.

Following this, the top 3 students in all events attended the Eastern Region Carnival at MacKillop yesterday where they battled cold conditions to display some fantastic results and great sportsmanship during the day.

Well done to Sonny R who was tied Junior Boys Champion 🎖️ and congratulations to the 13 students who will now compete at the Dubbo Diocesan Carnival on Friday 21st August 🙌!

Thank you to Holy Family School, Kelso for hosting a great day.

🐎 Interschools Horse Events 🐎

In the last school holidays Oliver G competed in the NSW Interschools State Championships at Olympic Park where he had some great results and a fantastic time! Across 4 different disciplines he placed 2nd, 5th, 5th and 6th in the which earnt him selection in the NSW team to compete at the Nationals next school holidays, well done Ollie 👏! He followed this up with some fantastic results at the Orange Anglican Grammar event in Cudal winning multiple events 🥇.

Sports Coordinator || Mr Jacob Parslow

04/08/2026

26/07/2026

📆Last Friday, we celebrated the Feast of St Joachim and St Anne, Grandparents Day.

🫶Children shared in a special Liturgy and morning tea, followed by visits to the classrooms.

📸Thank you for sharing your special memories which were shared during the day as a slideshow.

26/07/2026

⚽️🎙️🎥

A great day out, and special opportunity for our year 6 spokesmen!

Thank you 7NEWS Central West

22/07/2026

⚽️Assumption School Soccer Gala Day⚽️

Today over 100 primary students from St Phil’s attended the Assumption School soccer day. With first timers and seasoned players coming together to play against Catholic schools for the Bathurst area.

Students displayed great skills and sportsmanship through 4 rounds of soccer!

Thanks to staff and students for a great day and shoutout to Assumption Primary School, Bathurst for hosting the day!

Mr Jacob Parslow || Sports Coordinator

14/07/2026

Term 3 Incoming!!!!

02/07/2026

As you may or may not have heard, this year marks 50 years since the first Edgell Jog and will also be the last.

There is also a chance of winning a $500 prize for small schools, junior schools and senior schools prize that the Edgell Jog runs every year.

Now you're probably wondering how your school can win this $500 prize:
1) The highest number of students per number of students enrolled in the school
2) The students must note their school on their entry
3) If a student is under 12 they must register and run with an adult
4) This category applies to 'students' only, teachers do not apply
5) The students do not have to run in school uniform to count

30/06/2026

🚨Soccer Gala Day POSTPONED🚨

Due to rain/wet grounds - event organisers have postponed tomorrow’s soccer gala day.

Please come to school as normal.

New date for the day will be distributed via compass tomorrow.

Regards,

Mr Jacob Parslow || Sports Coordinator

26/06/2026

💯Not only have we celebrated our amazing athletes this week, we've also celebrated 100 days of Kindergarten!

💐A big thank you to Mrs Rizzo, Miss Holden, Mrs Hotham and Miss Tomlinson for all the work they do with these amazing little people.

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Location

Bathurst

Contact the school

Click here to send a message to the school

Telephone

+61263311198

Website

http://www.stphilsbathurst.catholic.edu.au/

Address

Lloyds Road
Bathurst, NSW
2795