St John Bosco High Class of 81 Reunion

Just a quick message to advise that the mass being said at Bosco at 5pm today in rememberance of Phil Laver has been postponed due to the family's inability to attend. Sadly they have had another death in the family this week. Thank you for understanding.

It is with a sad heart that I write this post. Last night our "Loveable Larrikin", Phillip Laver (Filey Larv) passed away. Phil had been battling quite difficult health issues over the last few weeks including a nasty bout of Pneumonia that his body just could not fight. It wasn't until his sister, Nicky, contacted me this morning, that I realized what an impression he had left on me. My day was filled with remembering the many times he made me gut laugh at school with his cheeky, wild antics. Phil was a funny bu**er with a kind soul and a big heart. Phil was living in Lismore and will be farewelled locally by his family and friends. There will be a mass held at St John Bosco Church on Saturday 23rd of May at 5pm. Phil is survived by his life long partner Jasmine, his son Colin Jnr, and his siblings Nicky and Damien. Phil will always live in our memories from school as the funny guy with his own unique language and who could forget his signature " pinch face" pose. Phil will be greatly missed. Thanks for the memories mate ❤️
(The fitter of the doolan of the barty of the blek of the fi fi fi of the oh oh oh ...)
If you wish to leave any messages, either PM me or post here. I am happy to forward these to the family.

Hi to All my Bosco buddies ! It's been a while, but I'm sure, we are all having life's "curve balls" thrown at us with ageing family, grandkids, work commitments, travel and lots more life experiences that come with being 58 (or thereabouts).
A lady by the name of Jo Smith is organising a reunion for Bosco Pioneers (1978-1981) being the first time the school was full. I will attach a screen shot of the page if you are interested in joining and possibly attending. I have not had anything to do with the organising of this one and all questions need to be directed to Jo Smith. I don't even know who she is ?? I'm guessing she must have been in year 7 or 8 when we were in year 10. Hope you are all well xx

This year it will be 40 years since we left Bosco. Seems like yesterday !! Sadly the uncertainty of Covid makes it near impossible to organize any sort of reunion for now. I also lost my mum, suddenly, to brain cancer 8 months ago, so my life has been in turmoil although things are coming good slowly. I will revisit the prospect of some sort of reunion later in the year if people are interested. Hope everyone is safe and well and not suffering too much through this trying time. Please let me know if you are interested in a reunion of some sort and any possible suggestions for a gathering would also be welcomed. Love to all xx

It is with much sadness that I feel the need to post these details ....OMG !!! I have just finished reading this book. What a brave woman, Margaret Harrod (formerly Sr Margaret Aulsebrook) ...... and what disgusting evil took place in the parish of St John Bosco, Engadine between 1970 and 1990.... right when we were all a loving, trusting part of the community. We all know about Paul Barrett and some know about Fr Laws too. Unfortunately they were just the tip of the iceberg. The older I get, the more stories I have heard REGRETTABLY seem to piece together and the knowledge I now have, as a mature adult,form an ugly jigsaw of heartache, deceipt, abuse and coverups. I am blessed to have never been a victim of these hideous monsters but to those who suffer in silence, read this book, if you can, and know that their are strong people ready to help you. To my pioneer family, we are strong together and I, myself will happily support anyone that needs to be pointed in the direction of Margaret Harrod or even just for a chat. Margaret Harrod, you are a warrior !! Anyone wishing to read this book it is available at Kmart for $19. I will also make a promise that any pics of these monsters or reference to them in any way will be removed from all future reunions !!! Their names have also been removed from college buildings too ...Standing together in strength, love and friendship, Michelle xx

Good Morning Ladies an Gents ~ we hope you are all well and looking forward to catching up this Friday 😊 Michelle would you be able to pop a reminder on the Bosco Reunion FB page for us and just ask if people could let us know if they will be dropping by in the evening just so we can give Highfields a rough estimate of numbers. A table/area has been booked for around 20 peeps. Thanks Therese and Kathryn 💕

Hi to all ,
Kathryn O'Malveney and Therese Gilbert are coming to Sydney and are keen for a catchup. To follow are the details that they have asked me to post on their behalf ;

Friday night - 7th Dec
Informal gathering
Highfields - Caringbah
From 6pm
Pay for your own drinks and food
Long table booked, opposite bar (reserved signs for Bosco)

Hope to see you there !

Just touching base with my Bosco, Class of 81 contacts. Have your details changed since the last reunion? If so, please message me so that I can update my records 😊

Sr Sarah's funeral was held at the parish of St John Bosco on Wed afternoon and i was able to attend along with approx. 1300 others ! It was a beautiful send-off for a very dedicated lady. There were many older families in attendance and an afternoon tea was held in the primary school hall after the ceremony. Many of the older teaching staff were there but the most exciting one, for me, was SR OLGA ! Standing in my 3 inch high boots, I think she came up to my lowest RIB ! The loving family atmosphere in the hall was amazing and made me wish that you were all there too! xx

Michelle Hodder Nieuwland

Poor Franny Gearside, Her account on FB has been hacked and Ive been trying to contact her. DO NOT accept any new friend requests from her. I put a post on her wall. I HOPE she doesn't mind. Tom was able to cut and paste the URL that leads to the fake account. 36 people have already accepted friend requests. My friend , Jan, has been through hell trying to fix the same problem.

Thank you SO much to all who contributed to my lovely "thank you gift". Joe and I spent the weekend at the Swissotel in Sydney and were absolutely pampered. We had not done anything like that for such a long time. St Patrick's Day was an added bonus! Actually tried my first Guiness (I'm not a beer drinker). Dinner and brekky were absolutely YUMMY. We had a great time ... Thanks again ! # # (Joe said to say thanks too!)