'125 Years of Catholic Education in Waimate', by parishioner John Foley. Summarised by Tony Shaw, Catholic Special Character Adviser - Catholic Diocese of Christchurch

Fr John Goutenoire SM was based in Timaru in the 1870’s and would regularly visit Waimate where the number of Catholics was increasing. He had the Church built by 1876. Encouraged by the Bishop, he then wanted to build a school. The Irish settlers were strong supporters of this, and by 1880 he had raised £1,100 and built the school. St Patrick’s school opened with 50 pupils and two lay teachers.

Fr Fauvel, SM, had been appointed the first Parish Priest in Temuka. He wrote to Mother Mary McKillop and asked for Sisters to staff the new school in Temuka. They arrived in 1883 to open this new Catholic school. Inspired by this, Fr Goutenoire also wrote to Mother Mary McKillop in 1884 and asked for some Sisters to come to Waimate. Following his retirement due to ill health in 1889, he was replaced by Fr Regault, SM, who continued to plead for Sisters to be sent to Waimate.

In 1890 the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart of Jesus agreed that they would send some Sisters to Waimate, so the community quickly raised £600 and built a convent, which was completed by Christmas. The convent was dedicated to St Peter Chanel, the first Martyr of Oceania.

The Sisters, known as the Brown Josephites, began teaching at St Patrick’s Waimate in 1891. The Sisters ensured every student acquired some useful knowledge, appreciation or skill in music, speech and drama. Mother Mary McKillop visited the school each time she came to New Zealand, between 1897 and 1902.

By 1924 the original school building had become too small for the number of pupils, and a new block was built. Whilst the ‘new building’ has since been demolished, the original school building is now used as a hall by the parish and school.

The Sisters left the school in 2010 and since then it has been staffed by lay teachers who continue to promote the charism of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.