Saint Rita’s Boarding School. Saint Rita’s Boarding School. Saint Rita’s Boarding School. Saint Rita’s Boarding School.
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On January 29th, 1926, four Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission came from Highgate to establish a Convent in Katanning. The Sisters took up temporary residence in Mrs. Norrish’s town-cottage, which had been generously vacated for the purpose.
The cottage used by the four Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission upon arriving in Katanning in 1926
At Easter the Sisters purchased the 17-roomed house, Brockhurst, off Mr. Male, M.H.R., with Dr. House’s property adjoining. The necessary alterations and additions having been made, the “Guest House” was converted into a very fine Convent.
The old “Brockhurst Hospital” was converted into a Convent for the Sisters.
For the first few months the Church was utilised for the purpose of attending to the educational needs of the children, but before the end of the year a fine brick Day School of modern design had been erected, and before the official opening in November by Archbishop Clune, the total cost (£970) had been raised by the pupils.
Since then the school, in both Primary and Secondary Departments, had gone ahead by leaps and bounds with one hundred and seven girls and boys in daily attendance. The Catholic pupils were carefully trained in the principles of their religion and they, as well as those of other denominations, were given a sound moral, intellectual and physical training. Students were remarkably successful candidates for the university examinations, Junior and Leaving.
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ST RITA’S BOARDING SCHOOL
To provide for the increasing number of boarders, an imposing, commodious two-storey Boarding School costing £8,500 was constructed, and was completed in time for the re-opening of school on 3rd February, 1930.
Artists impression of St Rita’s Boarding School
In spite of opposition, the Sisters of Our lady of the Mission erected a pretentious boarding school in 1929 at a cost of £10,000. It was officially opened in 1930. Unfortunately the Depression began to hit hard not long after the building was completed and the cost of the building was to be a financial burden for the Sisters for many years. The boarding school, which formed part of St Rita’s School, continued until 1959, when it was decided not to continue a boarding school any longer in Katanning.
The Sisters then moved into the boarding school and used it as their convent. Secondary education by St Rita’s also ceased with the school reverting to Primary teaching only and was renamed St Patrick’s. Reidy House was the third convent building to be occupied by the Sisters, although the first convent was actually built by them. Prior to their convent being built, the Sisters lived in the former Brockhurst Hospital, and before that, in 12 Britannia Street.
Reidy House, the former boarding school of St Rita’s formed part of the larger Roman Catholic school institution, which included a primary school, secondary school, convent and boarding school. The building has some historical significance in that it provided boarding facilities in the town, Kobeelya being the other boarding facility. It was unfortunately built at a time of cautious growth with the advent of the Depression, but still survived and obtained a certain level of success.
Reidy House is a two-storey brick and corrugated iron structure. The style is reminiscent of Inter-War Mediterranean or Georgina architecture, with its arcade on both stories, medium pitched hipped roof, brick bearing walls and semi-circular headed windows on the lower level. The arcade is carried on Corinthian columns and arches. The balustrade is a pierced screen and employs Tudor motifs. It has a walled garden with pines, palms, roses and conifers. The front door is panelled with leadlight side and upper lights.
The boarding school, which formed part of St Rita’s School, continued until 1959, when it was decided not to continue a boarding school any longer in Katanning. The Sisters then moved into the boarding school and used it as their convent. Secondary education by St Rita’s also ceased with the school reverting to Primary teaching only and renamed St Patrick’s.
Reidy House was the third convent building to be occupied by the Sisters. Prior to their convent being built, the Sisters lived in the former Brockhurst Hospital, then before that in 12 Britannia Street. Reidy House was named after Rev Father Michael Reidy who was a Catholic Priest in Katanning. In 1973 the Sisters moved out and the convent was sold to the State Government. Reidy house has been used as an annex for St Andre’s Hostel and now houses the Government Department of Community Services.
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REIDY HOUSE
Today, St Rita’s is called Reidy House and is used as state government offices
Reidy House was named after Rev Father Michael Reidy who was a Catholic Priest in Katanning.In 1973 the Sisters moved out and the convent was sold to the State Government. Reidy house has been used as an annex for St Andrew’s Hostel and now houses the Government Department of Community Services.
Originally built by the “Our Lady of the Missions” sisters in 1927 as Catholic primary school known as “St Rita’s School.” After the nuns moved into new premises in 1973, the building was sold to the state government and is now used as government offices. It also housed Katanning’s first connections to the world wide web.
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FATHER MICHAEL REIDY
Fr Reidy was Irish and a very popular figure around town and he mixed with persons and ministers of all religions. He combined his religious ideas with being a great sportsman and horse owner. He was instrumental in having the church in Amherst Street constructed and obtaining the services of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions. Under his pastoral care three rooms of St Rita’s, now St Patrick’s school, was constructed.
In the late 1920s Fr Reidy drove his old bomb of a car the 40 miles to Gnowangerup to celebrate Mass once a month. After Mass he usually called at Martinup on his way back to Katanning. Huge roast dinners were prepared for Father and the adult members of the Treasure family. Fr Reidy left Katanning in 1935 for Northam and later West Perth.
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ROBERT O’LEARY
Master Robert O’Leary, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. O’Leary, of Katanning, is the lucky winner of the Lynn Scholarship for 1933. This scholarship entitles him to two years at the Christian Brothers’ College, Perth, and three years at the University, Perth.
Robert’s school in Katanning is exceedingly proud of him, and both teachers and pupils extend their heartiest congratulations and wish him every success in the wonderful school career that is before him.
At the beginning of the year 1931, Robert was promoted to the Junior class, but only on trial, he being then 12 years of age. He was determined to keep his place in the class, and at the mid of the year sat for his Junior exam, securing a very good pass, the subjects being as follow: English, Latin, French, Maths. A, Maths. B, Biology, History, Drawing. Continue Reading