Principal’s Message

A warm welcome to St Finbar’s Catholic Primary School, Sans Souci.

We are a dynamic, caring and Christ-centred school community, guided by a clear vision: to be a faith-filled community that nurtures, empowers and shines. This vision is at the heart of everything we do.

As Principal, I am proud to lead a school where collaboration, respect, challenge, support and empowerment are woven into the fabric of our daily life. We believe that when these values are present, every student is given the opportunity to flourish.

Our dedicated and passionate staff care deeply for each child, nurturing their minds, bodies, and spirits. In our close-knit community, we offer learning experiences that develop the whole person and support every student in reaching their full potential.

We encourage our students to adopt a growth mindset, believe in themselves and set meaningful goals for personal growth. By fostering a love of learning, resilience, and compassion, we empower our students to become confident, capable individuals who are a shining light to others.

I warmly invite you to explore our website and learn more about the vibrant life of our school. With a strong focus on student wellbeing, ongoing professional learning for staff and a commitment to continuous growth, St Finbar’s is a place where your child will be supported, challenged, and inspired to thrive and shine.

Clare Boland
Principal

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History
St Finbar’s Catholic Primary School Sans Souci was established in 1926 when Fr John Driscoll arranged for the sisters of St Joseph, led by principal Sr Elaine Ryan RSJ, to set up a school in the original church building, which still stands today. Travelling to school each day on a steam train, the sisters taught around 135 students in one building.

In 1936, the Sisters of Mercy (Wilcannia-Forbes Congregation) established a convent at Sans Souci and took over the running of the school with Sr Mary Claver RSM as the first Mercy principal. The school continued to share the church building until 1959 when the new church was opened which remains our current church.

Sydney Catholic Schools eventually assumed leadership over the school, appointing the first lay principal, Mrs Evelyn Graves in 1984, which led to the school being entirely staffed by lay teachers to this day.

Charism
Our patron saint, St Finbar, inspires us to be contemplative and self-reflective. His life of prayer, peace, and devotion calls to us a relationship with God and benefits us in this busy world. Through our school prayer, we capture our combined charism to foster in students a desire to make a difference in others’ lives.

The Sisters of St Joseph, whose founder was St Mary of the Cross Mackillop, inspires us to ‘never see a need without doing something about it’. This calls us to be people of action.

The Sisters of Mercy inspire us to live focusing on the values of unity, respect, compassion, diversity, dignity, justice, equality, service, and hospitality.

Our school motto encompasses all our values inviting us to be the best we can be and to ‘shine on the world like bright stars’ (Philippians 2:15).

Our Vision
A faith-filled community that nurtures, empowers, and shines.

Our Mission

  • Nurturing in faith and love.
  • Empowering through challenge with support
  • Contributing positively to our world.

Our Principles 

  • Nurture
  • Empower
  • Shine

Sacramental Programs
The Sacramental programs connect our school and parish, and preparation for and the celebration of the Sacraments are a combined effort between the parish and the school. Guided by our parish priest, coordinated by the parish’s Sacramental Team coordinator, taught by parish volunteers, and supported by each child’s parents, the class teacher and Religious Education coordinator, each sacrament occurs as follows.

First Reconciliation: 3–4 week program in  February/March. Recommended for Year 3.
First Eucharist: 3–4 week program in May/June. Recommended for Year 3.
Confirmation: 4–5 week program in April/May. Recommended for Year 6.
NB: These dates will be published in the parish bulletin.
Parish Priest: Fr Tom Carol

Website: St Finbar San Souci parish website

Mass times

  • Tuesday: 6.30–7.00pm
  • Wednesday: 9.30am
  • Thursday: 9.30am
  • Friday: 9.30am
  • Saturday: 5.30pm
  • Sunday: 8.30am
Proudly Part of the Community of Sydney Catholic Schools

Our school is part of a system of 147 low-fee Catholic schools in the Sydney Archdiocese.

Sydney Catholic Schools are thriving Catholic communities that ignite a love of Christ through excellent teaching and learning to empower students to reach their full potential.