History
A Legacy of Faith, Learning, and Growth
St Philomena’s Catholic School has been a cornerstone of education in Moree since 1898, when the Sisters of Mercy arrived from Gunnedah to establish a convent and school. Under the leadership of Mother Aloysius, the school’s foundation was laid with a commitment to providing quality primary education. Originally located in east Moree, the school relocated to its current site in 1970.
On 24 February 1972, St Philomena’s faced one of its greatest challenges when a fire nearly destroyed the school. Thanks to the swift efforts of emergency services and the unwavering support of the local community, alternative classrooms were arranged, and students returned to learning within days.
Leading Growth and Innovation
Over the years, St Philomena’s has continued to grow in both student population and infrastructure. Key milestones include:
Kevin Humphries (1995-2001): The first lay principal, who oversaw classroom refurbishments and the re-establishment of the secondary department.
Bernadette de Dassel (2002-2004): The first female lay principal, who led the school’s first Year 10 graduation since 1967 and developed the inaugural Strategic Plan.
Patrick Roohan (2005 – 2008): Oversaw the capital works of the new Art/TAS building. Opened in 2008.
Karen Jagers (2009-2019): Oversaw significant capital works, including a new school hall and the transformation of classrooms into modern learning environments. Through strong community partnerships, outdoor learning and play spaces were also revitalised.
Jamie McDowall (2020-2023): Led the school through the challenges of a global pandemic, establishing St Philomena’s as a leader in digital learning. He also worked alongside the School Advisory Council to begin major upgrades to secondary and administration facilities.
A New Chapter of Growth and Vision
In 2025, Alistair Stewart steps into the role of principal, bringing a future-focused vision that builds upon the school’s strong foundation. As we look ahead, St Philomena’s remains dedicated to providing a nurturing, faith-filled learning environment where every child is supported to grow, achieve, and succeed.
