OUR STORY

FAITH, TRUTH AND KNOWLEDGE

St Finbar's is proud to be part of Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese's system of 80 Catholic primary and secondary schools operating across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains providing more than 43,500 students with a high-quality, low fee Catholic education.

We are a welcoming Christian community that encourages every student to achieve their full potential.

St Finbar's celebrate all types of learners in an inclusive and nurturing environment.

FAITH, TRUTH AND KNOWLEDGE

Students learning together at St Finbar’s Catholic Primary Glenbrook

Our mission is to provide a holistic and engaging environment that supports every child to reach their full potential.

Our community believes:

Christ is present in each of us and the Gospel teachings are at the centre of our being
staff, parents and parish are in partnership with each other in educating the children
our school is a safe place where the individual feels valued and safe
children learn best when they experience a positive learning environment

We value:

the school's role in the Parish and wider community
the dignity of the individual and quality relationships
the contributions of each member to the life of the school
the highly professional staff who are committed to the welfare and education of the children.

OUR SCHOOL CREST

Our school crest features the Pax Christi cross, symbolising the 'Peace of Christ.' The words of our motto, 'Faith, Truth, and Knowledge’ speak to the values that guide our entire school community.

OUR SCHOOL CREST

St Finbar’s Catholic Primary Glenbrook School Crest

OUR HISTORY

Named for an Irish monk and founded by the Sisters of St Joseph, our school enjoys a rich history in the Blue Mountains and beyond.

St Finbar's was established in 1912 by the Sisters of St Joseph, the order co-founded by St Mary MacKillop. The pioneering sisters taught the children of railway workers in a makeshift classroom that doubled as the original church.

When the Glenbrook railway tunnel was completed, local families moved on and the school closed. As the population increased after World War II, the sisters reopened to accommodate 40 children from kindergarten to Year 3.

In 1954, a small wooden building was erected and became St Finbar’s.

Built on the strong traditions of our past, our school today has evolved into a rich and contemporary learning environment. The original church – now over 100 years old – has been refurbished and renamed as the Fr Thomas Barlow Community Centre in honour of our pioneering priest.

Throughout the years, St Finbar’s Primary has continued major upgrades to school buildings and resources, bringing the campus truly into the 21st century.

In 2015, St Finbar's celebrated our 60th anniversary. Join us in writing the next chapter!