IN THE BEGINNING
In the very beginning, the Riverton parish of ‘Queen of Apostles’ was instrumental in the decision to build a catholic primary school in Willetton.
Orana Catholic Primary School began life in February, 1980. The foundation principal, Sister Myrene Erdman of the Loreto Sisters, was head of a staff comprising herself, three teachers and a pre-primary aide. There was also a gardener, a cleaner and volunteer office and canteen staff.
Initial enrolment was 85 students and there were four classes - Pre-Primary, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3.
The school was officially opened by Archbishop Foley on Sunday, 30 November 1980.
The area was growing rapidly as a residential suburb and the ‘Queen of Apostles’ parish council discussed the need for a new school at their meeting in August, 1978.
A booklet outlining information on catholic schools in the south-east region of Perth, printed before the school was opened, directed prospective parents to either the school or the parish priest at Riverton.
Orana Catholic Primary School began life in February, 1980 and was known as Willetton Catholic Primary School. The present Willetton parish of Saints John and Paul had not yet been established.
A decision was made between the school board, parents and Sister Myrene to rename the school Orana.
Sister Myrene, who had previously worked with indigenous people in the north of Western Australia, thought this aboriginal word meaning ‘welcome’ was appropriate.
It was to prove a very fitting name as Orana was to become a multicultural school which served a parish community made up of 50 plus nationalities.
SCHOOL MOTTO
The original school motto was ‘to give and receive’. It was changed in 1993, by then principal Margaret Sleight, to become ‘to give is to receive’.
SCHOOL VISION
In 1994, the school mission statement was created: Orana Catholic Primary School is a parish school which welcomes all in providing a total education within an harmonious environment that is founded upon the gospel values. It is a community where the potential and dignity of each person is nurtured.
In 2012, a small change was made to the Mission Statement: a ‘just and harmonious’ environment.
2023 has seen a change in our school vision to reflect our changing times:
Orana Catholic Primary School is a vibrant learning community, within the Saints John and Paul Parish in Willetton. We are child-focused and value the partnerships between home and school in the education of the whole child to nurture life-long learners. We believe in a just and inclusive community, where the dignity and goodness of each person is respected and are led by our values, that celebrate diversity and inclusion.
