The first school was not built until 1928, so for the first few years, infants were taught in Fr. Colohan's car shed and the older children in the old church.

The Good Samaritan Sisters continued teaching for the next thirty-five years. On January 29, 1954, the Sisters of Mercy from Grafton began teaching at Macksville with 150 pupils.

Over the years, the school has gone from strength to strength.

Vin Butler has been principal for the last 14 years and says one of the biggest changes he's seen is how technology is now used in the classrooms as a teaching tool.

Assistant Principal Helen Spear is one of the longest-serving staff members with 30-years service. Helen says the school has always been a large part of her life, and like many in the community, her own children were educated at the school.

In 2016, the school opened on a new site. The rooms are now open plan, cleverly designed and embedded with the latest technology. Outside there are soft-fall areas and a covered outdoor learning area.

It is a magnificent facility - and the perfect place to continue the rich history of St Patrick's School.

The centenary will be celebrated on Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6.

All past and present students, families, priests, staff and friends are invited to join the celebrations.

It's a chance to take a trip along memory lane as well as reconnect with old school friends.

You may even like to attend as a family. The school has a great tradition of educating multiple generations, for example, one local family has seen five generations attend the school as pupils.

Friday, April 5

Saturday, April 6

Were you a pupil in 1999?

If you were at the school twenty years ago, you may remember the school burying a time capsule. This will be opened on Friday with the contents put on display. It's sure to bring the memories flooding back.