Our History

t Benedict’s has a proud history which is intertwined with the parish, community families, teaching staff and pupils to provide a nurturing environment based on our strong values.

In 1950 the two Parishes of Ngaio and Khandallah combined and were renamed Onslow Parish as the majority of area was in the Onslow Borough. Father Tim O’Brien was appointed Parish Priest and tasked with establishing a junior school.

The current site in Nicholson Road was purchased in 1952, and the school officially opened on 7th September that year by His Grace Archbishop P McKeefry. The school cost 12,000 pounds and the first classes began on Wednesday 10th September with 152 pupils.

Initially catering for infants through to Standard 6, the junior school underwent several changes due to space constraints. Junior classes were temporarily closed in 1966 but returned in 1972, with senior students transitioning to other Catholic schools.

The Brigidine Sisters led the school in its early years, with Mother Killian as the first Principal.

As enrolments grew, so did the school’s facilities. In February 1980, Cardinal Tom Williams, then Archbishop, officially opened four new classrooms, staffroom and library.

St Benedict’s became integrated with the State School Education System in 1981. Continued development followed, including a new library (1994). Administration block (2002), and extensive school grounds improvements.

St Benedict’s celebrated its 50th Jubilee in 2002, marking decades of milestones and community spirit. Recent highlights include record enrolments (over 300 students from 2018–2021), the installation of a multi-use turf field in 2019, and a major rebuild of the school’s entrance and office areas in 2020.