It was back in September 1964 that the St Gerard Majella Catholic School at Carlingford was opened by Father Nolan. The first teacher Mrs Ruane had a class of 40 Kindergarten and Year One students and was joined by several nuns from the Parramatta Mercy Convent. Initially it was up to parents to generously provide transport for the nuns from Parramatta to Carlingford each day until Father Nolan purchased a car for them.
By 1969 there were three Sisters of Mercy on the staff and 130 applications for Kindergarten alone.
Over the years volunteer parents and parishioners provided labour for the various building projects, working together to build a community and a school.
A strong spirit of service still endures today with a group of parents having recently co-ordinated the creation of a mosaic to celebrate the School turning 50 this year. Students, teachers and parishoners, with ties to the school, were all invited to craft their own tile which were in turn applied as part of a complete artwork on a prominent wall within the school grounds – a wonderful memento in recognition of a proud history of education