St Kieran's Primary School is part of the Catholic Community of North Harbour Parish. It is a vibrant and close-knit community, with the school being an integral part of the overall parish life. The school’s vision statement reflects strongly this belief in the relationships between the school, the parish and the home. It is seen as a source of strength and unity amongst the groups. The school’s motto, "To learn and to love", is highly valued by the whole community – students, parents and teachers.
St Kieran’s was one of the parishes that was established on the Peninsula from the original parish of Manly. Monsignor McDonald, the legendary parish priest of Manly, dedicated the church in honour of the patron saint of his old school, St Kieran’s College, in Kilkenny.
The foundation stone of St Kieran’s Church/School was laid on April 20 1952 by the late Bishop Eris O’Brien, on behalf of the late Cardinal Gilroy and the first mass was celebrated by Rev. Father John Walsh, the assistant priest from Manly. The Augustinian priests took responsibility for the parish in this year. Father D.B. Ormonde OSA was appointed as the first Parish priest. The Augustinians have provided guidance and support to the school since this time. They have contributed greatly to the everyday life of the school and to its strategic direction.
St Kieran’s Parish School was opened in January 1953 with an enrolment of 30 children. In February 1955, an extension of two classrooms was made to the school/church. The Sisters of the Good Samaritan ran the school from the beginning until 1974 when they handed over the Principalship to a lay person. The Sisters continued to be part of the staff until 1977, when they withdrew from the school altogether.
Our Patron Saint: St Kieran
We know him as St Kieran, but in the Gaelic language there is no letter K. Ciaran Mac an Tsair, or Ciaran the Son of the Carpenter, was thought to have been born in 516AD at Cape Clear, Ireland – in south-west Cork. He died on September 9, 540AD of the yellow plague. Ciaran is remembered today as being the founder of the great teaching monastery at Clonmacnoise. He is also remembered for having a number of colourful legends associated with his life.