Our history begins with the acknowledgement of all First Peoples of this land and celebration of their enduring connections to Country, knowledge and stories. As an important part of our school history, we specifically and respectfully acknowledge the Turrabul and Jagera People who are the Traditional Custodians of this land and we pay our respects to Elders – past, present and emerging on whose land our school resides. In colonial times the area of New Farm was used, some 400 acres to cultivate maize, potatoes, pumpkins and the like. The area became known as the new farm and ultimately New Farm. The first buildings appeared in 1847.
In 1923, when a house was brought to be used as a Mass centre, New Farm began to be developed as a part of the Valley parish.
Holy Spirit Church was opened on June 1st 1930.
Holy Spirit School, (founded by the Sisters of Mercy) with Sister Mary Benigna in charge, assisted by Sister Mary Paul and Sister Philomene, opened on Monday July 7th 1930.The school opened with seventy-nine students, two-thirds girls; one-third boys. It had classes for infants, junior and senior classes. The existing Mass centre was used for school until 1937.
A new school building was erected in 1937 to replace the old building. This building is still standing and is the main section we use for classes today. (the two storey block) It was blessed and opened by Archbishop Duhig. “A large and distinguished gathering assembled, and amongst the guests was His Lordship the Administrator-Apostolic of Kimberley, who delivered an inspiring address to the people." (The Catholic Leader, Sept 30 1937) It cost four thousand pounds, paid for by the generosity of the parish and anonymous donors.
Extensions were made to the building in 1959, which is the ground level block you can see from Villiers Street. Holy Spirit Hall was opened in 1966 as a Memorial Hall. The Resource Centre, Resource Centre annex and tuckshop area were opened in November 1984 and the Resource Centre dedicated to Sister Rosita Williams.
The Convent (now Prep & Year 1 classrooms) was opened in 1970 and until 2002 was home to some religious. In January 2003 the Convent was refurbished as a Preschool / Year 1 facility. In 2004 the school administration area, staffroom and 2 downstairs classrooms were refurbished. In 2006 the remaining upstairs classrooms were refurbished, and a Resource Centre was developed downstairs in place of the original classrooms. The Parents & Friends Association completed air-conditioning the school in October 2006. In 2010 the library was extended and the hall and tennis court experienced extensive refurbishment. In 2012 two new classrooms were built under the existing Prep classrooms to accommodate increasing enrolments. Future building works are planned to build more classrooms to accommodate the families that are wanting their children to come to Holy Spirit School.
The school motto: “To Know What Is Right" is part of the rich cultural tradition that has always been with the school.
