St. Patrick's School Maple Ridge
'''St. Pat's is a co-ed Roman Catholic School in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. It has AbOUT 120 students and about 20 staff members. In 2006 it celebrated 50 years as a parish and school.
Pastor
The current pastor is Rev. Father Richard Au. He has introduced many different measures from previous pastors.
History
In 1950, on five beautiful acres of forestland in the heart of Haney, Father Steele began the challenging task of building St. Patrick's School. The school was opened in September 1956 with a co-educational enrollment of 128 students encompassing grades one to eight. The Sisters of St. Joseph of London, Ontario were the first teachers. Sisters Winnifred, Appolonia and Wendelin aided Sister Eugene the first principal. Initially, only five rooms on the lower floor were available for the students' use, as the upstairs consisted of Father's living quarters, a confessional and a large hall where mass was said. The students then were a very hardy lot and took their gym out of doors year round.
Much has changed at St. Patrick's over the last 48 years. Kindergarten classes were introduced in 1970. To accommodate a growing enrollment, portable classrooms and the St. Patrick's Centre (gym) were later built. The last sister, Sister Sharon McNally left in June 1985. The convent was changed into a school annex to include a larger library, a video room and two meeting rooms. Our current enrollment in grades kindergarten through seven is 232 students serviced by an excellent staff of 20 members.
Currently the new wing of the school is being built. The wing will have three classrooms (Gr. 5/6/7) and one music room along with a male and female bathrooms. The library and meeting room will be restored in the Father Varelle Center.
Religious Life
Philosophy of Christian Education
The Christian Education program is designed to foster growth in the student's faith, in the knowledge of their faith, and in the understanding of themselves as Christian people. Prayer is said in the morning as well as at lunch time.
Religious Education Classes
Participation in the Religious Education Classes is an integral and vital part of the education and formation of each student in the school. It helps lead them to study and learn the history and content of the Catholic Faith. The objective remains to create in them a deep and life-long love for the Church, its Sacraments and prayer life. Classes take place during the school hours.
Masses
The importance of the Mass is recognized at St. Pats both as a way of increasing the Faith of the individual and helping in the building of Christian community. The first Friday of each month there is a school mass in the Church. As well there is an additional mass for only The Primary and intermediate grades once a month.
Uniforms
All students must wear a uniform. Stated purpose for uniforms, often set forth in school uniform policies, include reducing clothing expenditures for parents as well as avoiding distinctions among children based on whose parents can afford to buy them fashionable clothing to wear to school. The conservative clothing is also said to reduce distractions and help with student identification, ensuring that a stranger will stand out among the uniformed students. It also helps show a sense of modesty by all students. Both male and females are required to wear a uniform.