Holy Rosary School in Heathcote, Victoria, has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. The township was founded in the 1850s following the discovery of gold at McIvor Creek. The first Catholic establishment in Heathcote was Sacred Heart located at South Heathcote (Argyle) with the chapel functioning as a male and female Roman Catholic School and for Sunday Mass. This chapel was destroyed by a violent storm in 1862 and a temporary school and chapel was erected on the corner of Pohlman St and Ebden St. A new school was built in 1910 and soon after, Father O’Dee suggested building a convent to accommodate the nuns and, on Sunday the 30th of May 1926, the two storied brick convent that still stands proudly on the school grounds was officially opened. The Presentation Sisters were to oversee the administration and teaching. 

 

The Presentation Sisters were founded By Nano Nagle in Cork, Ireland in the 1775. At the time it was illegal to operate a Catholic School due to oppressive Penal Laws so Nano courageously walked the streets at night with a lantern seeking out poor and vulnerable children in need of education. Working in secret, Nano taught children to read and write and by the time of her death in 1974 she had established seven schools. The Presentation sisters are now a worldwide religious institution with a mission to alleviate oppression and promote human dignity. 

 

In 1959 the Holy Rosary School was built next to the convent after transferring from their South Heathcote Sacred Heart site and the two schools combined. The boarding school closed and the nuns continued their daily teaching until 1974. The Presentation sisters ceased duties in Heathcote in 1974 and the first lay principal was appointed. 

 

Over the years, Holy Rosary has grown in both size and reputation, becoming a cornerstone of the local community. For more than a century, the school has been dedicated to offering a holistic education, with a focus on academic excellence, faith formation, and community engagement. It has maintained its strong Catholic ethos, instilling values of honesty, respect, and service in its students. 

 

In recent years, Holy Rosary has continued to evolve, adapting to modern educational needs while preserving its traditions. The school remains a cherished institution in Heathcote, fostering a nurturing environment where students can grow spiritually, intellectually, and socially. In 2013 the playground was installed and in 2016 the car park was remodelled. The Covered Outdoor Learning Centre (COLA), shed and clubhouse were a major additions to the school yard in 2018. The Administration building was remodelled in 2019 to reposition the school entrance from Pohlman St to Ebden St, providing a safer, more inclusive environment with greater visibility of the playground and car park. The Administration building was officially named The Nagle Centre in 2023 as a tribute to Nano Nagle.