THE Wrafter family has had four generations pass through the school gates of St Pius Primary School, Banyo, over the last 75 years.
With World Day of Grandparents and Elderly today, The Catholic Leader is sharing their family story full of fond memories of their time at the school.
Anthony Wrafter, known as Tony by his friends and family, was the first student in the family to attend St Pius Primary School as a Year 6 student when the school opened in 1947.
Mr Wrafter was known by his family as an adventurous but kind-hearted young boy.
Tony’s son, David Wrafter, said his father held many fond memories of his time at St Pius Primary School.
“My father said his first classes were held under the Presbytery and he was thrilled to be going to St Pius, as it was close to home and meant he didn’t have to catch a train to get to school anymore,” David said.
“In those days students as young as 5 years old would catch the train to school independently.
“He served as one of the altar boys at the opening of St Pius by Archbishop Duhig, which he took great pride in.”
David said his father loved St Pius Primary School so much that he decided to send all four of his boys to the school.
“My twin brother Michael and I started in 1970,” David said.
“That year there were only 51 students, and our teacher was Sister Delarosa.
“Back then the sisters of St Joseph were strict and had us all under control.
“Every year Dad was a checkpoint starter on the walkathons, and Mum volunteered in the tuckshop.
“My grade two teacher was Mrs Delphine Sawden and it was her first year at the school, she was one of my favourite teachers.
“Mrs Sawden later taught both of David’s sons, Jason in 1994, and Mathew in 1998.
“My last year at St Pius was Year 7 in 1976, the same year the old church was destroyed by fire.
“I married Jannine in 1988 and we bought a house in Nudgee.
“We have always loved the area, it’s close to family and friends, and it was a given to send our two boys to St Pius, with Jason attending in 1994 to 2000, and Mathew in 1998 to 2004.
“When my sons eventually attended the school in the 90s, they were developing the front entrance where it is today, on Apperley St.
“I propagated about 70 plants to create the hedge at the front of the school office.
“The bottom two playgrounds were combined to make one big oval, which allowed the students to play cricket.
For St Pius Primary Schools’ 50th Jubilee, in 1997, the then Principal Robert Taylor asked David Wrafter to help bury the time capsule.
“Before we sealed the capsule, we thought we would sign our names on the inside of the lid for a bit of a laugh,” David said.
“Little did I know some 25 years later, I would be opening the time capsule with my two granddaughters, both fourth generation St Pius students, there to witness the grand reveal.”
David Wrafter said he and his wife Jannine love collecting their granddaughters from school every Friday afternoon.
“I take great pride in my family and the long legacy we have with St Pius,” David said.
“The school today looks nothing like it used to back 25 years ago.
“St Pius now looks very impressive, having brand new contemporary classrooms with artificial grass playgrounds and sculptured gardens connecting this inviting learning environment.
“I know my father Tony would be looking down, seeing how far the school has come since 1947, and having great pride in the fact that his great granddaughters attend the school.”
St Pius Primary School principal Peter Gordon said “knowing St Pius has had the same family attending our school since its opening in 1947 is truly incredible”.
“I would like to thank the Wrafter family for their continued involvement in our school community over the past 75 years.”
Pope Francis said World Day of Grandparents and Elderly was an opportunity to proclaim with joy how the Church wanted to celebrate together with all whom the Lord had “filled with days”.
“Let us celebrate it together. I ask you to make this day known in your parishes and communities; to seek out those elderly persons who feel most alone, at home or in residences where they live. Let us make sure that no one feels alone on this day.”
For more information about St Pius Primary School, Banyo click here.
