History

1953

St Laurence’s original church school was officially opened by Bishop Norton. The building cost $25000. The school was staffed by religious Sisters of Mercy. On weekdays the building was used as an infants school and on the weekends it was transformed into a church. The pews stayed on the verandah until they were needed and then moved in the very bare Kindergarten to Second Class rooms. Father Cass was the first parish priest. The present Year 5 and Year 6 classrooms are now situated in this building. There were no fences surrounding the school grounds at this time. The students would walk home for lunch and then return for the afternoon learning session.

1970s

A new St Laurence's Church was built facing Tamworth St. It was officially opened in 1972. The Diocese of Bathurst Catholic Education Office was established to administer a system of parish-based schools, including St Laurence's Infants School. The verandah along the original church building was closed in, in  order to make an extra classroom. This area became a library soon after. A new school building was erected facing Fitzroy St which included two new classrooms, a small staff room and amenities. The present Year 3 and Year 4 classrooms are located in this building. There was also a courtyard in-between the original building and the new building. The Sisters of Mercy and the Daughters of Charity taught up to this time. Several lay teachers were employed as well. In 1977, there were six classrooms and seven teachers.

1980s

In 1980 the first lay principal, Dawn Frazer, was appointed. By 1987 the infants school had an enrolment of 155 children, with six full-time teachers and three part-time teachers.

1990s

Major construction of a new building commenced behind St Laurence's Church backing onto Jubilee St. This incorporated an administration block, staffroom, library, two classrooms, a canteen and amenities. The school was staffed by ten lay teachers and assistants. The school population grew to over 150 students.

Late 2000s

St Laurence's began its transition from a two-stream K-2 Infants school to a one stream K-6 Primary school. A further classroom was added to the end of the Jubilee St building. The present Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms are situated in this building. The school had no resources for primary school and it took many years before it became well-equipped.

2010s

A new hall was completed in 2010. The hall was named Catherine McAuley Hall in honour of the foundress of the Mercy sisters. The school population had grown to approximately 200 students supported by 20 staff members.

2013

St Laurence's School celebrated its 60th anniversary of providing a Catholic education to young people in South Dubbo.