HISTORY OF SLOMŠKOVA ŠOLA BY FATHER VALERIJAN JENKO, O.F.M., O.A.
Schools for the Slovenian language have been present here in Sydney since Slovenians began to settle in Australia shortly after World War II. During 1949 Slovenians began to arrive in Australia in large numbers. In all probability children began to be taught Slovenian in schools shortly after this time by Mr Joze Čujes and other assistants. In 1955 father Bernard Ambrožič OFM arrived in Sydney and was involved with the teaching of many small children in Blacktown, Paddington and elsewhere. Other well known 
teachers of the time included Antonija Vodopivec, Toni Omerzel who taught at St Josephine's in Leichhardt on Saturdays.In 1972 two Catholic sisters arrived in Sydney, sister Ksaverija Jerebič 
and sister Mirjam Horvat. Sister Mirjam immediately began Slovenian language classes for the school-aged children at St Rafael's in Merrylands. On Saturdays she would pick up the children by car, and after lessons also take them back home. She organised and prepared the children for Mother's Day and Father's Day programs, and also for other special events. For some time after sister Mirjam left, Erika Žižek instructed the children.
In 1988 sister Francka Žižek arrived in Sydney and taught at Slomškova šola for eight years until her return to Slovenia with sister Hilarija. 
>From that time onwards Slovenian has been taught here at our Slomškova šola, who we now honour as the blessed Anton Martin Slomšek, by Kristina Šuber and several other assistants. Weinvite parents to enrol their children at our school in order to learn our Slovenian language. Classes are held during the first three Saturdays 
of each month, apart from the school holidays, beginning at 1.00pm.

ENROLMENT DETAILS: FEES, DATES, AND TIMES (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
The cost of attending for the whole year is $25.00 per child. This fee covers paper, folder, excercise book, photocopying, use of books, art and 
craft materials, music folder and end of year Fun Day.Slovenian School at St Rafael's at Merrylands is usually held on the first 
three Saturdays of each school month.
>From 1.00 to 2.30pm we have Slovenian language lessons, a short break, and 
then from 2.30 to 3.00pm we have singing with music. Even if the children 
are unable to attend the language lessons everyone is still welcome to 
join us for singing at 2.30 at...

St. Rafael's Slovenian Church,
Cnr Merrylands Rd and Warwick Rd,
Merrylands  Telephone: 9637 7147
 

There will be a Family Mass held at St Rafael's every last Sunday of the 
month at 9.30am. All very welcome.

We would like to now introduce to you the children of Slomškova sola, 
Merrylands. UPDATES We will include any new information regarding the website in this section.

KOTIČEK MLADIH
Here we will include contributions from the children of Slomskova sola and email messages from you! Eventually we would also like to help Slovenian children from all over Australia link up and establish contact.

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS?
Do the adults have any comments or suggestions? We would be happy to publish them! Give us your thoughts and ideas about what we are doing. We hope that they will be positive as our primary aim will always be to promote being Slovenian in Australia so that we and our children never 
lose the riches of our heritage which we have been so lovingly and patiently handed down to us by our parents and others.