St. Mary's Primary School is a small Catholic primary school situated in the city bowl, near the public gardens. It was founded by the Dominican Sisters in 1863 and has changed considerably over the past 149 years from an exclusive private school for girls to a co-educational state primary school, serving the needs of the wider community and catering for all. Upholding the Catholic Pastoral Plan of "Community serving humanity", St. Mary's continues the proud tradition of excellence, with its Catholic character and its motto "Veritas".