A journey through time
2021 marks 50 years since the Bishops of Western Australia brought together Catholic schools across their four Dioceses into one state-wide system with the establishment of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia. In this year of St Joseph, patron of the Universal Church, the 50th anniversary will be celebrated alongside the 200th anniversary of Catholic education in Australia.
Catholic education in Western Australia has grown to 163 Catholic schools
educating 78,000 students and employing 11,000 teachers and staff.
In December 1843 building commenced on a small church, St John the Evangelist that later became Perth’s first Cathedral. This building housed the first Western Australian Catholic school which was Image: Sisters of Mercy. Credit: Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta website. The creation of a new Diocese of Perth and Father Brady’s appointment as first Bishop was announced in a document from the Vatican. 1846 – 1946 Centenary of the Catholic Church in Western Australia “A hundred years”, says the Scripture, ”is but as a day in His sight’. While this is obviously true Image: Survey Papers. Credit: The Bees Image: Sister M M Joseph of the Sisters of Mercy. Credit: Marion Doss. We acknowledge our Catholic schools and educators through the decade. In May 1971 the Bishops of Western Australia brought together Catholic schools across their four Dioceses (Perth, Broome, Geraldton and Bunbury) into one state-wide system with the establishment of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia. Monsignor James Nestor appointed Director of Catholic Education in Western Australia and Chair of Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia. Image: Bishop Peter Quinn. Credit: Archdiocese of Perth On the establishment of the Catholic Education Commission, Bishop Quinn became the first Chairperson, Father James Nestor its first Director and in 1972 Dr Richard McSweeney its Chief Research Officer. Image: Long Road. Credit Siddie Nam. Programs were developed and, by 1976 22 Aboriginal aides were employed across Catholic schools. The first Aboriginal Teaching Assistant position was first created in Holy Rosary School, Derby. In 1974, new premises at Henry Street, Shenton Park were moved into. The Catholic Institute was founded by the Bishops and major Superiors to train teachers (increasingly lay people) for Catholic schools. Subjects included scripture, theology and religious education methodology. It was Image: Boab Trees in the Kimberley. Credit: Zest-pk We acknowledge our Catholic schools and educators through the decade. Dr Peter Tannock served as Director Catholic Education in WA and Chair of the Catholic Education Commission of WA (CECWA) from 1985 until 1992. As the Catholic Education office site on Salvado Road, Wembley was proving inadequate, Dr Tannock, as the new Director began to seek out other premises. Sister Leonie O’Brien who was The buildings and grounds that are home to Catholic Education Western Australia are steeped in the rich history of the Catholic tradition in Western Australia. Catholic Education Western Australia’s head office in West Leederville was opened by Pope John Paul II on 30 November 1986 – the only building in Australia to have been opened by a reigning Pope. Image: University of Notre Dame Western Australia. Credit: University of Notre Dame Western Australia Image: South West, Western Australia. Credit: Laurie R B We acknowledge our Catholic schools and educators through the decade. Thursday 9 September saw perfect weather dawn for the official celebrations of Catholic Education Day and the 150th Anniversary of Catholic Education and the Church in Western Australia. Therese Temby served as Director Catholic Education in Western Australia from 1993 until 2003. Bishop Robert Healy first arrived in Perth in 1950 as a young priest. After holding the role of Chair of the CECWA for eight years Bishop Robert Healy was replaced by Monsignor Michael Keating in 2002. Image: Sister Irene McCormack We acknowledge our Catholic schools and educators through the decade. Monsignor Michael Keating appointed Chair of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia in 2002. Ron Dullard served as Director Catholic Education in Western Australia from 2003 until 2012. Image: Salvado Catholic College Opening We acknowledge our Catholic schools and educators through the decade. Dr Tim McDonald served as Director Catholic Education Western Australia from 2012 until 2018. The Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia (CECWA) and Catholic Education Western Australia Limited (CEWA), including In 2013 Bishop Gerard Holohan, Bishop of Bunbury, was appointed Chair of CECWA and remains in the role. Our history in Aboriginal education dates back as far as 1847, with reconciliation emerging as a system focus more recently. Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) are committed to ensuring that “Transforming Lives Strategy 2025” is a multifaceted strategy, with a focus on strengthening relationships between schools and their local Aboriginal community. The wellbeing and safety of all students is the highest priority for Catholic schools. CEWA is committed to child safety and leading and supporting a child safe culture for all Dr Debra Sayce appointed Executive Director Catholic Education Western Australia on 23 November 2018. Catholic Education Western Australia’s approach to learning is underpinned by evidence-based research, draws on the experiences and expertise of some of the world’s leading education experts and is enabled by Strategic Directions 2019-2023 for the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia (CECWA) sets out the four key priorities for our system. The Strategic Directions is the result of an extensive In December 2019 CEWA Ltd was established by the Bishops of Western Australia. Image: Bunbury Catholic College. Credit: Bunbury Catholic College We acknowledge our Catholic schools and educators through the decade.
First Catholic school founded in Western Australia in 1843
1843
Religious Orders provided the foundation of Catholic education in Western Australia
1844
The creation of the Diocese of Perth and Father Brady’s appointment as first Bishop
1845
1846-1946 Centenary of the Catholic Church in Western Australia
1946
A comprehensive survey of Catholic school needs in Western Australia was published
1970
1970 – 1979 Schools Timeline
1970
Establishment of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia
1971
Monsignor James Nestor appointed
1971
Appointment of Father James Nestor, Bishop Quinn and Dr Richard McSweeney
1972
Dr Peter Tannock delivers speech “Quo Vadimus? Future Directions for Catholic Education in Australia”
1972
Establishment of the Aboriginal Education Program
1974
New premises at Henry Street Shenton Park
1974
The Catholic Institute founded
1975
1980 – 1989 Schools Timeline
1980
Dr Peter Tannock appointed Director Catholic Education in WA and Chair of the Catholic Education Commission of WA.
1985
Purchase of 50 Ruislip Street for Catholic Education Office Western Australia
1985
Pope John Paul II opens Catholic Education Centre
1986
Establishment of the University of Notre Dame Australia
1989
1990 – 1999 Schools Timeline
1990
150 Year Celebrations
1993
Therese Temby appointed Director Catholic Education in Western Australia
1993
Bishop Robert Healy appointed Chair of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia
1993
2000 – 2009 Schools Timeline
2000
Monsignor Michael Keating appointed Chair of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia
2002
Ron Dullard appointed Director Catholic Education in Western Australia
2003
2010 – 2019 Schools Timeline
2010
Dr Tim McDonald appointed Director Catholic Education in Western Australia
2012
Bishop Gerard Holohan, Bishop of Bunbury, appointed Chair of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia
2013
Launch of the first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) by CEWA
2016
Launch of “Transforming Lives” strategy
2017
Launch of CEWA Child Safe Framework
2018
Dr Debra Sayce appointed Executive Director Catholic Education Western Australia
2018
Launch of Vision for Learning
2019
Launch of Strategic Directions 2019-2023 for the Catholic Education Commission of WA
2019
2019 CEWA Ltd was established
2019
2020 – today Schools Timeline
2020
