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. 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: Sister M M Joseph of the Sisters of Mercy. Credit: Marion Doss. We acknowledge our Catholic schools and educators through the decade. 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. 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. 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. Image: Sister Irene McCormack We acknowledge our Catholic schools and educators through the decade. Image: Salvado Catholic College Opening We acknowledge our Catholic schools and educators through the decade. 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
1846-1946 Centenary of the Catholic Church in Western Australia
1946
1970 – 1979 Schools Timeline
1970
Establishment of the Aboriginal Education Program
1974
The Catholic Institute founded
1975
1980 – 1989 Schools Timeline
1980
Establishment of the University of Notre Dame Australia
1989
1990 – 1999 Schools Timeline
1990
150 Year Celebrations
1993
2000 – 2009 Schools Timeline
2000
2010 – 2019 Schools Timeline
2010
2020 – today Schools Timeline
2020
