50yr-logo-rev

 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.

1843

First Catholic school founded in Western Australia in 1843

1843
First Catholic school founded in Western Australia in 1843

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

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1844

Religious Orders provided the foundation of Catholic education in Western Australia

1844
Religious Orders provided the foundation of Catholic education in Western Australia

Image: Sisters of Mercy. Credit: Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta website.

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1946

1846-1946 Centenary of the Catholic Church in Western Australia

1946
1846-1946 Centenary of the Catholic Church in Western Australia

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

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1970

1970 – 1979 Schools Timeline

1970
1970 – 1979 Schools Timeline

Image: Sister M M Joseph of the Sisters of Mercy. Credit: Marion Doss.

We acknowledge our Catholic schools and educators through the decade.

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1974

Establishment of the Aboriginal Education Program

1974
Establishment of the Aboriginal Education Program

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.

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1975

The Catholic Institute founded

1975
The Catholic Institute founded

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

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1980

1980 – 1989 Schools Timeline

1980
1980 – 1989 Schools Timeline

Image: Boab Trees in the Kimberley. Credit: Zest-pk

We acknowledge our Catholic schools and educators through the decade.

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1989

Establishment of the University of Notre Dame Australia

1989
Establishment of the University of Notre Dame Australia

Image: University of Notre Dame Western Australia. Credit: University of Notre Dame Western Australia

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1990

1990 – 1999 Schools Timeline

1990
1990 – 1999 Schools Timeline

Image: South West, Western Australia. Credit: Laurie R B

We acknowledge our Catholic schools and educators through the decade.

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1993

150 Year Celebrations

1993
150 Year Celebrations

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.

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2000

2000 – 2009 Schools Timeline

2000
2000 – 2009 Schools Timeline

Image: Sister Irene McCormack

We acknowledge our Catholic schools and educators through the decade.

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2010

2010 – 2019 Schools Timeline

2010
2010 – 2019 Schools Timeline

Image: Salvado Catholic College Opening

We acknowledge our Catholic schools and educators through the decade.

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2020

2020 – today Schools Timeline

2020
2020 – today Schools Timeline

Image: Bunbury Catholic College. Credit: Bunbury Catholic College

We acknowledge our Catholic schools and educators through the decade.

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Catholic Education Western Australia acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Owners and Elders, both past and present, of the lands on which Catholic Education Western Australia's schools, offices and operations are located.