Principal's Message

200 Years of Catholic Education

Over 2021, Catholic Education is celebrating 200 years in Australia, marking the bicentenary of the first Catholic school which was established in Parramatta, New South Wales, in October 1820. This school was founded by Irish Catholic priest Fr John Therry and run by convict and lay person George Marley. The school started with 31 students and by 1833 there were 10 Catholic schools in the colony.

Over 200 years, Catholic schools have grown to become the largest provider of schooling in Australia (outside government) with one in five school age students attending a Catholic school. This represents 777,000 students in 1,755 schools across the country and employing over 100,000 teachers and staff. Nearly 40 per cent of Catholic schools are located outside of metropolitan cities in regional, rural and remote communities.

The theme for this celebratory year, “Faith in the future,” reflects the core purpose of Catholic education which is to form students in their faith, and to provide an education that enables all graduates to make a meaningful contribution to their local and global community. The theme reflects Catholic Education’s commitment to build on the great work of those who have come before us, and to provide a Catholic education for future generations of students in a world that is rapidly changing and poses new challenges for Catholic school communities. However, we have faith that all who are contributors to Catholic Education will face these challenges and continue to build on, and strengthen the mission of the Church.

It is important to remember the contribution of the Brigidine contribution to Catholic Education. First arriving in Australia in 1883, the Brigidine legacy has continued to grow and countless members of our community have been touched by their mission of service to others. Whilst we have not been able to celebrate in a fulsome way it is nonetheless important to acknowledge all the Catholic Education has to offer and specifically the contribution of our school, Marian College.

Raymond Pisani

Principal