200 Years of Catholic Education in Australia

The first Catholic school in Australia was founded in October 1820 by Irish Catholic priest Fr John Therry and run by convict and lay person George Marley. The school, which Catholic historians believe was in Hunter Street, Parramatta, taught 31 students. 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 formal celebrations were due to be held from October 2020 to October 2021. However, due to pandemic restrictions, the celebrations will now be held during the 2021 school year.

At COHR, at Assembly on Monday our prayer focused on the 200 year celebration, children received a prayer card which included an image of Mary Help of Christians, the patroness of Australia and we have begun a display in the foyer.

You may like to take a moment to pray the 200 Year National Prayer:

Almighty and all-loving God,

with gratitude for the endeavours of Catholic education in the past,

with confidence in our Catholic pre-schools, schools and universities today,

and with faith in their continuing contribution in the future,

we celebrate 200 years of Catholic education in this Great South Land.

As our Heavenly Father,

we thank you for your providential care for your children in this land

in inspiring priests, religious and lay people

to found and staff our schools in ages past.

Through them the Good News of your Son was brought to the young

even in colonial times – and ever since.

As Christ the Teacher,

you grace the staff and leaders of Catholic education today.

As they build on the achievements of their predecessors

direct them in their present efforts

to ensure that every young Australian has the opportunity

for an excellent education and formation in faith.

As our Inspiring Spirit,

you lead us into the future.

In the century ahead grant those teaching and

learning in our schools,

those planning and leading,

and the families and community that entrust

their young people to us,

a love of learning and a willingness to be the

face of Christin the world of tomorrow.

Pour out your abundant blessings upon all involved in

the ministry of Catholic education.

Amen.

Our Lady of the Southern Cross – pray for us.

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Patron of Catholic Education in Australia – pray for us.