Faith in the Future Commemorative Magazine • Edition 1, April 2021
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Visit catholicsuper.com.au or scan the QR code to find out more. FEATURE Bicentenary of Catholic education launched nationally across Australia
n 18 February 2021, a virtual St Patrick’s Primary, Parramatta students,” Jacinta said. “Australian Olaunch was streamed for Catholic parent representative Michelle Catholic schools have a long and school communities across Australia Tamaro and Sr Loreto O’Connor RSJ, proud tradition of delivering high- to mark the commencement of the from the Sisters of Saint Joseph in quality, faith-based education. bicentenary celebrations of Catholic Penola, South Australia also took part “The bicentenary is an opportunity education. in the launch. to celebrate those who have served The event offered an opportunity Their participation celebrated in Catholic education since its earliest for educators, leaders, students and those who have served in Catholic days; the contribution of religious their families in Catholic schools, education since its earliest days, institutes, clergy and lay people in the education offices and universities to in particular the contribution of foundation of schools in cities, rural join together to mark this significant families, religious orders and clergy and remote parts of Australia; and occasion. in the foundation of schools across the continuity of this mission with the The virtual launch included Australia. leaders, staff, families and the wider students and teachers from St Patrick’s National Catholic education Church community today. Primary and Parramatta Marist schools executive director Jacinta Collins “We look forward with great hope in the Diocese of Parramatta. said the bicentennial celebrations and faith in the future of Catholic These schools have linkages recognise the enormous contribution schools by continuing to respond to to the first official Catholic school of Catholic schools in Australia. our mission of meeting the educational opened on Hunter Street, Parramatta “Over 200 years Catholic schools and spiritual needs of young people in October 1820. have educated millions of Australian and our communities,” she said.
NCEC chair Nicholas Moore, executive director Jacinta Collins and chair of the Bishops Commission for Catholic Education, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP. Source: Peter Rosengren.
www.200years.catholic.edu.au 3 St Patrick’s Primary Parramatta students, Amariah Tamaro and Emmanuel Missak delivered the Acknowledgement of Country. National Catholic Education Catholic schooling for generations of Commission chair Nicholas Moore young people to come,” Nicholas said. said Catholic education has grown Chair of the Bishops Commission over two centuries into the largest for Catholic Education Archbishop school sector outside of government. Anthony Fisher OP said that Catholic “It’s a remarkable achievement that families, teachers and students should Catholic education has successfully be very proud of the 200 years of responded to meet the needs of Catholic education. Australia’s changing population, and “It is an extraordinary achievement economic and social circumstances and gives us great hope for the Kate Rigby over 200 years,” he said. future, that we will continue to make YEAR 8, ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE, “As we celebrate this significant this major contribution to the social LAUNCESTON TAS milestone, it’s timely to take stock capital of this country and to the Catholic education has impacted of all that has been achieved and to individual development of every child my life in many positive ways. The look ahead to identify how we can that is entrusted to us,” Archbishop things I have learned, and the better deliver an excellent standard of Anthony said. experiences I have learned from, have allowed me to become a kind and compassionate human, develop my own understanding of Catholicism, and expand my overall cultural understanding of the world. I hope students continue to be exposed to the fact that the basis of almost all religions is being a good person and doing good for others, and that they should strive to do this their whole life.
Watch the full National Launch via our YouTube channel @NatCathEd Students from Clare’s Primary, Officer.
4 Faith in the Future, Commemorative Magazine, Edition 1 200 Years Young: Australian Catholic bishops release pastoral letter on Catholic education
he Australian Catholic Bishops others attending Catholic preschools, Treleased a pastoral letter for school colleges and universities,” said leaders, staff, students and families Archbishop Anthony. to mark the 200th anniversary of “We are fortunate to have Catholic Catholic education in Australia. schools in most towns and suburbs, The letter, 200 Years Young, details and university campuses in most the development and expansion capital cities, serving students from of Catholic schools over the past diverse backgrounds and beliefs. two centuries, and recognises the While they are no longer all from contribution of religious, clergy poorer families, as so many were and lay people to the foundation in the first century-and-a-half of of Catholic education. It also Catholic education, we continue to acknowledges the distinctive role welcome and ensure our schools are Catholic schools play in educating accessible to Aboriginal and Torres and forming young people of faith Strait Islanders, refugees, those with and service in their communities. disabilities and students who are Chair of the Bishops Commission financially disadvantaged. for Catholic Education Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP called on all “Catholic schools have National Catholic education those involved in Catholic education educated a significant executive director Jacinta Collins to acknowledge this significant welcomed the pastoral letter and the milestone in the life of the Church. proportion of the nation’s ongoing commitment of the Bishops “From very humble beginnings to provide a faith-based education for with the opening of the first official young people, offering a Australian families. Catholic school educating just 31 distinctive vision and values, “We are in a unique position in students located on Hunter Street in Australia that we have the support Parramatta, Catholic schools have complementing the state of successive governments to grown to educate more than one in systems, and enabling the funding of Catholic and non- five Australian students, with many government schools. This support has choice and diversity in enabled our schools to be accessible education.” to families that seek a faith-based education for their children and — 200 Years Young p. 4 ensures diversity in school choice,” Jacinta said. “Alongside families and parishes, “But it also relies on the Catholic schools are the Church’s commitment of Church leadership to principal meeting point with young actively support and foster the mission people, and are integral to the of Catholic schools and the work of Church’s mission of transmitting many other Church agencies such as the faith to the next generation and Catholic hospitals, social services and forming young people as future charities that contribute enormously contributors to Australian society. to the social fabric of Australian “I commend this pastoral letter society.” to you and congratulate all those involved in Catholic education on The pastoral letter is this historic milestone in the life of available to download from Students from Good Shepherd Catholic the Church in Australia,” Archbishop www.ncec.catholic.edu.au School Rasmussen, Townsville. Anthony said.
www.200years.catholic.edu.au 5 MEMORIES FROM THE PAST The first official Catholic school in Australia started in Parramatta
n 16 May 1935, The Catholic OPress newspaper declared that “Parramatta deserves the title of The Cradle of Catholicism in Australia”. It was in Parramatta that the first Irish Catholic convicts settled and where the first Catholic priest, Fr John Therry, founded the first official Catholic school in October 1820. The school was established on Hunter Street, Parramatta where historians believe 31 students were taught, seven of them Protestant. George Marley (also identified as George Morley), an Irish convict, ran the school and provided rudimentary Old Marist School in Parramatta. learning in reading, writing, grammar, arithmetic and bookkeeping. grant from the government for the Westmead both trace their origins The weekday program of learning school was 80 pounds. back to this first school. It seems was practical and secular, with the Lay teachers for both boys and at least two other ‘Catholic’ schools permission of Fr Therry. On Sundays girls conducted Catholic schools in were established in New South Wales Marley taught his Catholic students the Parish until the 1870s, when the before the school established by Fr separately on matters of faith. Marist Brothers came and Catholic John Terry. One school is thought In 1838, when the first St Patrick’s denominated schools ceased to to have opened between 1803 and Church was built, the teachers in receive government subsidies. 1806, the second early in 1817. Parramatta were James and Eliza St Patrick’s Primary, Parramatta However, both schools were closed Hayes, there were 90 pupils and the and Parramatta Marist High in by 1818.
Old Marist School House in Parramatta. Source: Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta.
6 Faith in the Future, Commemorative Magazine, Edition 1 Bicentenary celebrations across Australia
round the country, local Acelebrations and events have been held in state, territory, diocesan and school communities for the launch of 200 Years of Catholic education in Australia. Armidale On 19 February a Mass was celebrated by Bishop of Armidale Michael Kennedy at Our Lady of the Angels Chapel Armidale, attended by school principals, Catholic Schools Office (CSO) and diocesan staff for the St John’s principal Megan Richardson, Sr Margaret Henderson RSM, Archbishop Julian Porteous DD, bicentenary of Catholic education. Dr Gerard Gaskin, Peter Douglas and Fr Terry Rush PP, Year 6 students Kate, Noah, Zoe and Archie. CSO director Chris Smyth delivered Source: Mark Franklin, Archdiocese of Hobart. an address on the history of Catholic schooling in the Armidale Diocese. Tasmania “There was no local diocese when On Friday 12 February, Archbishop of During his reflection, Archbishop a Catholic school was opened in the Hobart Julian Porteous DD, executive Julian shared the story of the small town of Armidale in 1848, in fact director of Catholic Education beginnings and growth of Catholic there was not even a parish of Tasmania Dr Gerard Gaskin and education in Australia and the Armidale,” he said. “It is my hope that guests joined St John’s Catholic establishment, by Fr Philip Conolly, we in Catholic schools and in the School community to celebrate 200 of Hobart’s pioneer Catholic Catholic Schools Office are seen to be years of Catholic education. St John’s school in 1822. He also spoke and continue to be seen to be a vital in Richmond is the oldest Catholic about the history of Tasmania’s part of that nurturing of the people of school in Tasmania providing 178 oldest continuing school, St John’s God in our part of Australia.” years of Catholic schooling. Catholic School at Richmond.
Cairns Within the Diocese of Cairns, Catholic Education Services launched the 200 years celebration with a Mass held on 11 February. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop of Cairns James Armidale’s 200 Years Celebration Mass at Foley at St Monica’s Cathedral, with Our Lady of the Angels Chapel. Source: Catholic student representatives attending Schools Office Diocese of Armidale. from a number of schools in the Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools Diocese. commencement Mass. Toowoomba in their faith and enabling them to make A commencement Mass was held to a meaningful contribution to the world. launch the celebration of 200 years of Toowoomba Catholic Schools Catholic education on 5 February in executive director Dr Pat Coughlan the Diocese of Toowoomba. spoke about how the theme for 200 Bishop of Toowoomba Robert years of Catholic education, ‘Faith Students from Good Counsel Primary School, McGuckin reiterated the importance in the Future’ links seamlessly with Innisfail and Bishop of Cairns James Foley at St of the ongoing work for all involved in Toowoomba Catholic Schools’ focus Monica's Cathedral. Catholic education in forming students for 2021, ‘Being distinctively Catholic’.
www.200years.catholic.edu.au 7 “Toowoomba Catholic Schools are committed to ensuring all students experience academic success within a distinctively Catholic environment,” Pat said. “We are called to provide students with advice, experiences and perspectives so that they might come to a positive individual identity that reflects our Catholic values and beliefs,” he said.
Students and staff with Auxiliary Bishop of Brisbane Ken Howell at St Mary’s Church in Ipswich. Source: Brisbane Catholic Education. Queensland Bishop of Toowoomba Robert attended by Ipswich Parish Priest McGuckin celebrated Mass at St Franciscan Fr Stephen Bliss and Stephen’s Chapel in Brisbane for school communities from across Queensland Catholic Education the Archdiocese. Commission’s (QCEC) first meeting St Mary’s Church was selected in 2021. as the venue for the launch as the Commission members each neighbouring St Mary’s College, received commemorative pins which opened in 1863, is the in celebration of the Bicentenary of oldest BCE Catholic school. Australian Catholic education. BCE’s executive director Pam QCEC has also produced a Betts reflected on the impact CEWA executive director Dr Debra Sayce. celebratory video for the 200 years Catholic schools had made to the Source: Matt Biocich. of Catholic education, to further lives of thousands of students. commemorate the occasion and “As I participated in the liturgy, Western Australia honour Queensland’s contribution I couldn’t help but reflect on On 21 February, Catholic Education and place in Catholic education the thousands of students who Western Australia’s (CEWA) held a history. attended our Catholic schools cocktail reception in Perth to launch On 24 February, Brisbane Catholic over those two centuries,” said 200 years of Catholic education in Education (BCE) held their launch for Pam. “What a difference we have Australia and their 50 Years Together the 200 years of Catholic education made in the world. We stand on celebrations. with a liturgy led by Auxiliary Bishop the shoulders of all who have gone As part of the commemorative of Brisbane Ken Howell at St Mary’s before us. We owe them a great reception, students from Sacred Church in Ipswich. The liturgy was debt of gratitude.“ Heart College, Sorrento played their rendition of the national song for the Archbishop of Perth Timothy “In what is MACS’ foundation year, bicentenary, ’Faith in the Future’. Costelloe SDB DD reflected on the we are grateful to the generations of CEWA executive director Dr Debra future of Catholic education. dedicated Catholic educators who Sayce said many of the qualities “We don’t need to worry about used their ‘present’ to enthusiastically and characteristics that are most Catholic education in the future, and build a schooling system with only admirable in our Catholic education if you want to know why just have their faith in the future for what might system are inherent in the values of a look at each other,” Archbishop lie ahead,” said executive director our faith tradition. Timothy said. of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic “While others were born of Schools Jim Miles. necessity in the early days of Catholic Melbourne As part of Catholic Education education, the commitment to faith Across the Archdiocese of Melbourne Week, held from 14–21 March, formation, the resourcefulness, the school-based events have been hundreds of students from Catholic partnership with parents, families and held to mark the beginning of the schools in the Archdiocese of parish, and the care for those at the bicentenary of Catholic education Melbourne exhibited their artwork in margins of society,” she said. celebrations. the annual Creative Arts Exhibition.
8 Faith in the Future, Commemorative Magazine, Edition 1 Catholic education alumni from the Wollongong Archdiocese also talked about their Catholic Education Diocese of work and motivation for making a Wollongong (CEDoW) commenced difference during the Young Speakers their celebrations for the bicentenary Colloquium. during their annual Catholic Schools Week from 1–7 March with the theme, Darwin 'Faith in the Future'. Holy Cross Primary, Helensburgh, unveiled their history On 1 March, Catholic Education Catholic schools across the timeline for bicentenary celebrations. Source: CEDoW. Northern Territory hosted an Diocese participated in a range of official launch to start the 200 year activities including Masses, liturgies, dedication and commitment of faith- celebrations at St Mary’s Cathedral, open days, as well as historic games filled staff in our Catholic schools,” which also shares the same site as the to celebrate. Peter said. first Catholic school, St Mary’s Catholic CEDoW Director of schools Peter “When future students and Primary School established in 1908. Hill reflected on the important work of educators stop to celebrate 400 years The Mass was celebrated by the Catholic education. of Catholic education in Australia, Bishop of Darwin Charles Gauci, “Since the very first Catholic school I’m confident they will remember our with director of Catholic Education was established in New South Wales contribution as one full of passion, faith Northern Territory director Greg in 1820, countless children and young and tireless dedication to the mission O’Mullane and other guests attending. people have benefited from the of Catholic education,” he said. Students from O’Loughlin Catholic College Karama, MacKillop Catholic College Darwin, St John’s Catholic College Darwin, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Darwin and Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School Wanguri, participated in the Mass. Bishop Charles said Catholic education has been extremely important for Catholic people, and beyond, over the last 200 years. “It has provided holistic education based on our Catholic principles for thousands upon thousands of young people,” he said. “As a young man, I personally benefited from Catholic Canberra & Goulburn On 24 February, Archbishop schooling in South Australia during of Canberra and Goulburn the 1960s. Education is forever Christopher Prowse celebrated evolving, and Catholic schools too are Mass at St Christopher's Cathedral evolving.” to mark 200 years of Catholic education. The Mass was attended by Catholic Education Archdiocese for Catholic Schools through the of Canberra and Goulburn director Goulburn school strike. Ross Fox, National Catholic “The 56 Catholic schools in Education executive director the Archdiocese of Canberra and Jacinta Collins and representatives Goulburn serving 21,000 students from school communities and the share a wonderful heritage and education office. tradition built up over 200 years in Ross said it is now almost 60 Australia,“ he said. years since Catholic school parents The Mass was live streamed to and students highlighted the schools across the Archdiocese for inequity of government support those unable to attend.
Above: Ross Fox, St Joseph’s Primary, Bombala principal Susan Tighe, REC Alice Shannon and students Miller Stewart and Connor Reed with Archbishop Christopher Prowse. Right: Ross Fox, Sr Kate MacKillop Catholic College student at St Mary’s McMahon, Jacinta Collins, Archbishop Christopher Prowse and Sr Kathleen Keenan. Cathedral.
www.200years.catholic.edu.au 9 Sydney Individual schools across the Archdiocese of Sydney commenced their celebrations for the 200 years of Catholic education in Australia. Holy Spirit Catholic Primary, Carnes Hill students celebrated with a special outdoor assembly and liturgy, with prayer and song. Students from Mary MacKillop Catholic College Wakeley with his former St Mary's classmate “It is inspiring to reflect that we carry were presented with prayer cards and George Germanos and teachers, Sr on the great personal sacrifices and the Year 12 Student executive leaders Kathleen and Sr Margaret, to talk to gave devoted service to our parish led the College in prayer and singing them about their lives and work. schools.” of the ’Faith in the Future’ national Tony said for much of Catholic During his homily, Bishop Columba song. St Fiacre’s Catholic Primary, education's 200-year history, religious reflected on the difficulties faced by Leichhardt students participated in a sisters and brothers ran and staffed the religious orders that first arrived in range of activities including historical Catholic schools. the Diocese in the late 1800s and the playing games and joined in a special “The story of Catholic education challenges of teachers working in the prayer liturgy. is inextricably linked to their Diocese today. Sydney Catholic Schools executive commitment and personal sacrifice.“ Bishop Columba said it is a time to director Tony Farley visited Marist thank our teachers and collaborators Catholic College, North Shore, one of in Catholic education, parents and Sydney’s oldest schools, to sit down Wilcannia-Forbes students. Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes (CEWF) held a Mass at Red Bend Top: Students from Galilee Catholic Primary, Bondi. Catholic College, celebrated by Above: Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green, students, Bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes Columba staff, clergy and other guests from Wilcannia- Forbes. Source: CEWF. Macbeth-Green OSPPE DD on St Patrick's Feast Day (17 March), with schools representatives attending. How is your school community Director Anthony Gordon said the celebrating the Bicentenary of Catholic history of Catholic education in the Education in Australia? Send us your Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes is rich stories via [email protected] and colourful. “The first Catholic school in our VISIT THE 200 YEARS WEBSITE FOR Diocese was founded in Forbes in MORE INFORMATION, RESOURCES, St Patrick's Catholic Primary, Summer Hill students with the 200 years prayer card and pin. 1862,” he said. NEWS AND EVENTS.
10 Faith in the Future, Commemorative Magazine, Edition 1 As a proud Principal Partner, Notre Dame University joins with the National Catholic Education Commission in celebrating 200 years of teaching in the Catholic intellectual tradition in Australia.
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ND5275 / CRICOS PROVIDER CODE: 01032F Students from St John’s Catholic College, Darwin at St Mary’s Cathedral. Launch Mass for Catholic Education Services Cairns held at St Monica's Cathedral.
Archie, Noah, Kate and Zoe Year 6 students from St John’s Richmond, Tasmania. Students from at McAuley Catholic Primary School, Rose Bay.
Sacred Heart College students performing at Catholic Education Western Australia’s St Benedict College, Pennant Hills students, Juliana Azzi, Georgia Platts, Georgiana launch event. Source: Matt Biocich. Dumapit attending the opening Liturgy.
A student from St Mary’s Primary School, Ipswich at Brisbane Catholic Students with their prayer Education’s liturgy for 200 years of cards at Holy Spirit Catholic Catholic education. Primary, Carnes Hill. BEHIND THE SCENES Reaching out to the world in song
Fr Rob Galea and students from Notre Dame College, Shepparton sing the national song, ‘Faith in the Future’.
Students from at McAuley Catholic Primary School, Rose Bay. o commemorate the bicentenary Fr Rob said. “We both have been Tof Catholic education in Australia influenced by Catholic education and a national song, ‘Faith in the Future’, know its power to change and form, was composed by Fr Rob Galea, who together with the Church.” currently serves in Sandhurst Diocese. Fr Rob said the heart of the song is The song is being played at the line, ‘We will live, love and reach Masses, special liturgies, school out to the world’. assemblies and 200 years events “We journey together: educators, across the country. students and staff; all together Fr Rob is a singer/songwriter with learning to love and serve God,” he Br Nicholas Harsas, FSP OAM an international fan base, founder of said. “This is how we bring faith in the PRINCIPAL, HOLY SPIRIT PRIMARY the not-for-profit Catholic organisation future.” SCHOOL CARNES HILL, NSW FRG Ministry and also works in Students from Notre Dame College, I have been immersed in Catholic Catholic education as a Chaplain. Shepparton joined Fr Rob and his education for a quarter of a century! Fr Rob said it was a great band to record a music video of the As the last remaining Religious St Benedict College, Pennant Hills students, Juliana Azzi, Georgia Platts, Georgiana responsibility and honour to write the song used in the national launch of the Principal in Sydney Catholic Dumapit attending the opening Liturgy. theme song for the 200th anniversary bicentenary celebrations in February. Schools I feel privileged and of Catholic Education in Australia. Fr Rob said the students enjoyed inspired to be part of the current Along with his friend and music the filming process and the generation of school leaders and producer, Luke Batterbury, Fr Rob opportunity to impact people across staff who are as committed to the prayed and brainstormed prior to Australia through the music video. mission of Catholic education as writing and recording of the song. A video is currently in production those of the past. He said they wanted the song to with student groups singing, ‘Faith in encapsulate the importance of the the Future’ at iconic and significant The national song recording, 200 years of history, influencing and Catholic education sites across lyrics and chord sheets are available forming the culture of Australia. Australia. The video will be released via the 200 years website. “200 Years of education is an ahead of the national Mass on 24 incredible milestone and blessing,” May 2021.
www.200years.catholic.edu.au 13 THE PIONEERING SPIRIT OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA The first religious orders to establish Catholic schools in Australia n their pastoral letter to mark the 200th and were involved in the early days of separate classrooms for the boys and Ianniversary of Catholic education the establishment of Catholic schools. girls, and the building was also used in Australia, the Catholic Bishops of In 1833, Fr William B Ullalthorne on Sundays as a Chapel. By 1839, Australia recorded their gratitude was the first Benedictine to arrive in at St Bridget’s Millers Point, 76 boys for the extraordinary contribution of Sydney and was also the first Vicar were taught by Edward Hawkely the religious institutes to education General. He later became Parish and 45 girls were taught by Mary in Australia. This contribution will be Priest of Parramatta (1835). He gained O’Brien. St Bridget’s school, Millers highlighted over the four editions of approval from Governor Richard Point remained open on the site until this commemorative magazine. Bourke in 1833 to build a Catholic 1992, and today remains the oldest school house on Kent St in Millers surviving place of Catholic worship Point, known as St Bridget’s. in Australia, now known as St Brigid’s Benedictine Monks St Bridget’s single story building Catholic Church. The Benedictine Monks were the first was completed in April 1835, a Benedictine priest, John Bede religious order to serve in Australia partition of folding doors provided Polding, was consecrated as a Bishop in London and in 1834 was appointed Vicar Apostolic with jurisdiction over what is now the Commonwealth of Australia. In 1835, Bishop Polding travelled to Australia with Fr Gregory Corcoran and three Benedictine students. The group arrived first in Hobart and a month later sailed to Sydney. In 1836 Bishop Polding took control of the 13 primary schools in operation, seven were for boys, six for girls and all had government support. In the same year, Bishop Polding also started a secondary school for boys at the Bishop’s Woolloomooloo house, which was transferred in 1838 to the St Mary’s site under the name of St Mary’s Seminary. Schooling first commenced at the St Mary’s site in 1824 when Fr John Therry, the first Australian chaplain, The largest arranged for a lay teacher to open an elementary school, but it is not known how long this school continued. insurer of In 1838, a small chapel on Parramatta St (now Broadway) in Catholic schools Sydney opened and was used as a school on weekdays, it later became St. Mary’s Catholic School 1872. and colleges in By Charles Percy Pickering, from the collections St Benedict’s Church. By 1862, of the State Library of New South Wales. St Benedict’s also became a training Australia.
14 Faith in the Future, Commemorative Magazine, Edition 1 www.ccinsurance.org.au
ABN 76 000 005 210 | AFSL No. 235415 of Sydney on 5 April, 1842 and then the Archbishop of Sydney on 10 April, 1842. In the early 1860s, Archbishop Polding moved the St Mary’s secondary school to Lyndhurst House in Glebe. From then until 1882 the St Mary’s Cathedral school was an elementary school for boys and girls. Staffed by lay teachers paid from government funds, it also became a Model School for the training of Catholic teachers. St Mary’s Cathedral College is the oldest continuing school in the Archdiocese of Sydney and today operates as a systemic St Mary’s Cathedral students 2020. Source Sydney Catholic Schools. school for boys from Years 3 to 12 still on its original site. school for Catholic teachers, and by the St Benedict’s site continues to In 1857, Archbishop Polding 1873, 500 students were enrolled serve the parish and the university founded an Australian order of nuns at the school, with one lay teacher. community today. in the Benedictine tradition, the While St Benedict’s school closed in Fr Ullathorne returned to England Sisters of the Good Samaritan, to 1981, the parish church and buildings and recruited teachers and priests, work in education and social work. were restored by the University of and arrived back in Sydney in 1838 Archbishop Polding also helped Notre Dame Australia. UNDA’s Sydney with three priests, four students and establish the University College of campus was opened by then Prime five religious sisters. St John’s in Sydney, founded on Minister John Howard in 2006 and Bishop Polding became the Bishop 2 July, 1858.
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ABN 76 000 005 210 | AFSL No. 235415 Sisters of Charity On 31 December 1838, five Sisters of Charity arrived in Sydney from Ireland, the first women Religious in Australia. Mary Aikenhead, the foundress of the Sisters of Charity sent the Sisters at the request of Bishop Polding who desired a community of Sisters to work with the convict women. The first five Sisters were Sr M John Cahill, Sr M John Baptist de Lacy, Sr M Francis de Sales O’Brien, Sr M Lawrence Cater and Sr M Francis St Vincent’s College, Potts Point c 1952. Courtesy of the Xavier Williams. Congregational Archives of the Sisters of Charity of Australia. Before moving to Parramatta to commence their work at the Female instruction to the girls of St Joseph’s Convent after the hospital moved to Factory, the Sisters visited schools in School on the corner of Macquarie its present site at Darlinghurst. the city and ministered to the sick and and Harrington Street. The growth of the congregation poor. The Sisters exercised general allowed it to take responsibility of On 26 November 1839, Sr M John supervision of the girls section of the several parochial schools in Sydney Cahill and Sr M John Baptist de Lacy school, before assuming responsibility following the removal of state aid in left Parramatta and moved into a of it at the beginning of 1848. 1883. small cottage at Waverley where they In 1856, Tarmons, (the home of Over the next 36 years more than visited the nearby Roman Catholic Sir Charles Nicholson) was purchased 20 schools were staffed or established Orphan School and assisted in the with the assistance of Catholic by the Sisters across Sydney and as education of the children. benefactors. far away as Bega and Bombala. They also visited several schools in Renamed St Vincent’s Convent, it This growth later allowed the city, instructing children in singing, provided the Sisters with a permanent the congregation to establish sewing and lacemaking as well as residence, and in the following year further foundations in Victoria and conducting a Sunday School, where St Vincent’s Hospital was established Queensland where the Sisters staffed they provided religious instruction. on the same site. and managed many parochial schools In 1847, three of the Pioneer Sisters In 1858, the Sisters opened as well as those that they themselves established a community in Hobart at their first school at the Convent; established. the invitation of Bishop Robert Willson. St Vincent’s School had both an Many of these schools continued Along with their work at the Cascades infants and primary section. to be staffed by the Sisters of Charity Female Factory, the Sisters visited the In 1871, St Vincent’s High School well into the 20th century. sick and poor, and provided religious was opened in a separate room of the In 2009, Mary Aikenhead Ministries was officially constituted to carry on the work of the Sisters of Charity, ensuring the continuation of their significant contribution to Catholic education in Australia.
SOURCES: Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, 2021, FROM THE FIRST FLEET TO THE 21ST CENTURY, accessed 30 March 2021,
16 Faith in the Future, Commemorative Magazine, Edition 1 FEATURED RESOURCE Remembering Australian Catholic educators
new book published by Coventry English, Bishop of Parramatta Vincent in Australia, APress and features 30 biographies Long OFM Conv, Br Kelvin Canavan have made a of Catholic educators spanning the FMS AM, Dr Brian Croke and Dr Lee- commitment, in 200 year history of Catholic education. Anne Perry AM. the name of the Not Forgotten, Australian Catholic It is the first hard-copy publication gospel, to conduct Educators 1820-2020 is edited by for a much larger project, the schools for children Seamus O’Grady and Anne Benjamin, Biographical Dictionary of Australian – Catholic and and features biographies grouped in Catholic Educators (BDACE) which otherwise – offer four periods. Educators were chosen was created to keep alive the stories glimpses into for their noteworthy contribution, of the people of Catholic education in Catholic education or are considered representative of Australia, to inspire current and future in this country. certain groups of Catholic educators. teachers and leaders in Catholic This book ensures that the story of Each section is prefaced with an schools. It is hoped the dictionary will those who forged Catholic education essay providing the historical context become an invaluable research tool in Australia are not only not forgotten, for that period, while a more reflective and online resource for education and but are honoured appropriately, essay on the relevance of the chosen formation within Australian Catholic in a way which can inform and biographies for current educators University. influence new generations of Catholic rounds off each section. Not Forgotten coincides with the educators. Essays have been carefully bicentenary of Catholic education. commissioned from historians such The brief stories of a handful of the Not Forgotten is available via as Charles McGee and Janice Garaty many women and men, who since Coventry Press and commentators, such as Graham the early days of European settlement
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Find out more: text.help/200years EVENTS What's happening around Australia
Week from 3 to 9 May with the theme, cross the country, local events 3 - 9 May 2021 A Spirited Tomorrow. Aare being held in state, territory, Catholic Education Week diocesan and school communities to celebrate the 200 Years of Catholic South Australia 8 - 15 AUGUST 2021 education in Australia. Catholic Education South Australia is Family Week celebrating Catholic Education Week To recognise the partnership and 3 - 9 May 2021 from 3 to 9 May 2021. important contribution of families Catholic Schools Week in Catholic education, school Maitland-Newcastle 24 MAY 2021 communities will be invited to host a range of activities and events. More The Diocese Maitland-Newcastle National Mass details to come. will hold Catholic Schools Week A National Mass will be celebrated celebrations from 3 to 9 May 2021. simultaneously across Australia on the 27 OCTOBER 2021 Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians to commemorate 200 years of Catholic Virtual Symposium education in Australia. The National Catholic Education Masses will also be celebrated Commission will host its second in some local parishes and school virtual symposium to mark World communities. Some Masses will be Teachers Day (29 October). live streamed for communities to join The symposium will focus on in the celebration. some of the themes presented in the Australian Catholic Bishops pastoral 25 - 31 JULY 2021 letter, 200 Years Young. Queensland Catholic
Education Week Access the full events calendar via Students from Holy Name Primary Forster, Catholic schools across Queensland the www.200years.catholic.edu.au Catholic Education Diocese Maitland-Newcastle. will be celebrating Catholic Education
Explore the resources on the 200 years website
here are a number of resources Add your own story of Catholic Tavailable via the 200 years education to the growing collection of website to support school and personal reflections from educators, diocesan communities celebrate the leaders, students and alumni. bicentenary of Catholic education Contributions to the photo/video including: gallery and timeline on the website y National Prayer are also welcome. Add your school’s y ‘Faith in the Future’ National Song historical or modern-day photos. y Suggested events and activities The website will be updated with St Ignatius Junior School Norwood, South Australia. y Promotional video new resources regularly, so school y Bicentennial Games Quiz communities are encouraged to revisit For more resources visit y Templates, branding materials and the site often to support their local www.200years.catholic.edu.au so much more... celebrations and activities.
18 Faith in the Future, Commemorative Magazine, Edition 1 Celebrating 200 years of Catholic education in Australia
No. 1 GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT IN AUSTRALIA Graduate Outcomes Survey – Longitudinal 2020, full-time employment
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