The Catholic School Difference


“If you haven’t considered a Catholic school for your child, I would say go in and check it out. It’s a great place to nurture the spiritual, emotional, social and academic needs of your child” – Catholic school parent

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) is a vibrant learning community made up of 38 Catholic systemic schools – 29 parish primary schools, eight secondary schools and one K-12 school – across the regions of the Illawarra, Macarthur, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands. Read more about our diocese and view a map of our schools here.

One in five students across NSW attend a Catholic school. In the Diocese of Wollongong, this represents more than 19,000 students across our community of Catholic schools, supported by more than 3,000 teachers and support staff.

Find your local Catholic systemic school here, or learn more about enrolling your child at one of our schools here. Enrolment applications can be made online by visiting the website of your school of choice and selecting the 'Enrol Now' button. 

 

Why Choose a Catholic School for your child?

VIBRANT SCHOOL COMMUNITIES 

Our Catholic schools are distinct and diverse. Inspired by the person and spirit of Jesus, our schools are called to be signs of God’s love and hope in the world. Students and their families are part of vibrant Catholic school communities where every student finds meaning and purpose in their lives through experiencing continual growth in faith and improvement in learning. 

HOPE-FILLED, HOLISTIC EDUCATION

Our Catholic schools meet the individual needs of each student differently, but with the shared aim of providing an excellent, faith-based education. Students are empowered to reach their full potential, and become life-long independent learners and active contributors to their communities. We aim to educate the whole person—the head, the heart and the hand—so that all students “may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

Our schools emphasise service and learning that is other-centered. They are contemporary, hope-filled places for young people to develop academically, spiritually and socially within a caring and nurturing Catholic community.

INCLUSION AND OPENNESS TO ALL 

Our Catholic schools are open to all who share in its mission and purpose. Families from all backgrounds or faith traditions are welcomed and included. Our schools look forward to welcoming new students and families into our thriving communities. Read more about the enrolment process.

ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE

Our Catholic schools keep fees as low as possible. Discounts are provided to families with multiple children attending Catholic systemic schools in the diocese. Families experiencing genuine financial hardship are eligible for assistance through fee concessions, and are warmly invited to have a confidential conversation with their local school principal. No child will be precluded from a Catholic education due to a genuine inability to meet scheduled feesRead more about our school fees.

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP 

Our Catholic schools aspire to create learning communities that build and maintain collaborative partnerships with staff, families, parishes and the wider community to enhance student learning. We strive to nurture a culture where parent and community involvement in the school, and engagement in learning, is valued and encouraged. Read more about our Parent-School Partnership Framework.

Our schools are committed to working in partnership with families and communities in welcoming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and supporting them to reach their full potential and embrace their culture and identity. Read more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education

HIGH-QUALITY LEARNING AND TEACHING 

Our Catholic schools strive to support student excellence in all areas of their education. Students are encouraged to use their gifts and talents to reach their potential as learners and contributing members of society. Our dedicated teachers and classroom school support staff provide students with high-quality teaching and learning that is innovative and engaging. Read more about our approach to learning and teaching

SAFE AND CARING COMMUNITIES 

Our Catholic schools prioritise the protection and safety of the students entrusted to our care. Our systems and procedures promote a safe and positive environment for all members of the school community, where healthy relationships can be nurtured and sustained. Bullying and harassment are not acceptable and policies and procedures are in place to address issues of this nature when they arise. Read our Student Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Policy.

The impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt in our schools and communities. Our schools will continue to put the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and families first. For more information about the latest COVID-19 directives in schools,  please visit our COVID-19 Information Centre.

 

HOW CAN I FIND A CATHOLIC SCHOOL NEAR ME?

We have 29 Catholic parish primary schools, 8 Catholic co-educational secondary schools and 1 K-12 school in our system of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Wollongong. Read more about our Diocese and view a map of our schools here. 

download button with padding  FIND A CATHOLIC SYSTEMIC SCHOOL NEAR Me 
 

ENROLMENTS ARE NOW OPEN

Download our Enrolment Policy and Procedures document below. Then, find a Catholic school near you and enrol through their website. 

download button with padding DOWNLOAD OUR enrolment policies and procedures document 

 

Find more information about enrolling your child and the enrolment process, click here.