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FIRST CATHOLIC SCHOOL
The lay couple, Mary and Michael Bourke established the first catholic school on the site of the current myer centre. This school was fully funded by local Catholics who wanted a nearby Catholic school for children. -
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THEN TO NOW
Brisbane Catholic Education all started with one school, two teachers and 56 students and has grown to 139 schools, 72,000 students and 11,000 employees. -
FIRST CATHOLIC CHURCH
In 1850 the first permanent Catholic church, St Stephens was built. In 10 years it would be named cathedral of the diocese. -
FIRST GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOL
All Hallows was established as the first catholic girls secondary school. -
LAY AND RELIGOUS TEACHERS
St James School for boys was established. It was unique as it was full staffed by religous and lay teachers. -
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NO MORE RELIGOUS SCHOOL FUNDING
The Government decided that there would be no more religous school funding. Around this time Mary Mackillop came to Brisbane and started teaching. By the end of the decade 35 new schools opened and were fully funded by their communities. Catholic education continued to thrive. -
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POVERTY AND UNEMPLOYMENT
Australia suffered from severe poverty and unemployment. There was a lack of teachers but Catholic education powered through these tough times. Some schools waived their fees for struggling families. 19 new schools were established and no schools closed. -
DIOCESAN INSPECTOR
Father Bernard O'Shea was chosen as diocesan inspector. Five years later the role was renamed as diocesan director of Catholic education. -
GOULBOURN SCHOOL STRIKE
In Goulbourn, government health inspectors ordered three new toilets be installed to Our Lady of Mercy prep school. The Goulbourn bishop, John Cullinane, said there was just not enough money. A meeting was called with the parents causing a strike and many children being enrolled to the local state school. Within twelve months, Catholic schools were receiving grants from the Government. It was the first time in almost 100 years. -
THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL
The Second Vatican Council came around modifying mass massively. The priest now spoke in English (or the country's language) and not in Latin. This meant that everyone could be a part of mass and know what is happening. The priest now also faced the congregation which made mass feel more welcoming. Also at this time the Whiltlam Government policies made sure that religious schools got more funding. This resulted in equal pay with state school teachers. -
CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE
Archbishop Patrick Mary O'Donnel brought up the first Brisbane Catholic education office. -
FIRST AUSTRALIAN ARCHBISHOP
Archbishop Francis Rush was appointed the first Australian-born archbishop. In this time Mackaulay College for teachers opened it's doors to lay teacher and religious. Prior to this lay teachers were only equipped with two years of training. -
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FIRST LAY DIRECTOR
After fourty years as director, Father Bernard O'Shea was replaced by the first lay director, Vince O'Rourke. -
ONE TO ONE TECHNOLOGY
The Kevin Rudd Government made a promise to give the schools one to one technology. -
EDUCATION BUILDING REVOLUTION
The Rudd Government also ran the 2008 economic stimulous building education revolution. This got many schools money to upgrade or build some buildings.
