-
The first catholic school established
In 1845 the first catholic school was established by a lay couple named Mary and Michel Burke. The funds were collected from local catholic settlers. -
The first church
The settlement had its first permanent church called St Stephens. -
The Cathedral of the diocese
St Stephens was proclaimed the cathedral of the diocese after formally separating from New South Wales to become known as the colony of Queensland. -
Bishop James Quinn
Bishop James Quinn, five priests and six Irish sisters of Mercy made their way to Brisbane abroad the Yarra Era. Bishop Quinn was surprised by the poverty of the largely Irish population and committed to raising Catholic education. -
st James school for boys
In 1868, James school for boys was established and staffed entirely by lay teachers. It was a unique model with both religious and lay student teachers receiving their training before and after school and working in class apprentices during the day. It would be almost 100 years until a dedicated teacher training College was established. -
The time of growth
in the 1870s was the time of growth, on the back of the divide between the Irish Catholic and English Protestants came a push to keep church and state separate free compulsory and to remove state funding. It was around this time the Saint Mary of the Cross Mackillop and the sisters of St. Joseph arrived in Brisbane. Now Australian woman are able to vote. -
Appointed director's
In 1943 Father Bernard O'Shea was appointed as the director of Catholic education. He wound become instrumental in leading us though the transformation catholic education. Brisbane Catholic Education continued to struggle with the demands. The number in religious orders began to decline and so an increase in the employment of lay staff began. Despite budget restrictions schools continued funding by communities and parishes 26 new school were opened. -
Funding for Catholic Schools
In 1960 major changes occurred nationwide in school funding after the Goulburn school strike in 1962. Government health inspectors demanded three additional toilets be installed at Our Lady Of Mercy prep school. Goulburn's bishop John Cullinane said that there was no money. He then called a meeting of catholic parents who voted to strike resulting in one thousand students descending on the local state school for enrolment. -
Macaulay college
Macaulay college would open its doors in 1973 to include lay teachers. Second Vatican saw new education, with would see this decade closed with 43 thousand students enrolled and 133 schools across the archdiocese. Community funding model to a government supported models took twenty years. -
facts part 1
After 40 years, as direcoter of catholic education father Bernard O'Shea was replaced by first layed Ector Vince. He was at the helm as the booming eighties in Brisbane brought prosperity funding continued to be a challenge. the Howard government devised the SES funding model in the 1900s. -
facts part 2
Brisbane archdiocese and schools are funded by combination of state and commonwealth government contributions from families and other sources. Our schools continue to be places of creativity and innovation with world-class facilities and access to technology after significant growth from the Rudd government's. -
2007/2008
In 2007 promise of one-to-one technology. Then in 2008, economic stimulus building education revolution. Schools have been established during in this time, the formation of north and south schools service centres. -
2010
In 2010 saw Brisbane Catholic education meet the demands of our contemporary community.
Today we are committed to providing quality Catholic education and to ensure a share of government funding for our schools
