Illawarra Catholic Primary & High Schools Guide: Choosing Catholic Education in Wollongong

Catholic Schools in Wollongong and all you need to know. When it comes to your child’s education, the right school can make a world of difference. If you’re a parent in the Illawarra region and want to see your child thrive at school, exploring our best Wollongong Catholic schools is worthwhile. In this guide, we cover the benefits of Catholic education, the enrolment process, costs, and why thousands of families choose these schools.

The Catholic Diocese of Wollongong are committed to making high-quality education affordable and accessible to as many Illawarra families as possible. Read on to learn about the unique advantages of their Wollongong Catholic schools and discover how to find the best school for your child.

The Benefits of Catholic Schools in Wollongong & Illawarra

Catholic primary and high schools stand out for their commitment to academic excellence, spiritual growth, and character development. Here are some key benefits:

Safe & Inclusive Environment: Every student is supported in a community that values respect, kindness, and inclusion.
Faith & Values Based Education: Students grow in their spiritual journey while developing a moral compass that emphasizes integrity and compassion.
Academic Excellence: High expectations and expert teaching ensure students reach their full potential.
Specialist Support Services: Access to system-wide resources for learning, wellbeing, and faith formation enhances the education experience.
Focus on Student Well Being; Dedicated School Counsellers support student well being and mental health. They can help equip your child with tools and strategies to manage emotions and thrive at school.

With dedicated teachers and a strong community, Illawarra Catholic schools can provide an environment where every child can thrive. Because every child deserves the opportunity to discover who they are and what they believe, and to learn how to succeed in a complex, changing world. .

Illawarra & Wollongong Catholic schools offer something different – a high quality education that provides students with opportunities to grow in their faith or values, achieve their learning potential, and develop in all aspects of who they are. The Catholic Diocese of Wollongong is dedicated to offering your child a Catholic education of holistic development, balancing academics, values, and community.

Find Catholic Primary Schools Near Me

Looking for a Catholic primary school where your child can thrive and flourish? The Diocese of Wollongong is home to 13 Catholic parish primary schools, each offering a nurturing and inspiring learning environment. unique history, mission, and personality. They all share a common purpose to provide academic excellence in a safe and supportive environment where students find meaning and purpose and grow in faith or values, learning, and wellbeing. Here’s why these Illawarra Catholic Primary Schools stand out:

Good Samaritan Catholic Parish Primary School, Fairy Mead ow: Known for creative arts programs, STEM initiatives, and a strong sense of community. Click to read more and enquire or enrol.
St Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish Primary School, Warrawong: Celebrates cultural diversity with inclusive teaching practices and community-focused programs. Click to read more and enquire or enrol.
St Columbkille’s Catholic Parish Primary School, Corrimal: Offers personalized learning, co-curricular opportunities, and a supportive environment. Click to read more and enquire or enrol.

The good news for parents is these three catholic Primary schools are open for enrolments all year round and enquiries are encouraged. Use the links above, or if you prefer to talk, you can call the school directly to enquire.

Explore Illawarra Catholic schools close to home or near work, with easy access to public transport. Find a Wollongong or Illawarra Catholic School Near You.

Find Catholic High Schools in Wollongong & Illawarra

If you’re looking for a high school that offers your child a wealth of opportunities beyond the classroom, read on. Most parents seek a school that empowers their child to discover their passions, develop their talents, and become leaders in their own right.

Because of the diverse opportunities and daily life of Catholic schools, each student can develop their character and the values they need to succeed. With the support of dedicated teachers and school leaders, your child can learn improved resilience, teamwork, communication, and leadership skills, all while deepening their values and their understanding of the world around them.

Empowering the leaders of tomorrow

Illawarra Catholic schools foster a strong sense of community and responsibility, providing a range of ways for students to step up and lead.

Diverse enrichment opportunities

We encourage students to explore their intellectual curiosity and develop a love of learning. Wherever their passion lies, students can explore their interests in a wide range of subjects, from science and technology to history and languages.

With expert specialist teachers and access to modern facilities, students can express their creativity through music, drama, dance, and visual arts.

Excellent Sport Opportunities and physical activity programs

Sport is more than just competition. It’s a vital part of a well-rounded education, fostering physical and emotional wellbeing, and building valuable life skills. Sport teaches valuable lessons in teamwork, resilience, and leadership.

Illawarra Catholic High Schools offer pathways for individual athletes, teams, and officials through Inter-school championship competitions; Gala Day events; Diocesan events; NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) level; NSW All Schools level; National level (in selected sports).

The Illawarra region boasts 3 exceptional Catholic secondary schools:

Holy Spirit College, Bellambi: A co-educational school offering advanced academic programs and enrichment classes for gifted students.
Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Oak Flats: Known for innovative teaching, strong pastoral care, and diverse extracurricular options.
St Joseph’s Catholic High School, Albion Park: Features a strong academic track record, vocational education pathways, and excellent sports facilities.

These schools nurture well-rounded individuals, ready to lead and succeed. To read more about any of these schools, enquire about enrolling visit Diocese of Wollongong’s website.

When & How to Apply & Enrol for Catholic Schools in Wollongong

Good news again, parents! You can enquire about and apply to enrol in any Illawarra Catholic school, at any time. It’s a simple visit to website here to apply online. However, for Kindy and Year 7, you are advised to follow the enrolments timeline below for best chance of being accepted in your preferred Catholic School. Not every application can be accepted, so it’s better to get in early.

Enrolment Timeline:

Primary Schools (Kindergarten): Apply in Term 1, the year before your child starts school.
High Schools (Year 7): Applications open 1-2 years in advance, with Term 1 being the ideal time to apply.
Review – Term 1-2 (Mar-May): During Term 1 and Term 2, applications are evaluated by each school in accordance with our enrolment policy.
Interview – Early Term 2 (May): Generally held in early Term 2, interviews are a chance for you and your child to meet with school leadership and get to know one another before a final decision is made regarding your child’s application.
Outcome – Late Term 2 (Jun-Jul): In Week 9 of Term 2, the school will communicate the outcome of your child’s application to you via email.

Apply Online – at any time

Visit the Diocese of Wollongong’s website.
Find the School & Complete the easy online application—no application fees required!

Catholic School Open Days

Attending open days is a great way to experience the school environment, meet teachers, and ask questions. Upcoming open day dates include:

Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School: March 7, 2025, from 9:15 AM to 11:00 AM.
St Columbkille’s Catholic Parish Primary School: March 19, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM.
This list will be updated soon as Open Days are finalised

How Much Do Catholic Schools Cost?

Catholic education in Wollongong is generally perceived as affordable, with much lower fees than private schools and no application costs. Estimated annual fees for one child start from $3088 per year (2024) and rise to $3900 in year 11 of high school. Whilst there is cost involved, the fee structure allows:

Discounts for siblings and flexible payment plans.
One tuition and building fee per family at primary schools.
Support for families facing financial hardship.

For more details of annual fees, visit the Diocese of Wollongong’s fee page.

Do You Need to Be Catholic to Attend a Catholic School?

No! We can bust this myth right here. Catholic schools welcome students from all faiths and backgrounds. While rooted in Catholic traditions, they emphasize values that resonate universally, such as kindness, respect, and responsibility. Discover if Catholic education is right for your family with this helpful quiz.

Parent Testimonials: Why Families Choose Catholic Schools

“The sense of community is unmatched. My children feel safe, supported, and motivated to learn.” – Local Parent
“The values and academic standards have been incredible for our family.” – Parent from Wollongong

Enquire or Enrol Today

Don’t miss the opportunity to provide your child with an education that shapes their future.

Enquire: Visit the Find a Catholic School page to explore your options.
Enrol Now: Start your application today at no cost and secure your child’s place.

You’ll be joining thousands of Illawarra families who have chosen Catholic Education, so their child can develop, thrive and succeed at school and beyond.

This Parents Guide Illawarra article is sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong. The goal is to support parents in making informed decisions about their child’s education. The Catholic tradition is dedicated to a high quality, values-based education that supports students to achieve their academic potential and develop their character. We wish every family and child success in education, whether in the Public, Private or Catholic school system.

If you are after more information when it comes to making an informed choice regarding the best Catholic or Private School for your child in Wollongong and the Illawarra, you can read more here.

Finally, make the most of family life in our stunning Illawarra – Subscribe to the ultimate guide to family living weekly email by Parents Guide. Say NO to bored kids and get inspired! Click and sign up for our Parents Newsletter here. Get all the local inspo!

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