Your Guide to Catholic Schools in the Illawarra
Catholic Schools in Wollongong/Illawarra 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 a Catholic education for your child is certainly worthwhile.
In this guide, we uncover the benefits of Catholic education at a Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong school, the enrolment process, costs, and why thousands of families choose these schools.
Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong is 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 a Catholic education and discover how to find the best school for your child.
The benefits of Catholic schools in the Illawarra & Wollongong regions
Catholic primary and high schools stand out for their commitment to academic excellence, spiritual growth, and character development. Here are some key benefits:
- Safe and inclusive environments: Every student is educated in a supportive community that values respect, kindness, and inclusion.
- Faith and values-based education: Students grow in their spiritual journey while developing moral values grounded in 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, to enhance the education experience.
- Focus on student wellbeing: Dedicated student counsellors are at each school to support student wellbeing and mental health. They are there to equip your child with tools and strategies to help them thrive at school.
With dedicated teachers and a strong community network, Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong offers a high-quality education with opportunities for students to grow in their faith and values, achieve their learning potential, and develop in all aspects of who they are. They are committed to making this education affordable and accessible to as many Illawarra families as possible.
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 a Catholic primary school near me
St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School, Warrawong
Looking for a Catholic primary school where your child can thrive and flourish? Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong is home to 13 Catholic parish primary schools, each offering a nurturing and inspiring learning environment. With their unique histories, missions, and personalities, they all share a common purpose to provide academic excellence and provide students with opportunities to find meaning and purpose through exploration in faith, learning, and wellbeing. Here’s why these Illawarra Catholic primary schools stand out:
- Good Samaritan Catholic Parish Primary School, Fairy Meadow: Known for their Creative Arts programs, STEM initiatives, and strong sense of community. Click here to learn more or apply.
- St Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish Primary School, Warrawong: Fosters a sense of belonging through inclusive teaching practices within a connected school community. Click here to learn more or apply.
- St Columbkille’s Catholic Parish Primary School, Corrimal: Offers personalised learning experiences, diverse co-curricular opportunities, and a supportive learning environment. Click here to learn more or apply..
The great news for parents is these Catholic primary schools are open for enrolments all year round and enquiries are encouraged. Follow one of the links above or give the school a call to enquire.
Explore other Illawarra Catholic schools close to home or work, with access to public transport here.
Catholic high schools in the Illawarra & Wollongong
Looking for a high school that offers your child a wealth of opportunities both in and outside 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 Education Diocese of Wollongong 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 develop their character and values, as well as learn skills in resilience, teamwork, communication, and leadership, all while deepening 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
Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong schools 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 also express their creativity through music, drama, dance, and visual arts.
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
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 boasts three exceptional Catholic secondary schools:
- Holy Spirit Catholic College, Bellambi: A co-educational high school offering advanced academic programs and enrichment classes for gifted students.
- Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Oak Flats: Known for their innovative teaching, strong pastoral care, and diverse extra-curricular opportunities.
- 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, visit Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong’s website.
When & how to apply for enrolment at a Catholic school in the Illawarra
Good news again, parents! You can make an enquiry, or apply to enrol, in any Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong school at any time. Simply visit their website to apply online.
For Kindergarten and Year 7 enrolments, we have listed CEDoW’s preferred enrolment timeline below to provide you with the best chance of being accepted into your preferred Catholic school.
Preferred Enrolment Timeline:
- Applications for primary schools (Kindergarten): Apply in Term 1, the year before your child starts school.
- Applications for high schools (Year 7): Applications open about 1-2 years in advance, with Term 1 being the ideal time to apply.
- Review process in Terms 1 and 2 (Mar-May): During Terms 1 and 2, applications are considered by each school in accordance with their enrolment policy.
- Interviews occur in Term 2 (May): Generally held in Term 2, interviews are a chance for both 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 in late Term 2 (Jun-Jul): In late Term 2, schools will communicate the outcome of your child’s application to you via email.
Apply online – at any time
- Visit Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong’s website.
- Find a school and complete their easy online application process – no application fees required!
Catholic school open days
Attending school open days is a great way to experience the school environment, meet teachers, and ask questions. Upcoming open days include:
- 7 March, 2025 (9.15am to 11am) at Good Samaritan Catholic Parish Primary School, Fairy Meadow.
- 19 March, 2025 (9.30am to 11am) and 27 March. 2025 (4.30pm – 6pm) at St Columbkille’s Catholic Parish Primary School, Corrimal.
- 23 February, 2025 (11.30am to 1pm) at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish Primary School, Warrawong.
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 $3,088 per year (2025) and rise to $3,900 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; and
- Support for families facing financial hardship.
For more details of annual fees, visit the Catholic Education 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. Though rooted in Catholic traditions, they emphasise values that resonate universally, such as kindness, respect, and responsibility. Discover if a 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 fosters academic excellence, personal growth, and lifelong learning.
- Enquire: Visit the ‘Find a Catholic school near you’ page to explore your options.
- Enrol Now: Take the first step and start your application today at no cost.
You’ll be joining thousands of Illawarra families who have chosen a Catholic education, so their child can develop, thrive, and succeed at school and beyond. This Parents Guide Illawarra article is sponsored by the Catholic Education 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 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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