Chisholm Catholic College (Perth)
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| Motto | Grow in Christ |
| Established | 1989 |
| Highschool type | Independent |
| Principal | Ms Patricia Rodrigues |
| Location | Bedford, Western Australia |
| Campus type | Urban |
| Enrolment | 1,300 students |
| Homepage | www.chisholm.wa.edu.au |
Chisholm Catholic College is an independent catholic high school situated approximately 6 km North-East of the Central Business District of Perth, W.A., Australia. The College provides secondary education for over 1,300 students.
Chisholm Catholic College was established in 1989 as a result of the amalgamation of St Mark's College, Bedford, conducted by the Christian Brothers, and St Thomas Aquinas College, Inglewood, conducted by the Dominican Sisters. From 1989 to 2002, the College had two campuses. The senior students were taught at the original St Thomas Aquinas College site in Wood Street and the junior students were taught at the St Mark’s College site in Beaufort Street. In 2003 the College merged onto one site at Beaufort Street
The College is owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth in the person of the Archbishop of Perth. With the other Western Australian Bishops, he has authorised the Catholic Education Commission to determine major policy and to appoint a College Board responsible for the financial administration. The Principal, also appointed by the Archbishop, is accountable to the Director of Catholic Education for the educational administration of the College.
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[edit] Background
Catholic secondary education in the Bedford Park region of Perth began in 1936 when the Irish Christian Brothers opened a school for boys in Highgate. In 1941, the Dominican Sisters opened a school for girls in Bedford. In 1959, the Christian Brothers opened another school for boys in Bedford. The three schools flourished for many years, until the declining numbers of Brothers and Sisters and economic pressures moved the two Religious Orders and the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia to establish a single co-educational school.
Chisholm Catholic College opened in February, 1989, with the motto, "Grow in Christ", and 1287 secondary students. The Christian Brothers' Highgate site was sold, the Dominican Sisters' Bedford site became the Years 11, 12 campus and the Christian Brothers' Bedford site became the Years 8-10 campus. In the years that have elapsed, the College facilities have been upgraded and extended. At the same time, the College has graduated over 2,500 students who are now working in all walks of life.
In 2003 after an extensive building programme; the two campuses merged onto the Beaufort Street site.
[edit] Caroline Chisholm
The college is named after an Australian humanitarian, Caroline Chisholm who was a strong Roman Catholic. She is known for her charity work with the homeless women on the streets of Sydney. She founded homes for over 11,000 people.
In the spirit of Caroline Chisholm, Chisholm students have been encouraged to develop "the heart and mind of Christ" and, like Caroline, to commit themselves to promoting "the common good" of the Chisholm community and the wider community. Like her, they have also been encouraged to be positive change agents, helping to create an Australian community where "peace and justice reign".
[edit] Chaplaincy
The college are served by a Priest belonging to the Salvatorian Order, (Society of The Divine Saviour). The founder of the Salvatorian Order was Father Francis Jordan (1848-1918) who resolved to found an order whose aim was to spread the knowledge and love of Jesus as the true Saviour of the World. His labour led to the founding of “The Society of the Divine Saviour” and “The Sisters of the Divine Saviour.
[edit] Crest
Cross: Love and life symbol of Jesus Christ.
Shield: A symbol of the protection and security God offers.
Book: A symbol of learning and searching for the truth.
Southern Cross: A symbol of the Australian community and the Australian church.
[edit] Houses
There are four houses in Chisholm Catholic College:
- Keenan
- Laurence
- O’Sullivan
- Prendiville
In naming the Houses of the College, the memories of four people who played a foundation role are honoured. They are:
- Brother Anthony Keenan, a Christian Brother
- Mother Mary Laurence Prendiville, a Dominican Sister
- Father Vincent O'Sullivan, Parish Priest of Bedford
- Archbishop Redmond Prendiville, Archbishop of Perth.
[edit] International students
International students are welcomed in the college, but only for Years 10, 11 and 12. As English is the medium of instruction, competence in English is given high priority, since a certain standard must be met to satisfy the curriculum Council of W.A. and for Tertiary Entrance requirements.
[edit] Facilities
Facilities in the college include:
- Information Resource Centre
- Science Laboratories
- Specialist learning areas for Mathematics, Science, English, Social Studies, Computing, Performing Arts, Design & Technology, Media Studies, Drama, Arts and Crafts, Home Economics, Photography
- Swimming pool-in construction
- Gymnasium
- Sporting & Fitness area (Basketball, Volleyball, Netball, Tennis)
- Fields (Hockey, Soccer, Athletics, Cricket)
