More families in Western Australia than ever before are choosing a quality, Catholic education for their child as latest census data confirms enrolments at the state’s Catholic schools grew by 1.9 per cent – the largest 12-month growth in 10 years. Source: CEWA.
There are now more than 83,200 students enrolled in 162 Catholic schools across the state. That figure includes 3704 First Nations students, a 3.76 per cent increase from this time last year.
With West Australians going to the polls on Saturday, Catholic Education WA has continued to urge the incoming State government to provide equitable funding for those families who choose a faith-based education.
Demand for Catholic schools continues to grow across the board including in metro (1.8 per cent), country (2.6 per cent), primary (1.7 per cent), secondary (2.1 per cent) and K-12 (1.9 per cent). Enrolments in kindergarten also grew by 4.4 per cent.
In a sign of the health of the Catholic education system, growth was seen across all four dioceses, with Geraldton experiencing the biggest growth of 4.1 per cent followed by Bunbury (2.9 per cent), Perth (1.6 per cent), and Broome (1.3 per cent).
Enrolment growth was driven by both new schools (16.3 per cent) and established schools (1.2 per cent).
“As more families are discovering, when you enrol your child at one of our schools you join thriving, inclusive, and vibrant faith communities with principals and teachers committed to supporting students to discover their interests and talents wherever they may lie,” said Catholic Education WA Executive Director Wayne Bull.
“In the face of significant cost of living challenges, I am encouraged that families still see Catholic schools as an affordable education choice.”
Mr Bull said that whether families were new to Catholic education in Western Australia or had been a member of the Catholic school community for some time, he thanked them for their trust in Catholic Education WA schools.
In an earlier statement on the CEWA website ahead of the state election, Mr Bull called for a fair funding outcome for Catholic schools in Western Australia.
“We call on all political parties to put children first and acknowledge the contribution Catholic schools make to communities across Western Australia by ensuring a fairer funding deal for our students,” he said.
FULL STORY
Catholic schools see largest twelve-month growth in 10 years (CEWA)
