More families than ever before are choosing a quality, Catholic education for their child as latest census data confirms enrolments at Western Australia’s Catholic schools grew by 1.9 per cent – the largest twelve-month growth in ten years.
There are now more than 83,200 students enrolled in 162 Catholic schools across the state. That figure includes 3,704 First Nations students, a 3.76 per cent in-crease from this time last year.
Catholic Education WA continues 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 estab-lished schools (1.2 per cent).
Catholic Education WA Executive Director Wayne Bull, said the fact that more families from across WA are choosing a Catholic school for their child is an en-dorsement of the quality, faith-based education our schools are providing.
“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 tal-ents wherever they may rest,” Mr Bull said.
“In the face of significant cost of living challenges, I am encouraged that families still see Catholic schools as an affordable education choice,” he continued.
“Whether your family is new to Catholic education in Western Australia or has been a member of our community for some time I thank you for your trust in our schools,” he concluded.