State census show more students enrolling at WA Catholic Schools

15 Mar 2024

By The Record

CEWA State Census
Students at Mandurah Catholic College. More students than ever before are enrolled at Catholic schools in Western Australia according to the latest WA State Census. Photo: Supplied.

More students than ever before are enrolled at Catholic schools in Western Australia according to the latest WA State Census.

A figure of 81,736 students (Kindergarten to Year 12) were enrolled at the 162 Catholic schools – a 1.8 per cent increase compared to February 2023.

The increase in students is across both new schools (511 students) and established schools (774 students).

The number of Aboriginal students also increased to 3,590 students. Aboriginal students make up 4.7 per cent of total enrolments in Catholic schools.

Catholic Education Western Australia Executive Director, Wayne Bull said he is encouraged by the continued strength of enrolments in Catholic schools.

“As more parents than ever before are benefitting from the choice of a quality, faith-based education.

“This is the largest increase in students since 2015 and is a sign of sustained growth in our system, with a 6.3 per cent increase in enrolments over the last five years.”

Emmaus Catholic Primary School became the newest Catholic School when it opened in Dayton in 2023. St Marcellin Catholic College in Madora Bay will open for Pre-Kindergarten to Year 2 in 2025.