Welcome to the Catholic Secondary School

Catholic secondary schools provide high-quality academic, social, physical and religious education for about 94,000 young people in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

As a welcoming school community each school provides an inclusive and safe environment focused on your child’s wellbeing, achievement, challenge, creativity and enjoyment.

With highly qualified and caring teachers committed to the practice and celebration of Christian values, Catholic schools provide religious education and opportunities for faith development in communities where prayer and sacramental celebrations are integral to life. Students are encouraged to engage in civic and public life, involving community service and working for social justice.

Our schools encourage parent involvement, so that together we can create an environment of mutual respect, ensure timely and effective communication and enable participation in consultation on matters of parental concern.

Coming to our schools

Catholic secondary schools are located across the suburbs and outer areas of Melbourne and come under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart. Some secondary schools are owned and governed by a religious order, others by a group of parishes. Some special education facilities are also available. 

Parents are encouraged to attend information sessions and open days at Catholic secondary schools to assist them to choose a school for their child, if there is a choice. Enrolling in the school If you wish your child to attend a Catholic secondary school, you need to contact the school for an application form when your child is in Year 5 (though some Catholic secondary schools accept applications in earlier years). You will be asked to complete and return an enrolment application form. This enables secondary schools to plan for their Year 7 intake. Principals and your child’s teachers can help you with questions and the appropriate paperwork.

Selection into a Catholic secondary school is guided by the school enrolment policy. The school’s policy usually takes into account a number of factors:

• the relevant diocesan enrolment policy
• whether your child is Catholic
• the parish where your child resides
• whether your child has a sibling at the school
• whether you or your spouse attended the school
• the number of places available in the year level of application.

Your child’s immunisation

When you are enrolling your child in school, you need to take your child’s immunisation certificate with you. The certificate shows whether your child has been immunised against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough and haemophilus influenzae type B.

Preparing for secondary school

One of the most pivotal stages of schooling is the transition from primary school to the more complex world of secondary school. This transition can be difficult for some students and schools actively support students as they make this educational and social shift.

As part of the transition from Year 6 to Year 7, students usually participate in an orientation day at the school. This day is generally held in Term 4 of Year 6 and may include:

• a school tour
• meeting fellow students and teachers
• taking part in special lessons and activities.

As a parent there are many ways in which you can help your child prepare for the transition to secondary school.