A School Rich in History

Located in the heart of Bathurst, Cathedral Catholic Primary School has the honour of being the first Catholic school west of the Blue Mountains, and the most historic school in the Diocese of Bathurst.

A Legacy Begins

Originally situated on the corner of Keppel and George Streets, our school's rich history began with the first local Catholic Church, known as St Michael’s, built in 1839. With Mary Rosignall teaching the first eight students in this church, we embarked on an educational mission that has grown and evolved over centuries. By 1849, our student population had grown to forty-nine, signalling a period of substantial growth and commitment to Catholic education. This original building was eventually demolished to make way for a new Convent and school building. During this time, schooling was conducted in local houses. 

A Journey of Growth and Transformation

The arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in 1866, led by Mother Ignatius Croke, marked a significant milestone for our school, initiating a new location in a George Street cottage for ninety children. Three years later, the much needed Convent and school building, named St Mary’s, had been established on the original school site, setting the foundation for a promising future anchored in faith and education. 

In 1868, Bishop Matthew Quinn, recognising the need for more space to accommodate the growing demand for Catholic education, initiated the construction of a new school. The building was completed in 1869, sitting adjacent to the Cathedral of St Michael and St John. In 1884, the new school welcomed the teaching contributions of the Patrician Brothers, who took charge and renamed it St Patrick's.The school soon became overcrowded, and in 1909, a two-storey building was built on the same site. Three De La Salle Brothers also taught at St Patrick’s from 1929 to 1962.

Meanwhile in 1903, St Mary’s School moved from their building to a new building purchased from the Dargin family, next door. This historical building still stands today, and now houses Centacare. During this same year, our schools’ infant classes became separate from the primary, marking a new era.

A famous alumni of these times was Ben Chifley, later to be Prime Minister of Australia from 1945 to 1949.

Uniting St Mary’s and St Patrick's

In 1963, the Sisters of Mercy took charge of St Patrick's School, renaming it Cathedral Infant’s School. This school building was demolished shortly after, and a new infants school was opened, named Sacred Hearts Infants School.

The St Mary’s Primary and Sacred Heart Infants continued on this site as two separate schools until 1974 when one school was formed, named Cathedral School. The last Sister of Mercy was Sister Marjorie Fitzgerald who left the school in 1986.

A New Millennium

With the opening of the new Cathedral School building in 1999, blessed by Bishop Patrick Dougherty, we embraced a modern era of education featuring state-of-the-art facilities. This building provided ten new classrooms, administration offices, a Library, Specialised Art Room, Specialised Music Room, and a Computer Laboratory. Since this time, significant work and development has been completed on both the buildings and school grounds.

Our commitment to enhancing the education of our students is exemplified by the building of the Mother Ignatius Croke Centre in December 2011, enhancing our creative arts and community engagement programs.

In 2014, we reached a pivotal moment, reflecting on our heritage and those who have shaped our school and rich past. The introduction of a new crest, centred on Christ's cross and featuring four coloured corners representing our student Houses, reflects our Catholic ethos. Its design, with curved lines evoking a chalice, symbolises our spiritual mission. This crest encapsulates our identity—Through Christ, we honour our history, live our values in the present, and look forward to the future with hope.

Shaping Tomorrow Together

At Cathedral School, our vision for the future is built on a legacy of Catholic faith, quality education, and innovation. We are dedicated to preparing students for the future with an approach that integrates modern technology with values-based learning, fostering not only academic excellence but emotional and spiritual growth. With a strong focus on community, sustainability, and stewardship, we aim to nurture compassionate individuals who are ready to contribute positively to society. Anchored in Christ's teachings, we look forward to shaping an inspiring future together with our students, staff, and wider community.