The vision for Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) is to be a Christ-centred, child-focused community of engaged learning environments, inspiring all to actively live the Gospel.

CEWA operates as a single, state-based system, with schools and offices located across the Dioceses of Broome, Bunbury and Geraldton and the Archdiocese of Perth.

From its humble beginnings in 1843, when the first Catholic school opened in Perth, Catholic education in Western Australia has been responding to the needs of communities, providing a Catholic education for all families who seek it.

Formerly known as the Catholic Education Centre, Catholic Education Western Australia’s head office in West Leederville was opened by Pope John Paul II on 30 November 1986 – the only building in Australia to have been opened by a reigning Pope. During the official opening, His Holiness prayed: “May this centre always be a home of truth and wisdom, of faith and goodwill toward all – may it be of service to the community and work to build your kingdom of justice, light and peace.”

Today, it is central to Catholic Education Western Australia’s delivery of Catholic education across the state’s four Catholic dioceses ­– Broome, Bunbury, Geraldton and Perth – educating 77,000+ young people in 163 schools and colleges across WA.

The book Continuity in Change, by Phillip Pendal, provides further insight into the journey of Catholic education in WA from 1843 to 2008.