Each of the three parishes in our pastoral region have schools that were established by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. The Sisters began to teach on the present Saint Francis Xavier site in 1910 after having taught children on the Saint Mary’s College site since 1873. The Sisters commenced teaching at Fairy Meadow in 1949 and at Gwynneville in 1951. In each case, the schools began in temporary buildings. They have grown into well known and high standard schools.

In 2012 the Saint Francis Xavier and Saint John Vianney schools will amalgamate into the new Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School and will be situated on the Fairy Meadow site. Saint Brigid’s School, Gwynneville will continue in a sister-status relationship. Children from the Saint Brigid’s Parish will also be able to enrol into the new school as the Good Samaritan School will serve the Catholic Population of the Greater Wollongong area.

For a Catholic secondary school experience the children generally proceed to either the regional Catholic systemic school, Holy Spirit High School, Bellambi or to the congregational schools, Saint Mary’s Star of the Sea College, Wollongong and Edmund Rice College, West Wollongong.

All of our Catholic schools have an excellent reputation. We pride ourselves on continuing to develop a great partnership between the home, the school and the church. All our children receive a wonderful formation in the Faith.

Our Catechists minister in Government Primary Schools
A vibrant team of Catechists bring the word of God’s love to the Catholic children in our local government primary schools. Many of our catechists have given many years of service in this ministry. Our catechists are at the forefront of the Church’s evangelising mission: they bring to the children the love of God in Jesus Christ. Over the years, Catechists from the three parishes have brought God’s love to the following local government schools:

• Keiraville Primary School
• Coniston Primary School
• Gwynneville Primary School
• Mt St Thomas Primary School
• Pleasant Heights Primary School
• Wollongong Primary School
• Balgownie Primary School
• Para Meadows Special School, North Wollongong
• Fairy Meadow Demonstration School
• Towradgi Primary School

How do we ensure that the Word and the Sacraments will continue to be brought to the children in these schools?
Will you become a catechist?

The University of Wollongong
The University is situated in the Gwynneville Parish. The Verbum Dei Sisters conduct the chaplaincy in the University. Fr Richard Healey celebrates the weekly Eucharist on campus during semester - Wednesday at 12.30pm in McKinnon Building room 67.102 (Map reference E4). Dates are available on the University website.

Fr Ron Peters