Our charism at Catherine McAuley Primary School is deeply rooted in the life and mission of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy. Catherine McAuley (1778–1841) was an Irish Catholic woman whose deep faith and compassion for the poor shaped her life’s work. After the death of her parents, Catherine spent many years living with relatives and later became a household companion to the wealthy Callaghan family.
When William Callaghan died in 1822, Catherine inherited his estate and used this unexpected gift to carry out her long‑held desire to serve those in need, building the House of Mercy, which opened in 1827. The Sisters of Mercy, founded in 1931, later became known as the “walking nuns” as they walked alongside those in need, visiting the sick and supporting the vulnerable in their homes.
The Sisters of Mercy arrived in Australia just five years after Catherine McAuley’s death. In January 1846, the first group of Sisters—led by Ursula Frayne, who had worked closely with Catherine—landed in Fremantle, Western Australia. They quickly established a school and began ministering to the community. From this initial foundation, the Mercy mission spread rapidly, including to Singleton in 1875.
The work of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy was centred on uplifting the dignity of every person through courage, compassion, respect, and love. At the heart of this mission is Jesus Christ, whose life and teachings inspire the Mercy tradition. His example of love, justice, inclusivity, and service shapes our identity, our relationships, and our commitment to nurturing a community where every child is known, valued, and supported. These Gospel‑centred values reflect the core principles of Catholic Social Teaching, calling us to uphold the dignity of every person, work for justice, foster the common good, and build communities of compassion and hope.
Anchored in prayer and reflection, the Mercy tradition reminds us that who we are becoming matters as much as what we do. Contemplation invites us to pause, listen, and allow God’s grace to shape our hearts, so that our actions flow from an inner place of compassion and humility.
Situated within Medowie, Catherine McAuley Primary School will form a Catholic Education Precinct alongside St Nicholas Early Learning Centre and Catherine McAuley Secondary College—providing education and care to children from Early Childhood through to their Secondary Years of Schooling. This shared precinct strengthens our collective mission to place Christ at the centre of all we do, supporting families through a seamless journey of faith formation and learning.
Our school benefits from a strong and unified Mercy presence alongside Catherine McAuley Secondary College. Together, we share a common heritage and purpose, forming a connected Mercy community across the primary and secondary settings. While each school expresses the charism in ways appropriate to the age and stage of its learners, both remain grounded in the Gospel message and the enduring invitation to “Walk in Mercy” as disciples of Jesus.