History
Our school has a proud and rich history spanning more than 70 years of Catholic education in the local community.
Originally established in 1914 as St Anne’s, the school was guided for many years by the Sisters of Mercy, who played a significant role in shaping its strong foundations of faith, care and learning. In 1956, the school was renamed St Maria Goretti’s Catholic School, a name it continues to carry with pride today.
As our local community has grown, so too has our school. In response to increasing enrolments, a second stream was introduced across year levels in 2013, marking an important stage in our ongoing development as a thriving, future-focused school.
Today, St Maria Goretti’s Catholic School is a vibrant, double-stream co-educational Catholic primary school, catering for students from 4-Year-Old Kindergarten to Year 6. With a current enrolment of approximately 438 students, our school continues to grow while remaining grounded in its strong sense of community, faith and tradition.
In 2026, we proudly celebrate 70 years as a Catholic school, honouring the generations of students, families and staff who have contributed to our story and helped shape the school we are today.
Patron
Our school is proudly named after St Maria Goretti, one of the youngest saints in the Catholic Church, whose life continues to inspire courage, forgiveness and faith.
Born in Italy in 1890, Maria grew up in a simple farming family and was known for her deep faith, kindness and strong sense of right and wrong from a young age. Even in difficult circumstances, she remained committed to living with integrity and trusting in God.
Maria’s life was tragically short, but her final act of forgiveness towards someone who had harmed her has become a powerful example of mercy, compassion and strength of spirit. She was canonised as a saint in 1950, recognised for her extraordinary witness to forgiveness and faith.
At our school, St Maria Goretti’s example shapes the values we strive to live each day. We encourage students to show respect, make thoughtful choices, stand up for what is right and treat others with kindness and dignity. Her story reminds our community that even in challenging moments, we are called to respond with courage, compassion and hope.
Through her example, our students are inspired to become young people who lead with heart, act with integrity and build a more caring and respectful world.
School prayer
Lord of all creation, inspired by the example of St Maria Goretti, may we lead with courage, serve God faithfully and act justly always.
Let us strive for excellence in all we do.
For the glory of God.
Amen
St Maria Goretti - Pray for Us
Our Mission & Purpose
The dedicated staff of St Maria Goretti’s Catholic School are focused on helping your child reach their potential spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically and socially.
We strive to nurture and educate the whole child in a Catholic context.
Logo
Our Logo
The St Maria Goretti Catholic School logo is inspired by the lily, a symbol closely associated with our patron saint, St Maria Goretti. The layered design represents the many individuals and cultures that come together to form our vibrant school community, united in faith, learning, and belonging.
At the centre of the logo is the cross, reflecting the importance of Christ in all that we do. As a Catholic school, our faith is at the heart of our mission, guiding the way we learn, grow, and serve others.
The upward movement of the design symbolises growth, aspiration, and the journey of each student as they are nurtured to reach their full potential. Together, the elements of the logo reflect a community that is welcoming, inclusive, and committed to forming confident, compassionate, and faith-filled young people.
Our motto, "To Nurture and Educate," captures our commitment to supporting the spiritual, academic, social, and emotional development of every child.
School Values
Courage to S.H.I.N.E.
At St Maria Goretti Catholic School, our values are inspired by the life and witness of our patron saint, St Maria Goretti. Despite her young age, Maria demonstrated extraordinary courage, faith, forgiveness, and trust in God. Her example reminds us that true strength is found in living our values each day, even when faced with challenges.
Introduced in 2025, Courage to S.H.I.N.E. is the foundation of our school culture and reflects the qualities we strive to nurture in every student. Through these values, we encourage our students to grow as confident learners, compassionate leaders, and faith-filled members of the community.
S.H.I.N.E. stands for:
Service – Following the example of Jesus, we use our gifts and talents to help others and contribute positively to our school, parish, and wider community.
Hope – We trust in God's plan, approach challenges with optimism, and inspire others through our faith and resilience.
Integrity – We act with honesty, respect, and responsibility, making choices that reflect our Catholic values and doing what is right, even when it is difficult.
Nurture – We care for ourselves, one another, and God's creation, building a community where everyone feels safe, valued, and supported.
Excellence – We strive to be the very best version of ourselves, embracing opportunities to learn, grow, and achieve our personal best.
The word "Courage" sits at the heart of our values framework because courage is what enables us to live these values each day. Just as St Maria Goretti showed remarkable courage through her faith and actions, we encourage our students to have the courage to serve, hope, act with integrity, nurture others, and pursue excellence.
Together, these values empower our students to shine brightly in their learning, relationships, faith, and service to others, making a positive difference in the world around them.