Catholic Education in Western Australia has gone through some changes since becoming incorporated and recently adjustments have been necessary to ensure that there is still an ongoing, unified approach to Catholic Education here in WA. Throughout 2022, all of the governing bodies of Catholic schools in WA (including those Catholic schools independently registered with the Department of Education) collaborated extensively to create a memorandum of understanding. This resulted in an Accord, known as In Communion and Mission, signed by the WA Bishops, CEWA and Catholic school governing bodies.

As outlined earlier this year by Acting Executive Director Mr Wayne Bull, “In Communion and Mission commits all parties to work proactively and cooperatively to realise the vision of Catholic education to be Christ-centred and child-focused. The Accord does not prescribe the day-to-day operations of Catholic schools and their governing bodies, nor is it intended to override the uniqueness of the charism of each of these.”

Signatories to the ICM include Catholic Education Western Australia, the Archbishop of Perth, Most Rev Timothy Costelloe SDB DD; Bishop of Bunbury, Most Rev Gerard Holohan DD; Bishop of Geraldton and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Broome, Most Rev Michael Morrissey DD, along with Edmund Rice Education Australia Ltd, John XXIII College Council Incorporated, Loreto Ministries Ltd, Norbertine Canons Incorporated, Marist Schools Australia Ltd, Mercy Education Ltd, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and the Servite Friars. The ICM operates in alignment with the Bishops’ Mandate for Catholic Education.

Mr John Bormolini
Principal