Families


Our schools and early learning centres are welcoming and supportive communities where students and their families feel a true sense of belonging. Recognising parents and carers as children's first and most important educators, we work in genuine partnership with families to nurture every aspect of student growth. We embrace all who join us, offering every opportunity to thrive academically, socially, spiritually and emotionally, guided by our dedicated teachers working alongside families.
We warmly welcome families who support the ethos, values and mission of a Catholic education, and we value the partnership between home and school. We accept enrolment applications from families of all faith backgrounds who seek a Catholic education for their children.
For primary schools and early learning centres, we give priority to children who are baptised Catholic and living within the defined priority areas. Our secondary colleges give priority to students who are baptised Catholic and attending a Catholic primary school.
Together with families as partners in education, we create nurturing environments where every child can flourish and reach their full potential.

Priority enrolment areas
ACT Catholic primary schools have designated priority enrolment areas. Our nine early learning centres in the ACT serve a number of schools in their local area. ACT secondary schools do not have priority enrolment areas.
NSW does not have defined priority enrolment areas. There are some special conditions for NSW schools and these can be found within the Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn enrolment information pack.

Quality education
We provide families with a high quality, Catholic education, with a strong commitment to religious education at the heart of all learning. This supports each student on their journey toward a meaningful, hope-filled, and flourishing life.
Every day, our caring staff share faith and learning with students, leading by example and guiding them on their spiritual path.

Apply or enquire through school websites
To enrol your child, complete the enquiry form on the school website. If you have questions about the enrolment process, email enrolment@cg.catholic.edu.au.
Before applying, check whether your residential address falls within the school's priority enrolment area (for ACT primary schools). If you live outside this area, our enrolments team can support you with your application.

Financial assistance
We have a particular responsibility to welcome, accept and support those who are experiencing financial hardship, marginalised and in most need. No child is to be denied Catholic schooling simply because of an inability, as opposed to an unwillingness, of a parent or guardian, to meet financial requirements.
Contact the school principal or bursar if you have concerns about your ability to pay fees.


ACT enrolment information NSW enrolment information ACT priority enrolment areas Enrolment policy and related documents Child safeguarding Catholic School Parents website

Student

Our Commitment Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation, among both students and staff, has continued to grow annually in our schools and early learning centres.

CECG is committed to maximising the learning opportunities for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students as well as ensuring an important focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education. We are working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to achieve equitable outcomes in education.

Aboriginal Nations of our Archdiocese Map
Aboriginal Nations of our Archdiocese

Our Archdiocese covers an area of 88,000 square kilometres of Country, stretching from Pambula on the South Coast to Crookwell in the north, through to Lake Cargelligo in the west and the whole of the ACT. This encompasses five Aboriginal Nations: the Ngunnawal, Ngarigo, Wiradjuri, Gundungurra and Yuin peoples.

Wiradjuri

Wiradjuri Country is the largest in NSW, stretching from the eastern boundary of the Great Dividing Range and drawing a line from the present towns of Hay and Nyngan at the western boundary. Gunnedah and Albury mark the northern and southern boundaries of Wiradjuri Country.

Gundungarra

Gundungarra Country is in south-eastern NSW. Gundungarra lands encompass what are now Goulburn and Berrima and the Southern Highlands, running down the Hawkesbury River (Wollondilly) to the Camden area.

Ngunnawal

Ngunnawal people are the direct descendants of the original custodians of the area near present-day Goulburn, Yass and Canberra.

Yuin

Yuin is the encompassing name for the diverse Aboriginal tribes and groups from the NSW south coast, who are the traditional owners of the land and water from Merimbula to the southern head of the sea entrance of the Shoalhaven River, and inland to the Great Dividing Range.

Ngargio

Ngarigo traditional lands extend from Canberra in the north to the Victorian border in the south, including the area of the Monaro and Limestone plains and the Snowy Mountains.

Aboriginal Education Team
The CECG Aboriginal Education team works across the Archdiocese supporting our schools through an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lens.

In collaboration with principals, school staff and office staff, the team provides advice and support on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education. This includes cultural awareness and responsiveness, community protocols, and professional development for staff.

The Aboriginal Education team assists teachers to develop programs and resources for Aboriginal and non-Indigenous students with an emphasis on First Nations cultures and histories. The team provides practical strategies within these programs to ensure cultural inclusivity and the authentic integration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures across all learning areas. The team works closely with a network of contact teachers and Aboriginal education workers in CECG schools.
Aboriginal Education
Artwork by Ethan Steele (10) from St Francis of Assisi Primary School, Calwell (Wiradjuri Nation), 2025 NAIDOC art competition.
Aboriginal Painting
"My picture is of a Tree and the Cross as one. The tree of life represents connection. Connection to people, connection to tradition and connection to faith.

The tree roots remind me sometimes there is more than what I see. The tree and the cross are tall, proud and strong. The leaves move and sway in strong winds. They remind me that we can be strong but can also bend without breaking.

The animals tell me I am not alone. I live on Ngunawal (Ngunnawal) country and they are the totems of the lands that surround me. The Wedge Tail Eagle of the Ngunawal, The Goanna of the Wiradjuri, The Emu of the Gundungurra and the Black duck of the Ngarigo and Yuin. They are coming together to be friends to help each other."

Defence families We are proud to welcome Australian Defence Force families into our school communities.

We understand the challenges of military life with frequent moves, deployments and changes in routine. We aim to provide dedicated support to help your child feel settled, connected and ready to succeed.

Defence School Mentors (DSMs) work in many CECG schools to assist with enrolment, wellbeing and learning, ensuring every Defence student feels valued and supported. This is particularly important during difficult times such as a new posting, or when a parent or carer is away from home.
Defence School Mentors (DSMs) DSMs are specialist staff who work in many CECG schools throughout the ACT and Queanbeyan, NSW. They are funded by the Department of Defence and employed as part of the school team.

What DSMs do:
  • Assist families moving to Canberra with enrolment and school selection
  • Help students settle into new schools and make friends quickly
  • Monitor social, emotional and academic wellbeing
  • Liaise with teachers and wellbeing teams to provide extra support, as needed
  • Connect families with Defence and community resources.
Activities and events for Defence students To help students feel included and build friendships, DSMs organise:
  • Defence clubs: Regular catchups to help students connect with other children of Defence members.
  • Morning teas and lunches: Informal social gatherings.
  • Commemorative ceremonies: ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day and other special events.
  • Excursions and camps: Opportunities to meet other Defence students.
  • Guest speaker sessions: Offering resilience and wellbeing strategies.
Support during deployment When a parent or carer is away, DSMs provide extra care to students by:
  • regularly checking in with them to gauge how they are coping with the absence
  • notifying teachers to ensure additional classroom support is available
  • encouraging communication with the deployed parent or carer through letters, video calls or journals.
Academic and wellbeing support
  • DSMs can help families arrange tutoring and advise on Defence education allowances.
  • DSMs can help families to engage with professional counselling services at school or through Defence.
Support with a new posting Leaving a school you love can be challenging. DSMs can help students:
  • say goodbye to friends
  • prepare for their new school
  • stay positive about the move.
Why Defence students need extra support Military life means frequent relocations and long absences, which can affect friendships, learning and mental health. Our goal is to make every Defence student feel valued, understood and ready to succeed.
Enrolling your child in one of our schools DSMs can be the first point of contact for Defence families who are moving to Canberra. CECG mentors listen to what you are looking for in a school and can put you in touch with the principal, who will guide you through the enrolment process. Our schools welcome enrolments throughout the school year. Contact one of our DSMs or email enrolment@cg.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions.

Contact a Defence School Mentor
Primary schools DSM name Phone number
Good Shepherd Primary School, Amaroo Taryn Ahern (02) 6255 7888
Holy Spirit Primary School, Nicholls Amy Graham (02) 6241 8640
Mother Teresa Primary School, Harrison Carly Flemington (02) 6241 5604
St Bede’s Primary School, Red Hill Linda De Salis (02) 6295 6559
St Gregory’s Primary School, Queanbeyan Michelle Smith (02) 6297 1396
St Joseph’s Primary School, O’Connor Lisa Bauer (02) 6248 9818
St Thomas More’s Primary School, Campbell Biljana Peresin (02) 6249 8869


Secondary colleges DSM name Phone number
Merici College, Braddon Kerry-Anne Kennealy (02) 6243 4190
St John Paul II College, Nicholls Zonika Smith (02) 6163 4800
St Clare’s College, Griffith Alice Coleman (02) 6260 9421
St Mary MacKillop College, Canberra Justin Kain (02) 6209 0100

Catholic School Parents Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn (CSAPCG), launched in 2014, is recognised by the Archbishop as the peak body representing the interests of all Catholic school families in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn.

CSPACG meets quarterly to discuss topics of interest to families within the Archdiocese and is frequently called on to provide parent perspective on issues that affect Catholic school families.

CSPACG contributes to the work of State and National parent councils who are called upon by government and various stakeholders for input into discussions around current topical issues. Visit the CSPACG website at https://www.parents.cg.catholic.edu.au/ or email parents@cg.catholic.edu.au for more information on how to become involved.

School Community Councils bring together parents, carers and school leadership in genuine partnership. These councils create meaningful opportunities for families to share their unique gifts, insights and experiences while working alongside educators to enrich the school community. Through active participation in school life, parents and carers contribute to the Catholic educational mission and help shape the environment where their children learn and grow.

The school community council executive team works collaboratively with the principal and school leadership, supporting shared goals and initiatives. As valued partners in education, councils play an important role in school life through contributing to important conversations, providing insights on matters affecting students and families, participating actively in school events and celebrations, and sharing the collective wisdom of the parent community to help inform thoughtful decision-making.

Every family's voice matters. To learn more about joining your school's community of parent partners, please contact your local school about its School Community Council.