I would like to welcome you to the website for Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, representing the sixth largest education system in Australia and operating in the third largest Catholic diocese in the world. The first Catholic school in Melbourne opened in January 1840 with 41 pupils in Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. Today, there are 329 schools in the Archdiocese: 256 primary schools, 67 secondary schools and 7 special schools catering for approximately 141,000 students, supported by more than 11,600 staff.

Catholic education contributes to the Church's educational mission and promotes a view of the individual and the community centred on the person and teachings of Jesus Christ. The Catholic Education Office Melbourne (CEOM) works in partnership with our Catholic schools to provide an educational foundation that develops the whole person within a school environment imbued with Christian values. Through a range of direct services, the CEOM assists Catholic schools in the Archdiocese to become schools of first choice for Catholic families. The CEOM also provides a wide range of advice and services for schools, teachers and members of the Catholic education community.

I invite you to explore this website to discover the latest news and information on a range of issues and events that affect Catholic education and Catholic schools.

Stephen Elder
Director of Catholic Education