College set to separate campuses

A big change is on the horizon for Bunbury Catholic College after the Catholic Education Commission of WA announced last week its two campuses, Mercy and Marist, would become separate colleges from term one, 2020.

Bunbury Catholic College principal Denise O’Meara said following the success of the Marist and Mercy campuses and rapid growth in enrolments, the decision was inevitable. “For a long time we have needed two colleges in the Bunbury area,” Mrs O’Meara said.

“The Mercy campus was opened as a second campus to Bunbury partly to alleviate the enrolment pressures but also mainly to open up more enrolment places for students in this area.”

Mrs O’Meara said the new, yet to be named college would have to undergo a lengthy process to be up and and running by 2020.

“The announcement has only just been made and we will go into a consultation process – in fact we have already started that so the first thing we need to do is have a name for the new college so we can put in the registration papers to the government.”

Mrs O’Meara said she had already flagged the announcement with students and the community which had raised question on the change in uniform.

“Each of the elements of the transition will go through a consultation process and uniforms will be one of those,” Mrs O’Meara said.

“The colours, the motto and everything in regards to uniforms – we will begin the process at the beginning of next term.”

Catholic Education WA executive director Dr Debra Sayce said separation of the two colleges was a significant step forward for the Catholic community in Greater Bunbury.

“The creation of two separate colleges in the Bunbury region will ensure current and future demand for Catholic education will be met and resourced,” Dr Sayce said.

“This follows the growth and success of the two campuses and community consultation undertaken in 2018.”

There will be ongoing consultation with parents, students and staff on key issues.

This would include the opportunity for the school community to be involved in creating the new identity for the Mercy campus.