Overview
Nagle Catholic College is named after the Presentation Sisters founder, The Venerable Nano Nagle.[3] Formerly a boarding college, Nagle is now a day school catering for students from Year 7 to Year 12. The current college's campus is located on the Stella Maris Presentation College site, which today[when?] has grown to a college catering to 1,200 students.
Prior to the establishment of Nagle, St Patrick's College and Stella Maris Presentation College was the only form of Catholic higher school education available in Geraldton. Stella Maris College was founded by the Presentation Sisters while St Patrick's College was established by the Christian Brothers. Stella Maris provided higher education for females, while its counterpart provided higher education for the male demographic of Geraldton.
The college formerly housed a convent for the Presentation Sisters, which became a primary school and a church prior the establishment of St Francis Xavier's Cathedral. Moreover, the campus was built on former sandhills hence its hilly landscape.
In 2016, Nagle commenced the formation of a campus in Carnarvon, where it offers an opportunity for Carnavon students to achieve a catholic high school education, without leaving their hometown.[4]
Nagle Catholic College was voted "Best School" in Geraldton as voted in The Best of Geraldton competition, held by Red FM.[5]
History
Nagle Catholic College was formed from the agreement between authorities of the two parent colleges, Stella Maris Presentation College and St Patrick's College. The authorities thought it would be beneficial to combine the schools, to better cater for the students. The college was named after Nano Nagle, who founded the Presentation Sisters in Ireland in 1775.[6]
Arrival of Presentation Sisters (1891–1902)
The origins of Nagle Catholic College is woven into history that spans back to 1891 when Bishop Gibney, requested the Presentation Sisters from Ireland begin teaching in Geraldton. The sisters founded the 'Star of the Sea' Young Lady's Secondary Education Academy erected on the corner of Marine Terrace and Lewis Street.
In 1896, the government withdrew all funding, hence making the college completely independent.
In 1901, the college opened its doors to boarders, as boarding facilities became available.
Stella Maris Presentation College (1903–1993)
In 1903, the Presentation Convent was erected at its present site in Sanford Street, where it acted as a primary school and a church prior the establishment of St Francis Xavier Cathedral.
In 1911, the construction of the new college campus began beside the current convent, where the first stone was laid by Bishop Bernard Kelly, the first bishop of Geraldton. The construction finished in 1912 and was welcomed by many commendations on its presentation. In 1913, the campus was officially named Stella Maris Presentation College. Mother Joseph O'Connell, the foundress of the Presentation community died in 1933,
50 years of the Presentation Sisters in Geraldton was marked in 1941, and was celebrated by guests arriving from throughout the state. The outbreak of World War II affected the college in 1942, where students were evacuated to Mount Magnet.
The 'Prefect concept' was introduced in 1943 to give senior students a sense of leadership. Melva Sallans carried out the duties of Senior Perfect, assisted by Effie Dallimore, Joan Mulligan and Rica Diamond.
The Diamond Jubilee of the Presentation Sisters in 1951 is celebrated with a new wing to the school.
In 1961, severe flooding of the town caused for an evacuation of the students to Carnarvon.
The campus was enlarged during the 1970s and 1980s with the second extension of the campus, a new sports oval, the completion of the Maitland Street Extension, new auditorium, new pool and new tennis courts all being constructed on these two decades.
In 1977, the Stella Maris Orchestra and Choir performed for Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.
The house system was introduced in 1978 with the houses: Finns, Russels, Nagles and O'Connels being established.
During 1985, the college bought nine Commodore 64 computers to encourage digital learning.
In 1991, the centenary of the Presentation Sisters in Western Australia and the centenary of Stella Maris college was celebrated.
Stella Maris College celebrated its final year in 1993, before it amalgamates with St. Patrick's College to form Nagle Catholic College.[7]
St. Patrick's College (1925–1993)
On 22 June 1925, Bishop Richard Ryan wrote a plea to the Australian Provincial of the Christian Brothers for an opening of a new educational institution for males in Geraldton:
...now I want you to send us two or three brothers. There is no place in Australia in need of a brother's school. The whole future of religion is bound up with it. There has been a crying need for many a day. The work will be truly apostolic as going to China...
— Bishop Richard Ryan
Hence on 11 December, Brother Celsus O'Donnell arrived in Geraldton to prepare the opening of the new boarding college. On the school year of 1926, St Patrick's College was officially opened with Brother O'Donnell as the first principal. On the 15th of February, there was a reported sixty day boys and ten boarders in attendance.
In 1940, the first prefects were appointed with Kevin Bradley, Geoffrey Meyer, John White, Bernard Williams, Charles Cripps and Ronald Hesford undertaking the positions.
St Patrick's Day in 1943 was marked with sports and surfing, which was the origin of the popular St Patrick's Day tradition Nagle participates every year.
During the 60s, bands began to form with 'Les Silhouettes' and 'The Doppler Effect' taking over the St Patrick's College music scene.
In 1976, the Golden jubilee of St Patrick's College was built, with a new primary school being built.
During 1994, St Patrick's College began the process of merging with Stella Maris College to form Nagle Catholic College.[8]
Currently, the St Patrick's College campus is home to the Catholic Education Geraldton branch and Leaning Tree Primary School.
Nagle today (1994–present)
In 1994, Nagle Catholic College was founded, combining the two boarding colleges. Therefore, it was the first time the two genders combined in one school. The authority chose the Stella Maris Presentation College campus to grow the newly combined college. Bishop Justin Bianchini formally commissioned the college.
Nagle has grown into a dynamic college with new buildings erecting in the campus. For example, are the Edmund Rice Library, Bishop Bianchinni Gymnasium and Maslen Science Area, with all three buildings erected around within the decade.
In 2016, Nagle expanded its operations to the remote town of Carnavon, where it offers Years 11-12 a similar curriculum as the original curriculum of the Geraldton campus.
- Stella Maris Presentation College and St. Patrick's College
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Stella Maris Presentation College, now the current campus of Nagle Catholic College
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The current facade of Nagle Catholic College
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St. Patrick's College in Geraldton (contributed by the Geraldton Regional Library)
Academics
The school serves students in Years 7 through to 12, with each Year or set of Years having different focuses on courses.[12]
In 2012, 100% of Nagle Catholic College's students achieved a WACE. And during the same year, Nagle was on top for the Best Performing in WA for Geography.[13]
For 2015, Nagle was the best performing school in Geraldton, as it was the only school that made to the top 50 schools in WA for Vocational Education and Training (VET). 96% of Nagle Catholic College VET students achieved a Cert II or higher and was ranked 40th in WA.[14] Meanwhile, ATAR students had a median of 70 as an ATAR score, with 5.87% achieving an ATAR above 75. Out of 417 Geraldton students applicable for a WACE Certificate, 154 are from Nagle Catholic College. 99.35% of students are reported to have graduated in 2015.[15]
