The Seventies marked the beginning of the tradition of St Catherine's. The school was officially opened by Archbishop Rush in 1973 and was run by the Presentation Sisters. The initial enrolment consisted of children in Years One and Two situated in one small block of six classrooms. Over the ensuing years, St Catherine's quickly grew and this necessitated the construction of another block of classrooms and the Administration block. With the closure of a neighbouring school, there was a significant increase in the school’s enrolment in 1979. As the Year Seven classes had to be conducted in the Administration block, a third block of classrooms was needed. Also during these years, the church had been extended and a convent built to accommodate the large community of Presentation Sisters who worked in St Catherine's Primary School, St Thomas More Secondary College and the Catholic Education Office.
The Eighties also witnessed some important events for St Catherine's. This decade saw the gradual withdrawal of Presentation Sisters, as they moved to other areas of pastoral need, with the last of their Order retiring in the late eighties. The first lay principal was appointed in 1986, thus beginning a new tradition for the school. With the construction of a new parish church, the old church building was refurbished to provide a Library and Hall. Also, the school ovals and adventure playground were established during this time.
The Nineties, because of changing demographic patterns, found a smaller school community but one that was no less vital. This technological decade saw the computerisation of the School Office and the Library as well as the establishment of computer centres in the various areas of the school.
A Preschool was established in 2000 and a Transition Class in 2003. From 2007 to 2014, St Catherine's offered Prep to Year Seven. In 2015, Year Seven became the first year of High School in Queensland, thus making Year Six our Senior class. A pre-Prep year of Kindergarten, operated by the C&K Association, is provided on site. Centacare Child Care Services manage the Outside School Hours Care service who operate before and after school and vacation care.
Throughout five decades, St Catherine's has maintained a commitment towards treating each student as a unique individual and it is this philosophy which has created the spirit that is evident within the school. St Catherine's is proud to continue this tradition into the future.
© Brisbane Catholic Education, St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School (2015)
