Education

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Mary Aikenhead believed that one of the ways to break the cycle of poverty was through education.

With little knowledge about running schools the Sisters, with the help of the Christian Brothers, began to establish schools and a Government School Book was written by one of the Sisters.

This book helped form future Sisters as teachers probably including the first five Sisters to come to Australia – Mother John Cahill, and Sisters Francis de Sales O’Brien, John Baptist De Lacy, Lawrence Cater, and Francis Xavier Williams.

These were well-educated women with teaching skills who began the educational ministry of the Sisters of Charity in Australia.

They taught convict women embroidery and laundry skills at Parramatta, New South Wales.  In this way they hoped they were lifting the women’s prospects of obtaining domestic employment on their release.

The Sisters quickly became involved in bringing greater order to the already existing schools in the colony and eventually became responsible for the management of some. Three of the pioneer Sisters moved to Hobart in 1847 and began St Joseph’s School.

Another early significant foundation was St Vincent’s College at Potts Point NSW, one of the oldest girls’ schools in Australia which began its life as a primary school in 1858. This establishment became possible after purchasing the Tarmons property at Potts Point in 1856 where St Vincent’s Hospital was first founded in 1857.

As a result of the growing number of young women who joined the Sisters of Charity. a network of schools was established in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania. These included parish primary schools, secondary colleges, several boarding schools and orphanages. A teachers’ college to train the Sisters was set up in Sydney and Sisters gradually undertook university qualifications which allowed much diversification in our educational ministries.

To learn more about the later work of the Sisters of Charity in education, click here.

THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
When we have so much to praise the Lord for, we must not complain.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
True affection is to rejoice in the happiness of our dear ones. Never allow a sentiment of resentment to enter into our hearts.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
Pray, reflect and consult – and may the divine spirit direct all to God’s greater glory.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
May our dear Lord Jesus fill your hearts with His own love. Amen!
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
We must have patience with others as He has patience with us.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
Under every difficulty try to pray fervently.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
We have much to thank Him for, even for those little drawbacks on our comforts and conveniences.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
Do pray that justice may be accomplished in peace and that truth may prevail.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
Go on now as steadily as you can, relying on the Divine assistance and fear not.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
What we do ought to be done well.

The Sisters of Charity acknowledge the First Peoples and traditional custodians of this land where we live. We respect, value and honour their history, culture and spirituality. We are committed to standing in solidarity and to actively working for justice, peace and harmony in this land.

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Level 7, 35 Grafton Street
Bondi Junction NSW 2022
Australia

T: (02) 9367 1222