Our School Story
St Francis’ School, established in 2015, is located on the former site of the Australian Technical College in Maddington. The property was purchased by Catholic Education WA in 2013 with the intention of creating a co-educational CaRE School for disengaged teens in Years 10 to 12. After considering several names, including St Gemma’s Secondary School, St Regis Learning Centre, and St Julia’s Education Centre, the name St Francis’ School was chosen, and the school was officially founded on January 1, 2015. The name St Francis, named after St Francis’ of Assisi, is particularly fitting for a re-engagement school, as St Francis is known for his compassion, humility, and dedication to helping those in need, embodying the values of care and support that are central to the school’s mission.
The foundation principal, Mr. Rory McNally, was appointed in late 2014 and played a crucial role in establishing the school. He oversaw the commencement of operations with an initial enrolment of seven students in 2015. Mr. McNally was known for his zest for life, Irish sense of humour, and passion for his students, which was only surpassed by his love of all things green.
His generous and caring spirit was evident during his time as principal, as he welcomed all families to the school. Although Mr. McNally passed away in March 2016 and did not see any of his foundation students graduate, his legacy of compassion and strength continues to inspire the staff and students of St Francis’ School.
Since its inception, St Francis’ School has undertaken numerous projects to enhance its facilities, including the construction of new buildings and the upgrading of existing ones, as well as improvements to the gardens and grounds. The school welcomed its first cohort of seven students on March 3, 2015, and by the end of that year, the number had increased to sixteen. Over the years, enrolment numbers have steadily grown reaching new milestones each year.
Throughout the past decade, St Francis’ School has continuously evolved, striving to provide the best possible education and support for its students. Recently, the school celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a series of events and activities that highlighted its journey and achievements. This milestone provided a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the school’s history, celebrate its successes, and look forward to the future with optimism and excitement.
Our Vision
To be a leading Catholic Co-Educational CARE School, offering a safe, nurturing environment for teenagers who, for a variety of reasons, are educationally marginalised in society and find themselves unable to attend mainstream schools.
Our Mission
We follow the teachings of the Gospel by showing honour, respect and love to every student regardless of their background and socio-economic standing.
Before and After
Before
After
Administration building
Before
After
Front entrance
