Corpus Christi College, Perth

Corpus Christi College was officially opened as a co-educational Catholic College for secondary students by the Archbishop of Perth, Sir Lancelot Goody, and the Commonwealth Minister for Finance, John Dawkins, on 17 April 1983. It was established as the first non-order owned co-educational Catholic Secondary College in the Archdiocese of Perth by the Catholic Education Commission. From its opening it had 128 Year 8 students and 7 teaching staff which has since grown into its present numbers of 1755 students from Kindergarten to Year 12, after amalgamating with Yidarra Catholic Primary School on 1 January 2022.^[3]

The school has produced one Rhodes scholar: Travers McLeod (2007).^[4]

In 1983, construction of foundation block was completed, consisting of a temporary canteen (now the college chapel), classrooms, change-rooms and a temporary library. In 1985-86, this was extended with the completion of the lower facing classrooms of Mayne Block and The Robert McCormack Library as well as a larger administration building. A new canteen was built facing the college courtyards in 1987. This was followed by extensions to the library in 1988. In 1990, the performing arts complex was completed consisting of an auditorium and two music classrooms. Construction of an adjacent gymnasium was completed by 1997. In 2004, a new centre for Year 8 students was built and design technology classrooms were refurbished.

In 2006, much needed extensions to the administration and staff room were completed. In 2009, the college welcomed its first year 7 cohort with the new Sadler Centre, originally consisting of six classrooms but later expanded to eight. By 2014, the old canteen was replaced by the new cafeteria branching out into the school courtyards with a dedicated space for musical performances and concerts. This also brought new offices and areas for both the college's Ministry and English departments. In 2016, a new gymnasium was constructed consisting of 12 classrooms, a fitness centre, new change rooms and an amphitheatre. This allowed refurbishments in 2017 to be completed transforming the former gymnasium into a performing arts centre. In 2019, this was expanded into the construction of a theatre seating 400 attendees. In 2021, construction for the Jennifer Reilly Aquatic Centre was completed allowing for its use in physical education classes, swimming carnivals, extra-curricular swim clubs and a learn-to-swim program.^[5]

In 2022, Corpus Christi College amalgamated with Yidarra Catholic Primary School. This allowed for the college to become a K-12 school allowing for students to commence education in kindergarten instead of Year 7. Additionally, students enrolled at Yiddara Catholic Primary School will automatically be accepted into Corpus Christi College.^[6]

Corpus Christi College is situated on a single, seven hectare campus, located in suburban Bateman.

The current facilities of the college include: a Theatre; Education Support Centre; chapel; library; science laboratories; an auditorium with associated music and drama facilities; computer laboratories; specialist rooms for art, craft, food technology, fabrics and textiles, materials technology, technical graphics and information communication technology; a gymnasium; oval; playing fields; year 7 block; multipurpose hall; hard courts; an aquatics centre.

Officially opened in August 2019, the Caroline Payne Theatre caters to the needs of drama, dance and music disciplines, while also being suitable for assemblies and presentations.

The college completed construction for the Jennifer Reilly Aquatic Centre in 2021. The aquatic centre includes a heated 25 metre, eight-lane indoor lap and water polo pool, a separate 12 metre learn-to-swim pool and terrace seating for 180 people. The aquatic centre was named after the college’s alumni student, Jennifer Reilly, an Olympian swimmer who has competed internationally.^[5]

The college consists of many positions aimed at developing an inclusive and supportive Christian community including House coordinators, psychologists, deputy principals and Christian Service leaders.

As with most Australian schools, Corpus utilises a house system. Students are placed in a house in Year 7 or when joining the college, these houses determine their homeroom for Years 7-12 and their involvement in many pastoral and athletic based activities and events. As of 2011, there are eight houses:

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