St Aloysius College, in North Melbourne is one of Melbourne’s oldest Catholic schools. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1887, the college was built on the values of justice, compassion, hospitality, respect, service, and courage. Today the school is led by Principal Mary Farah who is dedicated to honouring the Mercy traditions that have served previous generations so well, while being forward-focused and progressive in her approach, embracing change in many forms over her 13-year tenure. The first of these cultural shifts was realised in 2023, when in the face of declining enrollments, the college made a bold move to welcome its first cohort of boys into year 7 after 136 years as a single sex school. The change immediately placed St Aloysius in the unique position as the only Catholic co-education secondary school in inner Melbourne, and with its current enrollments of 812 projected to grow past 1000 in 2027, the Altiora move has seen the college thrive.

For more than four decades, Assumption Catholic Primary School has provided Catholic education in Mandurah, Western Australia, welcoming children and families into a community grounded in faith, learning, service and belonging. Founded in the spirit of the Presentation Sisters, Assumption continues that tradition through its motto, ‘United in Christ’, with a commitment to help every child flourish in mind, heart, body and spirit. Now, a $2.4 million refurbishment of the school’s Senior Teaching Block is giving an established part of the campus a new future. Supported by a $2.3 million loan from CDF, the project has transformed classrooms for students in Years 3 to 6. For new Principal Colin Loh, the investment reflects Assumption’s commitment to providing an education that responds to the needs of today’s students while remaining grounded in its Catholic identity.

At the heart of Avila College’s Mount Waverley campus, a new learning space is taking shape - one that carries six decades of educational tradition into an exciting new chapter. The St Teresa Library was formally blessed and opened in July, marking the completion of the final stage of the College’s current master plan and creating a contemporary new hub designed to support learning, connection and opportunity for generations of Avila students. Supported by a $9 million CDF loan, the project represents a significant investment in the future of this Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) secondary school for girls, which educates almost 1,100 students from Years 7 to 12. A Future Focused Heart for the College

When the San Damiano Creativity Hub was officially opened and blessed at St Francis Catholic College, Cobblebank , it marked far more than the completion of a new building. It represented the next chapter in a vision more than four decades in the making - one that has seen a small regional Catholic college grow into one of Melbourne's largest and fastest-growing Catholic secondary schools, while remaining firmly grounded in its Franciscan mission. CDF is proud to continue its longstanding partnership with St Francis Catholic College, supporting Stage 2 of the Cobblebank Campus with a $14.5 million loan, building on the earlier $18 million loan that helped establish the campus. From 57 Students to More Than 2,000

Surrounded by recently built homes on the gently sloping plains of Thornhill Park, Saint Padre Pio Catholic Primary School stands as a beacon of spirituality and hope for an emerging community. As cars stop curbside to release eager students, and parents and children walk hand-in-hand down the footpaths towards the school, Foundation Principal Daniel Bermingham is out front offering a friendly smile and greeting at the beginning of a new day. “I’ve worked at many schools over my career, and this is the most spiritual school I’ve ever experienced, and it’s because of the Thornhill Park community,” says Daniel.

As CDF celebrates 70 years of empowering Catholic communities, we are delighted to announce that applications for the 2026 CDF Father James Wall Bursary are now open. To mark our 70th anniversary, the value of each bursary has increased from $5,000 to $7,000. Seven bursaries will be awarded across the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Dioceses of Sale, Ballarat and Bunbury, supporting outstanding Year 10 students as they complete Years 11 and 12 at a Catholic secondary school. Honouring a founding vision Established in 2002, the Father James Wall Bursary honours the vision of CDF's founder, Fr James Wall. In 1956, at a time when Melbourne was experiencing a post-war population boom and government funding for Catholic schools was unavailable, Fr Wall established the Fund, as a new way for Catholic communities to invest in the future of education and support schools in growing communities. For 70 years, CDF has continued that mission, partnering with Catholic organisations to build schools, churches, health care services, aged care facilities and other projects that strengthen communities. The Father James Wall Bursary carries that same spirit forward, investing directly in young people who demonstrate the leadership, service and compassion that Fr Wall's vision was built upon. Since its establishment, the Bursary has supported 119 students, helping them complete their senior secondary education and grow into confident leaders making a meaningful contribution to their schools and communities. CDF CEO John McClusky said the increase in bursary value is a fitting way to mark the anniversary. " As we celebrate CDF's 70th anniversary, it is fitting that we honour Fr James Wall's legacy by increasing the value of these bursaries and continuing to invest in young people who are already demonstrating leadership, compassion and service within their school communities." 

Shining bright in crisp autumn sun, the colourful playground at St Agatha’s Catholic Primary School in Cranbourne stands quietly in peaceful silence until a sudden burst of upbeat music signals the beginning of recess and students stream out into the fresh air and sunshine with squeals of laughter and delight. Walking into this heartening scene, Principal Michelle Bruitzman is quick to greet students who surge around her with a smile. Celebrating its fiftieth year in 2026, St Agatha’s has been a keystone in the lives of thousands of families since it was established in 1976. “ We have students whose parents and grandparents went here as well as children of families newly arrived from all over the world ,” says Michelle.

Catholic communities across western Victoria came together from 25 to 29 May 2026 to celebrate Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Ltd (DOBCEL) Catholic Education Week, gathering under the theme "Peace be with you all" (Romans 15:33) to reflect on the faith, learning and belonging that lie at the heart of Catholic education. Schools across the Diocese embraced the week in ways that reflected their own unique character; liturgies, prayer experiences, student-led activities and acts of hospitality brought students, families and staff together in celebration. A highlight was the historic Mass celebrated at Sovereign Hill's recreated St Alipius Tent Church for the first time since COVID, connecting today's students and educators with the rich heritage of Catholic education in Ballarat.

In May 2026, Salesian College Chadstone officially opened and blessed its renewed Mannix Year 7 and 8 Learning Precinct - the largest single investment in the College's history, and a defining moment in its continuing commitment to faith-filled, contemporary Catholic education in Melbourne's south-east. The $17 million redevelopment that has transformed the Mannix Campus into a dedicated learning environment for students beginning their secondary school journey, almost doubling its capacity and creating a space designed from the ground up around belonging, wellbeing, faith and learning.