Eileen O’Connor Catholic College 7 Thomas Street, Lewisham, New South Wales 2049

Welcome to Eileen O’Connor Catholic College, located in Lewisham, Australia. Our college is an establishment and a point of interest that provides quality Catholic education for young people with a moderate intellectual disability from Kindergarten to Year 12. We are dedicated to celebrating diversity, unlocking potential, and transforming lives.

At Eileen O’Connor Catholic College, we believe in creating a learning environment that embraces the use of technology and encourages curiosity, enjoyment, and a lifelong enthusiasm for learning. Our small classes with a high staff-student ratio ensure personalized learning opportunities for our students. Additionally, we provide access to allied health services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, positive behavior support, and counseling.

Named after Eileen O’Connor, the co-founder of Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor, our college draws inspiration from her ministry of healthcare, advocacy, and friendship to the poor and disadvantaged. Despite her own disability, Eileen's remarkable work serves as a guide for our college's vision: Celebrating Diversity, Unlocking Potential & Transforming Lives.

As a part of this strong and vibrant school community, we prioritize excellence in teaching and learning while nurturing the social and emotional needs of our students. Our aim is to provide a warm, safe, and happy environment where every student feels welcome and cared for. We strive to meet the individual needs of each child and support them in becoming confident and resilient individuals.

Eileen O’Connor Catholic College Lewisham was established in 2016 as the first Sydney systemic Catholic special school. It initially started with 20 students in Year 7 and 8 and has since grown to become a K–12 college accommodating up to 110 students. The college is situated on a site with a rich Catholic history, shared with other Catholic organizations including the Parish of St Thomas of Canterbury and the Society of St Vincent de Paul.

Eileen O’Connor, despite being severely disabled, lived a remarkable life and dedicated herself to serving the poor and disadvantaged. Her legacy continues to inspire our model of service delivery at Eileen O’Connor Catholic College.

Our vision is to provide an excellent standard of education within a stimulating Catholic environment. Our committed and caring professionals prioritize inclusion in all teaching and learning practices. Our mission is to provide, support, and sustain innovative and dynamic teaching and learning practices that transform the lives of all our students.

Eileen O’Connor Catholic College is proud to be a part of Sydney Catholic Schools, a system of over 150 low-fee Catholic schools in the Sydney Archdiocese. These schools are thriving Catholic communities that ignite a love for Christ through excellent teaching and learning, empowering students to reach their full potential.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our schools and offices now stand and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

For more information, please contact our Parish Administrator, Rev Samuel Lynch, at 5 Drynan Street, Summer Hill, NSW 2130. You can reach us at (02) 9798 6016 or via email at [email protected]. Visit our website at www.thomaspatrick.org.au to learn more about our school and community.