Some people may find content on this website distressing.
Read more
New South Wales - Organisation
Roman Catholic Orphan School (1837 - 1844)
- From
- 1837
- To
- 1844
- Categories
- Catholic, Home, Orphanage
The Roman Catholic Orphan School was established at Waverley House, a large home in Waverley, in 1837. It was the first Catholic orphanage in Australia. It was opened in response to community concerns about Catholic children being placed in the government-run Protestant orphan schools, where they were raised as Protestants, not Catholics. The home was run by the Catholic archdiocese of Sydney, but received financial support from the State Government. The Home had capacity for approximately 100 children. It took in both girls and boys, housing them in separate 'schools'. The children were taught reading, writing, and arithmatic, and were sent to apprenticeships once old enough. The Home closed in 1844.
Read more
Less
In December 1840 it was reported in the Australasian Chronicle that a dinner had been held for the children at the Orphan School, funded by a local benefactor. The children ate roast beef, mutton, vegetables, and plum pudding. The benefactor requested that the dinner be an annual event for the children, held at her expense.
In November 1841 the Roman Catholic Orphan School was struck by lightning during a large storm, which resulted in the deaths of three children at the Home, and many others being knocked to the ground but not receiving significant injuries. The Home itself was also damaged during the storm.
In 1844, following the opening of the Roman Catholic Orphan School at Parramatta, the school at Waverley closed, and all 114 children in residence were transferred to the Parramatta Home.
Locations
- 1837 - 1844
- Address - The Roman Catholic Orphan School was located at Waverley House, on the corner of Waverley Crescent and South Head Road, Waverley (now Bondi)
We do not currently have any records linked to this entry. If you know of any additional records, please contact us.
The Find & Connect Support Service can help people who lived in orphanages and children's institutions look for their records.
Waverley House
