Originally known simply as Aranmore, the College was opened in 1903 by the Sisters of Mercy. The convent was opened on 21 November 1933 under the first parish priest, Monsignor John Moloney. The Christian Brothers opened a boys' school nearby in 1942. St Mary's College for girls was opened in 1954; and the colleges' year 11 and 12 classes merged in 1971 and became co-educational. In 1976, St Mary's Primary School moved away from the Leederville site, and became a separate entity in 1988. In 1986, Both colleges amalgamated to form Aranmore Catholic College.
Curriculum
Aranmore provides students with a choice of career pathways, usually through the OnSite program. The program provides work experience for senior students and allows them to explore the vast world of employment one day per week. The OnSite program was implemented along with six other independent colleges in 1993. The college also provides a number of international students with support in English through the IEC. A particular pride of the Aranmore community is their extensively tried and tested netball and rugby programs available to selected students, with yearly tours to the East Coast. See the "Notable Past Students" section for successful players.
Demographics
Aranmore educates approximately 700 students and staff who come from a variety of cultural backgrounds, including local students and those from Asia, the Middle East, South America and more recently from Africa, in particular Sudan. It hosts a number of international students who are part of the IEC. The College began taking in Year 7 students as of 2011, to join the previous Year 8 to 12 demographic.
Location
Located just up from the Oxford St strip, Aranmore boasts a sizable campus, nestled within the residential area. With a roofed hall, a new classroom building for the middle school, library, canteen and separate science labs and music room, it is a wonder the art rooms, vast oval and old senior classrooms fit on the hilly Franklin St campus. A new gym on the Oxford St streetside of the College, over the old Foley House building site has been built It includes a full sized multiuse court, Health and Physical Education offices, classrooms, extensive weights room, storage rooms, kitchen and a large stage area with green rooms. Below on the Oxford Street level there are further classrooms for dance and drama along with significant storage areas for props and costumes. During 2017 the St Mary's building is undergoing a significant refit. Classrooms and staff offices in this building will be ready for the 2018 school year. It is proposed to refit the Mann building next.
