Our History

St Therese’s School is an integral part of the Cairns Diocese and the Edmonton Parish. Located just 20 minutes south of Cairns City, St Therese’s provides a Catholic primary education to an area that is currently referred to as the ‘growth corridor’ of Cairns. It is currently four streams and will reach full capacity in the coming few years.

The first Catholic school in Edmonton, Edmonton Convent School, was established by the Sisters of Mercy on 29 April 1929, with an enrolment of 30 students. Since those early days, the school has undergone many changes in its history and was renamed in 1965 to St Therese’s School.

In 1995, the school was relocated to its current position in Bentley Park where it has continued to grow to meet the growing enrolment numbers that have resulted from the development of residential areas south of the city. Today, it has an enrolment of over 600 students, Prep to Year 6. The school is proud of its rich historical story and indeed the facilities available to students in enabling a holistic and quality educational learning environment. In 2011 the school master plan was completed, following $5.5 million in combined capital projects undertaken as part of the Federal Government’s Building the Education Revolution program and planned facilities expansion.

Today, St Therese’s School has a welcoming feel to it and a group of highly dedicated and motivated parents and carers who genuinely assist with the provision of the best educational environment possible for their children, through their hard work and commitment. St Therese’s is also fortunate to be staffed by a strong group of dedicated teachers and school officers who continue the mission of Catholic Education begun so many years ago. It is a school which openly reflects, through its practices, the philosophy and values of its foundational partners who have, over the years, helped shape our school community – the Sisters of Mercy and the priests of the Cairns Diocese.

It’s with strong beginnings and the path of history that our school stands tall today with a sense of pride and tradition.

Mercy Tradition

St Therese’s School’s tradition stems from the charisms of the Sisters of Mercy and their founder, Catherine McAuley. Catherine’s vision was to empower persons, especially poor young women and children, to improve their human situation through education and so have the opportunity to realise their potential. According to Catherine’s vision, education is an essential ingredient in the betterment of both individuals and society.

Through her abiding respect, love, and concern for the needy, Catherine demonstrated her commitment to the social justice dimensions of the Christian educational vision. For Catherine, loving the poor meant empowering them, especially through education, to become architects of their own future.

To learn more about the Sisters of Mercy and their continuing mission to realise the vision of Catherine McAuley, visit their website at www.mercy.org.au.

Today St Therese’s School strives to be a faith and learning community which celebrates God’s presence through our Mercy tradition, excellence in teaching and learning, and a strong partnership between family, staff and parish.

Our Patron Saint – Saint Therese of Lisieux

Therese was born in Alencon, Normandy, on January 2, 1873. The youngest of nine siblings, her parents were Louis and Zelie Martin, Louis was skilled in crafting jewelery and watches, while Zelie excelled in lace-making. Tragically, Zelie passed away when Therese was just four years old. Despite this loss, Therese found comfort in her older sister Pauline, who, along with their doting father, affectionately referred to Therese as his ‘little Queen’.

At the tender age of 8 ½, Therese’s life took a turn when her beloved sister Pauline joined the Carmelite order. Inspired by Pauline’s dedication, Therese felt a similar calling. She entered the convent at 15, seeking a closer connection with God as a Carmelite religious. Her life was marked by simplicity and a desire to find holiness in everyday moments, believing that a heart filled with love is the greatest offering to God. Saint Therese passed away at the age of 24 on September 30, 1897, and was canonized on May 17, 1925.

Therese’s deep faith in God permeated every aspect of her life. She frequently wrote about God’s love and her own compassion for others, emphasising the importance of love over grand gestures. Known for her practical approach to spirituality, she remains one of the most beloved Catholic saints. She cherished nature, particularly flowers, and affectionately called herself “the little flower of Jesus”. This fondness for flowers is symbolised in art work produced by our students throughout the year.

Saint Therese’s example, rooted in love and care for others, continue to inspire us today. Our school motto, “Through the work of many, great things are done,” reflects this commitment to embodying Therese’s spirit of love. We strive to emulate her example by sharing God’s love in our relationships and through acts of kindness, no matter how small.

As we celebrate her feast day on October 1st, we are inspired to follow her example by doing little things with great love and helping others encounter God’s love in all we do.

The Story Behind Our Sport Houses

Our values, history, classroom names and sporting houses are all connected.