St Jerome’s Primary School
has been a part of the City of Cockburn since 1935.
Since 1935, generations of children and families have been part of the remarkable story of St Jerome's Catholic Primary School.
Our story began with the
dedication and vision of
the Sisters of St Joseph
of the Apparition, whose
commitment to Catholic
education established
the foundations of the
school we know today.
From humble beginnings
in the original St Jerome's
Church to a thriving
school community,
our history reflects
generations of faith,
service, perseverance
and a shared commitment
to the education
of children.
Our Journey Through the Years
The Beginning of St Jerome's
St Jerome's Primary School was founded by Sisters from the Congregation of St Joseph of the Apparition. The school began inside the original St Jerome's Church, located on the corner of Edeline Street and Rockingham Road in Spearwood.
A New Home for a Growing School
Over two years, St Jerome's relocated to its present site at the corner of Troode Street and Rockingham Road, Lake Coogee. This important milestone created new opportunities for the school to grow and develop.
Expanding to Meet the Needs of Families
A second stream commenced in 1990, followed by the opening of another Pre-Primary class in 1991. These developments contributed to the school's growth into a three-stream primary school.
Honouring Our Past, Embracing Our Future
St Jerome's continues to serve approximately 600 students from 3-Year-Old Kindergarten through to Year 6. While our Catholic foundations remain strong, we continue to evolve our teaching, learning and school improvement practices to meet the needs of today's children.
Celebrating 90 Years of Catholic Education
In 2025, St Jerome's
proudly celebrated
90 years of service
to the children and
families of Spearwood
and surrounding communities.
This significant milestone
honoured the religious
sisters, school leaders,
teachers, families
and students who have
shaped our school
across generations.
It was a celebration
of our rich heritage
and the enduring
strength of our
Catholic community.
The People Who Have Led Our School
Throughout our history, St Jerome's has been blessed with dedicated leaders who have contributed to its identity, development and mission. We gratefully acknowledge their service and the lasting contribution each has made to our school community.
Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition
Sr Dorothea Smith
1935–1940
Sr Canisius Mladinich
1941–1955
Sr Marie Louise Barbara
1956
Sr Rose Duckett
1957–1966
Sr Alma Carey
1967–1968
Sr Finbar Malone
1969–1971
Sr Margaret Anne Beech
1972–1974
Catholic Education School Principals
Mr Eric Chidlow
1975–1986
Mrs Patsy Runge
1987–1994
Mr Martin Loney
1995–2000
Mr Tim Emery
2001–2011
Mrs Helen O'Toole
2012–2020
Mr Chris Cully
2021–Present
Proud of Our Past.
Inspired by Our Future.
As we honour the people
and traditions that have
shaped St Jerome's,
we continue our commitment
to providing an outstanding
Catholic education for
the generations to come.
Knowledge. Wisdom. Courage.