DEA

We are proud to be part of Dominican Education Australia (DEA), a community of six Dominican schools across the country entrusted with carrying forward the mission and legacy of the Dominican Sisters.

Ongoing Stewardship

Established in 2015 at the request of the Dominican Sisters of North Adelaide, the Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia and the Holy Cross Congregation of Dominican Sisters in Adelaide, DEA was created to ensure the ongoing stewardship of Dominican education in Australia. As a Public Juridic Person of Pontifical Right, DEA holds responsibility for both the civil and canonical governance of its schools.

DEA Learning Communities

DEA was officially launched in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne in 2016 and today supports and governs six vibrant learning communities:

• St Mary’s College, Adelaide – founded in 1869
• St Dominic’s Priory College, North Adelaide – founded in 1884
• Cabra Dominican College, Cumberland Park, Adelaide – founded in 1886
• Santa Sabina College, Strathfield – founded in 1894
• St Lucy’s School, Wahroonga – founded in 1938, a K–8 school for students with disabilities, with an additional satellite school on the Santa Sabina College campus at Strathfield
• Siena College, Camberwell, Melbourne – founded in 1940.

Guided by Faith, Committed to Excellence

The Trustees of DEA work in close partnership with each school’s Board to uphold the Catholic identity of the colleges, foster excellence in teaching and learning, support ongoing formation and ensure financial and governance sustainability. The founding Congregational Leaders remain involved as Sponsors of DEA, providing spiritual and strategic oversight.

At the heart of DEA is a deep gratitude for the Dominican Sisters – women of vision, courage and constant resolve. Their pioneering work in Catholic education continues to guide our purpose. With great foresight, the Sisters entrusted this mission to lay leadership so that the spirit and charism of St Dominic would continue to flourish for generations to come.

As Dominican schools, we are committed to a way of life grounded in truth, compassion, justice and community. We encourage critical thinking, value beauty and creativity and place prayer and reflection at the centre of all we do. Together, the DEA schools proudly carry forward the Dominican tradition, helping to shape the future of Catholic education in Australia.