Our History
This is where it all began
From a trailblazer in women’s education to a dual campus leader in inclusive excellence. Founded in 1928 at the University of Western Australia to give women greater access to higher education, St Catherine’s College has always stood for opportunity and progress. The College is proudly non-denominational, with a values-led culture that brings together students from diverse backgrounds to excel.
St Catherine’s welcomed male residents in 2012, embracing a coeducational model that reflects a commitment to equity and diversity. In 2022, the College expanded to Curtin University, becoming the only independent residential college in Australia to operate across two universities.
Today, St Catherine’s is more than a residential College. It is a launchpad for 800 high-achieving local and international students. As an academically selective environment, it provides students with the structure, networks and resources to thrive at university and beyond.
Our crest tells a story
The black swan symbolises our identity as a Western Australian College, while the books represent lifelong learning.
Blank pages invite residents to leave their mark, to seek with courage, explore with curiosity and grow through change. Banksia menziesii reflects our shared commitment to a sustainable future.
Our motto
We embrace the motto “To Truth Aspire” adopted in 1959 from a poem by British Poet Laureate Robert Bridges:
Youth whose hope is high,
Who dost to Truth aspire,
Whether thou live or die,
Look not back nor tire.
These words call us to seek knowledge without fear.
Our values guide us
Our values shape a bold, caring community that leads with integrity and makes a lasting difference. They guide how we live, learn and support one another, reflecting our shared commitment to academic excellence, personal growth and social responsibility.
Discover our four core values below and learn how they inspire life at St Catherine’s.
Excellence We celebrate excellence in our achievements and believe in putting in the effort, focus, and attention to detail in every aspect of our lives.
Courage We foster honesty and fairness in everything we do, and residents come to expect that they can try their hand at anything in a safe and nurturing environment.
Diversity We are proud to be home to residents from 30 different nations, and diversity is actively encouraged and celebrated.
Leadership Providing leadership opportunities to residents is an integral part of life at the College. The roles are numerous and aimed at different years of study.