Essay: Analyze the contribution of Christianity to education in Australia pre 1945

Christianity had a profound influence on early Australian society in relation to education, and has immensely
contributed on a national scale of education towards society pre 1945. This is most prominent in the
establishment and development of religiously affiliated schools. Through, the enactment of The School Estate
Corporation charter 1825 provided the Anglican Church with 1/7 of all colonial land grants . Education was a
critical issue for all religious denomination in specific Catholics as many of whom belonged to the lower class
citizens and hence were financial disadvantaged, in aid governor Thomas Brisbane broke the church of
Englands monopoly by extending subsides after a rebuke from the colonial office to all denominations in
progression of knowledge. In amendment education was seen as the avenue of success and maintenance of
catholic orthodoxy in the face of sectarian rivalry.

The influence of Christianity on education is mirrored with the establishment of religious joined schools in an
effort to diminish the barbarous ignorance caused by denominational division. Colonists were concerned to
leave such sectarian division behind and believed that ties between church and education should be valued and
supported by adherents. To validate, Father Terry one of the first catholic priests in Australia, worked during
1820s in effort to obtain catholic religious instruction in government institutions. However, his plan were
dissatisfied by active Protestants who wanted Australia to be a non-Catholic state. In combat, the vison of
Father Terry was long seize as he succeed in the establishment two catholic schools, one in Parramatta in 1821
and another in Sydney in 1822. Therry continued to work for official standing for Catholic institutions and
government funding, and he challenged the government for paying money to support Church of England
schools and churches. Through, these campaigns he obtained granting of financial aid to the wider religious
community groups as well as the Church of England. In biter despair the fundings were uplifted in 1863 as the
government proposed to develop a fully secular system of education which was non-religious. Despite, the
discovery of Catholics that other religious groups, especially the church of England supported the campaign to
have religious schools. Upon implementation the Churches were rendered of funds and education became a vital
issue for Catholics. Secularists pushing for state schools were very successful. Laws for free and secular
education were passed by the states. This left no state money for religious schools, which were left to fend for
themselves. This defeat galvanised Catholics around Australia and bishops regularly moved in and out of
Europe employing nothing but hard work and determination into seeking Catholic teachers. Catholics
everywhere struggled to establish and support existing schools as they were antagonized by the government but
not extending subsides. However, despite having insufficient funds catholic education offices were established
to oversee the general administration of schools and orders of brothers, nuns and lay teachers dedicated
themselves to teaching. This ultimately highlights the potent cultural religious influences of Catholics towards
erecting religious institutions in Australia pre 1945.

The influences and contribution of Christianity on education is highly conspicuous as the enactment of the
schools estates corporation charter 1825. It provisions allowed one seventh of all colonial land grants were to be
reserved and distributed to the church of England to build schools and churches. The implementation of this act
posed as an avenue for churches to manifest their religious ethics and morals amongst the younger generation as
well teach them secular studies to enhance morality in society as well educate them so that they dwell amongst
excellence. Many religious figures saw this as on opportunity to invest their efforts, in the return to enhance the
enlightenment of Christian education, Mary Mackillop sister of Joseph, who between 1866 and 1871 established
35 schools in Adelaide with a special mission for the poor. Archbishop Bede Polding in 1836 had also
established with government financial grants and equity of his very own established the famous Bede Polding
College in Windsor New South Wales. To compliment, strict religious rulings and high emphasis on ambition
and self-initiative of learning the college today is ranked amongst the highest in Sydney educating co boys and
girls the path to success.