Catholic education in Singleton is believed to have begun in 1845 under the guidance of lay teachers Miss Rigney, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Coghlan.
From 1875 to 1974, the Sisters of Mercy were instrumental in developing many of the traditions and buildings now associated with St Catherine’s College, St Francis Xavier’s Primary School, and the Catholic Junior School (later becoming St Francis Xavier’s Primary School and St Francis Xavier’s Infants School).
The first of the current buildings at St Catherine’s College was officially opened in 1910. St Francis Xavier’s Primary School operated from its Cambridge Street location from 1868 until 2000, and in 1972, the Singleton Catholic Junior School relocated from Bathurst Street to Patrick Street. From 1975 to 2002, St Catherine’s College was operated by the Maitland/Newcastle Diocese, which leased the buildings and grounds from the Sisters of Mercy.
In 1987, Mr. Ken Rodwell became the first lay principal of St Catherine’s, followed by Mr. Roger Whitney as the first lay principal of St Francis Xavier’s Primary School in 1993.
In 2000, after extensive consultation and planning with the school and parish community, the decision was made to merge the three separate schools into one Kindergarten to Year 12 college—the first of its kind in the diocese.
St Francis Xavier’s Primary School was closed, with Years 3 and 4 moving to the Junior School site and Years 5 and 6 relocating to the high school site. By 2012, the K-12 model was fully realized, with all students and staff united on a single campus.
The name "St Catherine’s Catholic College" was selected by the community, and a new vision statement, crest, motto, school colours, uniform, and house system were established.
In 2002, the site was purchased from the Sisters of Mercy. With the support of three Commonwealth grants, funding from the Diocesan Building Levy Programme, and contributions from St Patrick’s Parish, a major building programme for new facilities was launched.
The new buildings, completed to date, include an administration block, canteen, science labs, computer labs, music room, primary and secondary libraries, and classrooms for Design and Technology, Visual Arts, Food Technology, and Primary education.
Today, St Catherine’s Catholic College provides a unique and continuous educational experience from Kindergarten to Year 12, allowing students to complete their primary and secondary education on one campus.