History
Samaritan College was established in 2008 through the amalgamation of Saint Teresa's School, Our Lady Help of Christians School and Saint John's College in Whyalla. We value our traditions and the many Whyalla families who have contributed significantly to the Catholic education story for over 70 years.
In March 2007, following community consultation, Bishop Hurley announced that the new Reception to Year 12 College would take its name from the Gospel Samaritan stories and would be called Samaritan College.
In 2012 Samaritan College acknowledged it's first 5 years; plus 50 years of Saint John's tradition and 70 years of Catholic education in Whyalla, by gathering together for a weekend of reunion celebrations. The history of each of the founding schools is briefly captured in the images displayed.
In 2017, Year 7 was moved from the primary campuses to the secondary campus of Saint John's.
Our Lady Help of Christians School
Our Lady Help of Christians School (R-6) was founded by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan in February 1966 and commenced with an enrolment of 94 students. Located in Toal Street, Whyalla Stuart, Our Lady Help of Christians has been offering a quality Catholic education to the families of Whyalla for more than four decades.
Saint Teresa's School
Saint Teresa’s School (R-6) was established in January 1942 by the Catholic community of Saint Teresa’s Parish by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan at the invitation of Bishop McCabe, Catholic Diocese of Port Pirie, with an enrolment of 99 students. Located in Darling Terrace, St Teresa’s School has been offering a quality education in the Catholic tradition from Reception to Year 6 to the families of Whyalla from more than three generations.
Saint John's College
Saint John’s College (7-12) was established by the Catholic community of Whyalla and opened as a boys’ school in February 1963, conducted by the Christian Brothers. It became a co-educational school in partnership with the Sisters of the Good Samaritan when it amalgamated with St Francis Xavier Girls’ School in 1975. Saint John’s College has been offering a quality comprehensive co-educational secondary education in the Catholic tradition from Year 7 to Year 12.
Saint Francis Xavier School
Saint Francis Xavier church and school was built to provide primary education for reception to year 4 students which would reduce the overcrowding of primary students at St Teresa's school. In 1963 the boys were accommodated with the establishment of Saint John's College from Year 6 to secondary level. Even though these new schools meant more students could be provided with Catholic education, the demand was still great. With the opening up of huge subdivisions in the west of Whyalla the need for a church and school became apparent. Our Lady Help of Christians was opened in 1966 allowing the primary students of St Francis to be closer to their residence. An opportunity then arose for St Francis Xavier to be turned into a girls' secondary facility. The girls no longer had to trek between the Lutheran hall and the many little rooms used to provide for the diversity of secondary subjects at St Teresa's school.
