McAuley Catholic College is situated on Hennessy Drive, Clarenza, on the outskirts of Grafton in northern New South Wales. It is a co-educational secondary school conducted by the Clarence Valley Parish within the Diocese of Lismore. The College was formed in 1990 with the amalgamation of three local Catholic schools – Holy Spirit College, St Aloysius College and St Mary’s College. The College’s ethos has been derived from the traditions of two great Religious Orders: the Sisters of Mercy and the Marist Brothers. Since the late 1800s, the Sisters of Mercy have been involved in Catholic Education in Grafton and continue to have a significant presence and mission in the local community.
The original campus of the College was situated on the banks of the Clarence River in central Grafton. Early in 2004, the re-location of the College to its new campus at Clarenza on the outskirts of Grafton occurred and now comprises excellent facilities catering for all subject areas including Technology and Applied Studies, Science, Performing and Visual Arts. There is a fully-equipped Library and sporting facilities, including a Hall and Gym.
The Diocese of Lismore stretches along the coastal strip of New South Wales from Tweed Heads in the north to Laurieton in the south and west to the foothills of the Great Dividing Range.The Catholic Schools Office provides a range of services to support approximately 2,500 staff in 46 vibrant and dynamic school communities that serve more than 18,500 students