of improving quality of life was always at the centre of the Sisters' activities, so that schools as far apart as Australia and North America bear the name of Catherine McAuley. Dr Cullen was sent to Ireland in 1849, Direct by the Pope, 4 years into the great famine -solely to bring the existing Irish Catholic Church into conformity with Roman Catholic canon law and usage, following the emancipation of Catholics. He expanded the Roman Catholic clergy, Roman Catholic doctrine and its role in Ireland within education and welfare, with the Industrial and reformatory school system which also developed into Magdalene laundries and mother and baby home institutions. The sisters of Mercy founded and ran 25 of the 34 girls industrial schools. The same systems were recreated by the Cullenites in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa – Also colonised countries of the British Empire. They arrived in Doncaster in 1887 as part of their Mission to work with the poor as Doncaster was a very poor mining town. The school's former houses represented the patron Saints of the United Kingdom: St George, St Patrick, St David and St Andrew. In September 2013 four houses named Red, Orange, Purple and Yellow were introduced to the school. Also the colours have been assigned name's. Green house is 'Peter'. Yellow house is 'Catherine'. Orange house is 'Francis'. Red House is 'romero' The convent In Doncaster, a convent of the Sisters of Mercy was established in 1887, and the original Catholic school was founded. After decades of work in the area, The Convent Collegiate School on Rutland street closed (it now Hill House St Mary's Preparatory School) and the sisters had a vision for Catholic education in Doncaster which led to their sacrificial investment in the land and buildings that now house the Upper School and the Convent of Mercy on Warning Tongue Lane. The new 1970 school was named after Catherine McAuley. Notable former pupils Michael Dugher – Born 1975 (Former MP – Barnsley East) Johnny Shentall – Born 1978 (Singer – Hear'Say) Andrew Gosden – Born 1993; disappeared in London in September 2007. Mason Holgate – Born 1996 Footballer for Everton Adam Stafford – Born 1982 Doctor during Coronavirus Pandemic References External links The McAuley School site Hallam Diocese OFSTED page for McAuley Catholic secondary schools in the Diocese of Hallam Educational institutions established in 1981 Sisters of