 Although the Sisters of St. Joseph operated eight primary schools in the Diocese of Port Augusta, it was without a Catholic high school — boarding or otherwise. Accordingly, while he was staying in Sydney for his consecration, O 'Reily sought to establish a convent for the Sydney-based Sisters of the Good Samaritan in Port Pirie. At the bishop's expense, the order's Mother-General spent two months in Port Pirie, and once she had found appropriate living quarters, a school was established, teaching over 100 students. A convent for the sisters was completed in 1890 on the same block as the school.
