Gilroy Catholic College was founded in 1980 with 12 staff members and 137 students enrolled in Year 7. The college was founded on the back of strong parish and local support for a Catholic co-educational secondary school. The college was built on the land formerly belonging to St Gabriel's School for the Hearing Impaired, thus making use of existing buildings. The school was originally intended for students from Year 7 to Year 10. However, in 1982 it was decided that Gilroy would also include students from Year 11 and Year 12.