Our College

History

The particular Marist flavour and character spring from the Founder of Marist education and of the Marist Brothers, Saint Marcellin Champagnat, who began his work last century in France.

The origins of Marist College Canberra are to be found at the Rocks in Sydney. There in 1875, only three years after the foundation of the first Marist school in Australia, the Brothers began a Select School or High School with Brother Augustine McDonald as its first Principal. Such a school was quite an innovation for those days, when having even primary schooling made one well educated.

In 1887 the secondary school transferred to the eastern side of St Mary's Cathedral, since this was a more central location and provided more space. By 1910 however, the school premises were run down and this fact and other difficulties led the Brothers to construct new buildings on the heights of Darlinghurst, and "The High School" as it was commonly known, transferred there.

Both at the Cathedral and at Darlinghurst the school flourished. Its students often gained brilliant results in the public examinations and its Old Boys were distinguished in many walks of life. By the 1960s however, demographics threatened the future of the school at Darlinghurst, while at the same time the National Capital was burgeoning and in need of Catholic schools.

So the decision was taken to sell the property and to use the proceeds to transfer the school to Canberra.

Marist Canberra began in 1968 with primary classes. By 1973 the main secondary building and gymnasium had been completed and the first Marist senior class to complete the full secondary course at the College graduated in 1975. Since that time, Marist Canberra has grown to be one of the largest schools in the ACT. But not only is it large - it is also one of the most highly regarded and sought after.

With a history of over 120 years, and a local history of over 35 years, Marist College continues to maintain good things from the past, while ever anxious to embrace the new and contemporary.

Marist enjoys strong support from its parent body and this support has enabled it to keep abreast of educational developments.

For the first century or so of its existence, most of the teachers were Brothers. These days, while there is still the presence of a few Brothers, the teaching and care of the students is mostly carried out by dedicated lay people who identify with the educational charism of Marcellin Champagnat and wish to see it preserved and enhanced.