Did you know that St Patrick’s Marist College started as a primary school for boys? It all began in 1872 at Harrington Street in The Rocks. This makes St Patrick’s Marist College the oldest school in Australia under the Marist Brothers. It also marks it as Australia’s first Marist school.
Now, here we are in Dundas, a suburb of Sydney. The college made the move here in 1962. Before that, it was located at Harrington Street. The move ensured a continued connection with the original school. Many students also came to Dundas from Harrington Street.
Brother Thomas More Davidson was the founding Principal here. He faced challenges setting up the new school. Despite bad weather delaying construction, classes began in 1962. 110 boys in Years 4, 5, and 6 started in the top floor rooms. Builders finished the ground floor later.
In 1965, the school became a Demonstration Secondary School. It was named St Patrick’s Marist Brothers’ Demonstration School. The secondary school officially opened in 1966. It catered for males in Years 7 to 10. The primary school continued until 1985.
1985 was another historic year for St Patrick’s Marist. The first Year 11 students enrolled and coeducation began in the senior school. This successful transition resulted from the vision of several Principals. These were Brother John O’Brien, Brother William Selden, and Brother Ronald Blyth. They guided St Patrick’s through years of change. They responded to the needs of the Catholic communities of Dundas and nearby parishes.
The school was renamed St Patrick’s Marist College in 1992. Brother Michael Procajlo made this change when the first co-educational group enrolled in Year 7. Today, St Patrick’s Marist College has about 1,000 students. They range from Year 7 to Year 12.
The college is located on the corner of Kirby Street and Kissing Point Road. Its main entrance is on Kirby Street. The Harrington Courtyard sits at the center of the college. This courtyard honors the original location in The Rocks.
St Patrick’s Marist College has three main ovals. It also features two basketball or netball courts. These are located to the north of the IT wing. There is also a covered Senior Yard area. Here, students from Years 11 and 12 can sit during breaks. A new information technology wing was added. The La Valla Centre, a new multi-purpose center, was built near the basketball courts. In 2020, the original building was demolished. This made way for a new 3-story building. It has state-of-the-art classrooms and learning spaces. A new library was also constructed that year.
St Patrick’s Marist College offers many extracurricular activities. These include representative sport, debating, and public speaking. Students can participate in college musicals and chess tournaments. The college also runs First Aid courses.
St Patrick’s Marist College has a sister school. It is the Marist Nursery and Primary School in Viyalanmedu, Trichy. Each year, students organize a walkathon. This raises money for the sister school. The college funded the construction of the preschool. Students visit the school every year to serve the community. They also immerse themselves in the local culture.
Students at St Patrick’s Marist College are divided into six homeroom groups. These groups are named after important figures. They are Chavoin, Edwin, Ludovic, Mackillop, Paul, and Xavier.
The college has a history of great performance in the HSC. It commonly ranks within the top schools in NSW. St Patrick’s Marist College also has a High Support Needs Centre called ‘Wiyanga’. It offers students with high support needs an alternate platform for learning. College students visit the students every day during breaks. They talk and have fun together.
So, as you can see, St Patrick’s Marist College has a rich history. It has evolved from a small primary school. Today, it is a leading co-educational secondary school. St Patrick’s Marist College continues to provide a comprehensive education. It fosters a strong sense of community.