Clairvaux MacKillop College

Nestled in the south side of Brisbane, in Upper Mount Gravatt, stands Clairvaux MacKillop College. It’s a place where over 1300 students learn and grow, a vibrant hub of education and community. Clairvaux MacKillop College wasn’t always as you see it today. Its story began in 1986, born from the union of two separate schools: Clairvaux College and MacKillop Catholic College. Clairvaux College, an all-boys school founded in 1966 by the Christian Brothers, was led by Brother Surawski. In 1971, St Joseph’s College, an all-girls school, relocated from Holland Park to a site adjacent to Clairvaux College. It was renamed Mackillop College under the leadership of Sister Margaret Mary Campbell. These two institutions coexisted, occasionally sharing classes, teachers, and sports facilities, until 1984. The decision to merge them resulted in the fully integrated Clairvaux MacKillop College in 1988. Today, Clairvaux MacKillop College thrives with a diverse student body. The students are divided into six houses: Aspinall, Campbell, Chisholm, MacKillop, Rice, and Surawski. Each house is named after significant figures in the school’s history. For instance, the Campbell house honors Sister Margaret Mary Campbell, the first principal of Mackillop College. These houses participate in fundraising, inter-house sports competitions, and unite for inter-school events. The college boasts notable alumni who have made their mark in various fields. Among them are Jim Chalmers, the Treasurer of Australia, and several accomplished rugby league players like Mark and Peter Coyne, Darren Smith, and Jason Smith. Darren Smith even returned to Clairvaux MacKillop College after his rugby career to become a career pathways teacher. The college continues to nurture young minds, fostering a spirit of community and achievement in the heart of Brisbane.