Marist College Canberra
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Marist College Canberra | |
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Servo Fidem - I Keep the Faith | |
Established | 1968 |
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School type | Catholic School |
Grades | years 4 - 12 |
Headmaster | Richard Sidorko |
Location | Marr St, Pearce Australia, ACT, Australia |
Colours | Sky & Royal Blue |
Website | http://www.maristc.act.edu.au/ |
Marist College Canberra is a Catholic school in the Marist tradition.
Like all Marist schools, they place strong emphasis on family, the first educators of the child. When a boy enrols at Marist, the entire family signs up; parents are urged to become part of our endeavour to promote his moral, intellectual, spiritual, emotional and physical growth.
Every boy at the College is treated as an individual and given the opportunity to excel at whatever level he is comfortable.
The College provides many opportunities for boys to develop physically and emotionally in line with their intellectual and moral growth. There is a long standing commitment to organised sport, to outdoor education and to an array of cultural pursuits. Every student is encouraged to avail themselves of as many of these opportunities as their time will allow and we welcome families as part of these endeavours also.
The Founder of the Marist Brothers said that he wanted his schools to produce good Christians and good citizens. Marist College Canberra is proud to be part of such a noble endeavour.
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[edit] Background
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.
[edit] Houses
[edit] Curriculum
As a school within the Australian Capital Territory, Marist College goes through a process of registration every five years. This procedure, carried out by a panel of experts on behalf of the ACT Department of Education, is mainly concerned with curriculum, although it also considers plant and physical resources. At its most recent registration, the panel concluded its report as follows: "Boys who attend this school will receive excellent care and an excellent education. "
Curriculum at Marist seeks to maintain a balance between religious and moral education, scholarship, sport and physical pursuits, and creative and practical activities. The College places strong emphasis on a broad, general education, which has sequential study in all the core areas of learning. It also aims to engage each student at the level of his learning readiness.
[edit] Co-Curricular
Sports
Participation in sporting activities, particularly team games, is an important part of the life of every student at Marist. Students are provided with numerous sports to represent the College in.
- Cricket
- Rugby
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Australian Rules Football
- Hockey
- Swimming
- Track and Field
- Gymnastics
- Volleyball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Judo
- Sailing
- Snow Sports - skiing and snowboarding
Groups, Clubs and Societies
Extensive opportunities exist for students to become involved in the many groups that function within the College, sponsored by members of staff and by students. Some of the major groups include:
- The College band, College orchestra, and various instrumental and vocal ensembles
- The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
- Musicals and other stage productions
- Toastmasters
- Debating
- The St Vincent de Paul Society
- Amnesty International
- Marist Justice and Solidarity
- The Science Club
- The Computing Club
- The Chess Club
- Community Service
- Marist Miniatures
- The Photography Club
[edit] Notable Alumni
- Craig Bolton (Sydney Swans player)
- Geoff Didier (Australian Wallabies representative)
- Rob Egerton (Former Wallabies representative)
- Tetera Faulkner (Australian schoolboys rugby player)
- Chris Harkins (Australian Schoolboys rugby player)
- Paul McDermott (Host of Strictly Dancing)
- James Meiklejohn (Delisted player for Sydney Swans)
- Matt O'Connor (forer Wallabies representative)
- Joe Roff (Retired ACT Brumbies and Wallabies representative)
- Julian Salvi (Rising Brumbies player)
- Simon Tripovich (National level cyclist)
- Simon Thompson (Triathlete Runner)