| Parramatta Marist High School | |
|---|---|
| Parramatta Marist Emblem
"Fortior Ito"
Go Forth With Strength
|
|
| Location | |
| Westmead Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
|
| Information | |
| Patron saint(s) | Saint Marcellin Champagnat |
| Founded | 1820 |
| Principal | Br. Patrick Howlett (2002-present) |
| Asst. Principal | Shane Morris, Peter Stephens |
| Years Offered | 7-12 |
| Gender | Boys |
| Pupils | Approx. 1000 |
| Classes | 34 homerooms (6 for years 7-10, 5 for years 11-12) |
| Average class size | 30 |
| Campus type | Suburban |
| Houses | Alman, St. Vincent's, Campion and Harroway |
| Colour(s) | Green and Gold |
| Nickname | PMHS or Marist |
| Website | www.parramarist.nsw.edu.au |
Parramatta Marist High School is the oldest Catholic school in Australia.
Parramatta Marist began as a school established by Father John Therry in 1820, under the direction of Mr George Morley. The school was transferred to the site of the present Cathedral in 1837 and entrusted to the care of the Marist Brothers in 1875. This makes Parramatta Marist the oldest Catholic school in Australia.
The school was entrusted to the care of the Marist Brothers in 1875, thus becoming Parramatta Marist High. In the 1960s a decision was made to move the secondary classes to a site in Westmead and leave only the primary classes at the Parramatta site. The Westmead campus was opened in 1966. In 2008, Parramatta Marist High introduced Project Based Learning into Year 9 to cater for a new technology-rich modern learning environment. Classrooms were redesigned to cater for this technology rich environment. This ensured that each student in year 9 had access to individual computers. The school has since also implemented new strategies such as 151 (One Five One), as of 2010 and 1222 (Twelve Twenty-Two), as of 2011. [1]
Contents |
The 1880s were important years for Marist. In 1888, a new monastery was built next to the school and in 1889 a new headmaster, a Frenchman by the name of Brother Claudius, took over the school. During this time enrolments increased to over 250, the first senior classes were presented for public examinations with notable success, facilities were expanded, extra classes were organised at night and on weekends, and competitive sports were promoted vigorously with next-door neighbours The King’s School being the chief opponents in cricket, rugby and athletics. The school began to flourish. Developments in the new century. In 1918, the original stone building was demolished and replaced with the building that housed the junior school until 1994. During the 1920s and 1930s numbers continued to grow, placing more pressure on classroom accommodation. The 1940s and 1950s saw the growth and consolidation of the secondary school and a fine record of scholastic and sporting success. Despite the new erection of a new wing in 1956, the school in the early 1960s was at breaking point. Enrolment was over 1000, with classes having to be taught in the Parish Hall, which had been sub-divided, on verandas, at St Vincent Boy’s Home, and even under an oak tree in the school grounds. The decision was taken to move the secondary classes to Westmead and leave only the primary classes at the Parramatta site. [2]
In 1966 the first stage of the buildings on the new Westmead campus was opened, and most classes transferred. Further buildings were completed: the Monastery in 1968, the Swimming Pool in 1968, the Library in 1971, the Senior Block in 1973, and Arts and Techniques Centre in 1982, the Administration Block in 1984. Meanwhile the fields and grounds were developed. In 1993 the Morley Centre was opened as a new multi-purpose facility, the new Science Building was opened in 2001. 2003 the library was refurbished and named the Br Ludovic Learning Centre, a new healthy Canteen was built in 2004, in 2006 an eLearning Centre was created on the lower floor of the building and in 2007 the Science laboratories, TAS and Creative Arts areas were updated and a 172 seat theatrette was built on the site of the old canteen. [3]
In 2008 the school introduced Project Based Learning into Year 9. Classrooms were redesigned to cater for this technology rich environment. This ensured that each student in year 9 had access to individual computers. PBL continues to be delivered to Year 9 and 10 students in 2011 with a variation of PBL (problem based learning) now delivered to Year 11 students. This is known as 151 and has its roots based on a one day one problem approach to learning. Year 11 students undertake 151 lessons on the UWS site in a building named the Champagnat Centre. [4]