Our History
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Our History
More than 100 years ago, in 1921, Mother M. Dominic, Sisters Benedict and Dorothea came to Griffith to take over St. Patrick’s, which was then a small developing school. The new school opened on September 4, with a roll call that included names still common at the school.
In 1950, four Marist Brothers, Oliver, Francis, Richard and Phillip came to Griffith and opened St. Brendan’s School for boys in the old Griffith Hospital building.
In 1970, St. Brendan’s School and the secondary department of St. Patrick’s School combined to become Catholic High School at the current site. Catholic High School was initially a Year 7-10 school, with Brother Clement Terry as founding Principal, supported by Sr Rita Savage as Assistant Principal.
The school was extended to include Years 11 and 12 offering the first Higher School Certificate class in 1984. From 1991, when the Marist Brothers left Griffith, until 2006, the Sisters of Mercy continued to appoint Sisters to the position of Principal. On the departure of the Sisters of Mercy in 2007, the first lay principal was appointed.
Thus, Marian Catholic College was founded and formed by Mercy and Marist orders, initially amalgamating elements of two separate congregational schools, St. Patrick’s and St. Brendan’s, before becoming Catholic High School, and then Marian Catholic College in 2006.
Since 2006, Marian Catholic College has come within the governance and oversight of the Catholic Education-Diocese of Wagga Wagga, being one of five Catholic systemic secondary schools in the Diocese.
The support of Marian’s founding orders and that of the system of 29 schools that form Catholic Education-Diocese of Wagga Wagga, provides strength, guidance and a strong spiritual foundation that will see Marian continue to flourish and grow in future years.
Education in Faith
As a Catholic school, spiritual growth and the development of faith is a fundamental element of education at the College. Religious Education is a compulsory study, as is positive and active participation in Mass, retreats, religious ceremonies, liturgies, worship and community service, all of which inform daily College life.
Daily prayer is held during Homeroom and all assemblies begin with prayer. College Masses are held regularly throughout the year and support the liturgical calendar during times of particular sacramental significance.
Our Crest
The College’s crest features the chi-rho, the first two letters of the Greek word Kristos (Christ), our Saviour who brings us into the Life of God. Rays of light reach from Christ to the world at his feet. As Christ came to the world to bring life, we too are to carry the Life of Christ to the world.
The star beside the chi-rho represents Mary, the patroness of both religious Congregations, under whose protection the College has been placed. In 2006, to recognise her patronage, “Marian” was added to the school name. “College” has been adopted because we have students from Years 7 to 12, in keeping with our sister colleges in the Wagga Diocese.
