FOUNDATION
The
College was founded in 1928 by the Marist Sisters, a congregation of Roman
catholic women started in France in 1817 by Jeanne Marie Chavoin and Jean
Claude Colin. In the
course of its history the college has had 3 names. It began as Marist Convent
High School, later becoming Marist Sisters ‘College and finally Marist College
(1996)
HISTORY
“We
began with three students” … Just one
year after arriving to establish a primary school in Mt Albert Parish, a
secondary school took shape. Between 1928 and 1936 it was a boarding school
which included primary age students Later these students were incorporated in
Marist Primary school. Numbers were small and the curriculum was limited.
The two pioneers were Mother Bernard (Mary
Gorman) an indomitable and resourceful Irish woman and Sister Austin, an
Australian. Sr. Alexius arrived New Zealand in February 1928 to teach in the
secondary school. and later wrote her recollections of the beginnings of the
High School. “Mother Bernard and I were the teachers. [The school] was so
small” Registration was eventually obtained in 1947.
The roll grew in
1929 to ten boarders, both primary and secondary. The focus was mainly on
commercial subjects. In 1936 the primary school boarders joined the classes at
the parish primary school as the secondary school roll began to grow.
Over the years
the roll grew steadily, and the boarding facility catered for 65 girls at its
maximum. These girls came from country areas in New Zealand and from overseas.
From
the beginning the College had links to the Marist Sisters missions in Fiji and
Tonga, both through students who came as boarders and sisters transferring from
one place to another in Oceania and sisters newly arrived from France, England
and Ireland. Marist Sisters’ communities had been established in Fiji (1892)
Australia (1908), Tonga (1924). In 1955 there were 93 students at Marist
College, in 1963 – 250, 1974 – 335 students. The roll at Integration into the
State system 1981, was capped at 411, plus intermediate students. The boarding
school had closed in 1978 due to a lack of staff to manage it and also because
Forms I and 2 were brought up from the Primary school. The maximum of 750 was
set in 2010. Each successive wave of immigration to New Zealand society has
continued to make the College a reflection of the multicultural nature of
Aotearoa-New Zealand. In 2019 the school had the following ethnic makeup: NZ European/Pakehā 40%, Māori 10%, Indian
10%, Samoan 10%, South East Asian 8%, Tongan 8%, Chinese 5%, Other Pacific
groups 5%, other ethnic groups 4 %
At first the
college was staffed entirely by the Marist Sisters, who depending on their
particular skills often moved between the Primary School and the College. The
last Marist Sister to be principal was Sr Juliana Massey, also the first
ex-student to become principal.
The school has
been under lay leadership since 1991. Mrs. Marie Nield was the first lay
principal. The College was gifted by the Marist Sisters of New Zealand to the Roman
Catholic Bishop of Auckland in 2001.
The whole school
community, through its general school programme, its instruction and
observances, exercises the right to live and teach the values of Jesus Christ.
Marist College has daily prayer, regular celebration of the Sacrament of the Eucharist
and formal study of a religious education programme.
Each year, Marist
College celebrates Marist Day, on or about the Feast of the Assumption of Mary
(August 15
th). This annual day began in 1978. It consists of Mass
with the reception of Sacraments for those who have been preparing, a service
component – contribution to a selected charity, followed by a themed fun day
prepared by Year 13.
A family festival
is held each year in March. It celebrates the variety of cultures in the
College, including food and cultural performances.