Our Story

Parramatta Marist began as a school established by Fr. John Therry in Hunter Street Parramatta in 1820, under the direction of Mr George Morley. The school was transferred to the site of the present St Patrick’s Cathedral in 1837 and entrusted to the care of the Marist Brothers in 1875. This unbroken connection to the Catholic community of the Parramatta district makes Parramatta Marist the oldest continuing Catholic school in Australia.

The first three Brothers in 1875 took over a small School of 32 pupils, a number that would grow to over 100 within 12 months. Parramatta was still in many ways a small rural town, and the Brothers were accommodated on a 23-acre farm at North Parramatta; the income from which helped to finance the school.

Conditions at the school were less than adequate, and the early Brothers worked hard to develop the scholastic, sporting and cultural achievements of their students, often with very few resources.

The 1880’s were important years for the Marist story. In 1888, a new monastery was built next to the school. 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 and extra classes were organised at night and on weekends. Competitive sports were promoted vigorously with next-door neighbours, The King’s School, being the chief opponents in cricket, rugby and athletics. It was at this time that the school began to flourish.

Parramatta Marist continued to develop into 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 1920’s and 1930’s, enrolment numbers continued to grow, placing more pressure on classroom accommodation.

The 1940’s and 1950’s saw the growth and consolidation of the secondary school with a fine record of scholastic and sporting success. Despite building a new wing in 1956, the school in the early 1960’s was at breaking point with enrolment was over 1000.

Classes had to be taught in the parish hall, which was sub-divided, as well as on verandahs, at St Vincent Boy’s Home. Classes were even taught 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.

In 1966, our new campus in Westmead was opened. Further buildings were completed: the monastery and swimming pool (1968), library (1971), the senior block (1973), arts and techniques centre (1982), the administration block (1984) and the multipurpose Morley Centre (1993).

During this time, the outdoor fields and grounds continued to be developed.

Parramatta Marist facilities continued to expand to provide students with the necessary skills to be competitive and successful in an age of rapid technological change. In addition to a new Science building, we have opened a new school canteen, eLearning centre, laboratories, creative arts areas, and a 172 seat theatrette.

Since the 2000s, our educational framework has also transformed to best prepare our students for the modern world. Starting in 2008, the school introduced Project Based Learning into Year 9 and redesigned the learning spaces to cater for this technology-rich environment. This ensured that each student in Year 9 had access to one-one computers. In 2010, Problem Based Learning was introduced into Year 11 and, in 2013, a Flipped Classroom approach was introduced into Year 12.

Over the last decade, Parramatta Marist has established a reputation for innovation and excellence in education and has been recognised both nationally and internationally.

As the school approaches its sesquicentenary as a Marist school in 2025, Parramatta Marist remains well-poised to meet the ever-changing demands of educating young men in the Marist tradition in the 21st Century.