St Mary's Cathedral College, Sydney

History

St Mary's Cathedral College was established in 1824 as an elementary school by the Rev. John Therry. The high school was established in 1828. The school was conducted by the Christian Brothers and is administered by Sydney Catholic Schools, Eastern Region. The Christian Brothers association with the school dates back to 1911. Catholic education on the same site as St Mary's Cathedral has been continuous since 1824, except during the construction of the existing college buildings and the associated bishop's quarters (1987–1991). Schools on the site have been provided with staff by the Benedictine monks (1824–1882), the Marist Brothers (1883–1910), Sisters of Charity (1883–1967) and the Christian Brothers from 1910.

The replacement of the Marist order by the Christian Brothers in 1911 was controversial. The Marist Brothers had complained to the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal Patrick Francis Moran, about their working and living conditions. The cardinal ordered them to leave the college. He directed the Christian Brothers (under threat of interdict) to take over the college in their place, which they did. The cardinal then granted to the Christian Brothers the requests that the Marist Brothers had been denied. The College celebrated 100 years of Christian Brothers administration in 2011. Christian Brother administration of the college ended in 2016 after 105 years.

Co-curricular

The college supports a musical tradition, with close ties to the St Mary's Cathedral Choir, Sydney, and the cathedral liturgies. A music captain is voted in annually to support the music coordinator with music-related activities in the college. It also supports sporting sides in all representative Northeast Conference seasonal/gala day sports and carnivals. At the conclusion of 2021, it was announced by Sydney Catholic Schools that the CBSA (Christian Brothers Sports Association) which the college was involved in for several years would come to a close, creating a new Northeast Conference that the college competes in since 2022. Students at the college have the option to participate in debating, public speaking, mock trial, Duke of Edinburgh Award, and assisting at the Matthew Talbot Hostel in Woolloomooloo.

Principals

• Brother Michael Hoffman (1985–2000)
• Brother David Standen (2000–2010)
• Brother Christopher Peel (2011–2015)
• Michael Kelleher (2016–2022)
• Kerrie McDiarmid (2023–present)

Notable alumni

• Anthony Albanese31st Prime Minister of Australia (2022–present), Leader of the Australian Labor Party and federal member for Grayndler
• Sir Edward McTiernan longest serving Justice of the High Court of Australia; former Attorney-General of New South Wales; former Member of the Australian House of Representatives
• James Freemancardinal; sixth Roman Catholic Archbishop of Sydney
• James Griffinpolitician; Liberal Member for Manly
• Kevin "Horrie" Hastings – former professional rugby league footballer for the Sydney Roosters
• Hugh Donald "Huge Deal" McIntosh – theatrical entrepreneur, sporting promoter and newspaper proprietor
• Hunter Page-Lochardactor, known for Cleverman
• Joe Reaicheformer professional rugby league footballer for the Sydney Roosters, Canterbury Bulldogs and South Sydney Rabbitohs
• Jerry Skotadismidfielder for the Sutherland Sharks and formerly Sydney FC
• Peter Triantiscentral midfielder for the Sydney FC
• Aaron Woodsprofessional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla Sharks

References

References

1. (2007). "2006 Annual Report". St Mary's Cathedral College.
2. "SMCC".
3. [http://www.smccsydney.catholic.edu.au St Mary's Cathedral College homepage]; accessed 18 September 2014.
4. Robertson, Paul Malcolm. (1996). "Nga Parata Karaitiana, The Christian Brothers: A Comparative Study of the Indian and New Zealand Provinces". [[University of Auckland]].
5. Carroll, Lucy. (1 July 2022). "‘Reimagining the college’: One of Sydney’s oldest Catholic schools considers co-ed move".
6. Petrinic, Isabell. (18 August 2022). "New St Mary’s Cathedral College Principal announced".
7. Pitt, Helen. (12 August 2024). "Critical Incident Actor Hunter Page-Lochard wants audiences to be sick of him".
8. Williams, John M.. "Sir Edward Aloysius (Eddie) McTiernan (1892–1990)". National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
9. Cullen, Michael P.. "Sir James Darcy (Jimmy) Freeman (1907–1991)". National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
10. (3 May 2017). "Members Inaugural Speech".