The Legacy of St Mary and Its Importance to St Mary’s College
St Mary’s College proudly carries the name of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as a beacon of inspiration for our community. Mary’s life is a testament to selflessness, courage, and unconditional love. Her willingness to give of herself for others embodies the values we hold dear—compassion, humility, and service to the greater good.In our daily life at St Mary’s, we strive to reflect Mary’s example. Her unwavering faith and quiet strength inspire our students to become compassionate leaders, grounded in empathy and resilience. Mary’s dedication to nurturing others encourages our students to support their peers, embrace opportunities to serve their communities, and approach challenges with grace and perseverance.
Through the lens of Mary’s story, we emphasise the importance of kindness and the strength found in acts of service. Her enduring legacy enriches our educational mission, reminding us all that true greatness lies in giving of oneself for the benefit of others. St Mary’s College remains committed to fostering this spirit in every student, empowering them to lead lives of purpose, compassion, and integrity.
Humility, compassion, and a dedication to the marginalised.
Edmund Rice's spirituality emphasised humility, compassion, and a dedication to the marginalised — qualities that Mary exemplified. His approach to education and social justice was inspired by her role as the nurturing and selfless mother of Christ, guiding his mission to uplift and empower those in need.
The Religious Education program at the College is designed to not only engage and challenge a student’s knowledge, spirituality and cultural awareness, but explore the historical, biblical and living presences of Christ today, the key teachings of Jesus and our Catholic tradition. Students will explore their own ethical stance of key issues, be challenged to critically examine their relationships and how they deal with conflict.
Adolescence is a time where many young people begin to branch out and seek their own identity. During such years, faith, spirituality, religion and traditions are naturally questioned and tested. Therefore, it is most important that our programs provide a nurturing and safe place for the expression and exploration of faith and spirituality.
Through Religious Education, our students look outwards as well as inwards, understanding some of the challenges facing the world today and how they can respond to those challenges.
Prayer, liturgy and service are part of daily College life and bring us together a s a faith community. Students are given the opportunity to be active participants in social justice programs. They can choose to engage with advocacy, food and clothes drives, Caritas, St Vincent de Paul, Refugees and Asylum Seekers, climate justice and a range of indigenous and reconciliation issues.