Marcellin College Randwick

History

Marist Brothers founded the college as part of the worldwide Congregation of Marist Colleges which began in 1816 under the guidance of the French priest, Marcellin Champagnat SM.

Archbishop Kelly visited Randwick in 1921, and pressed for the establishment of a school for boys. Land became available in Alison Rd and on 4 November 1922 the Most Reverend Dr Sheehan laid the first stone which now forms part of the College Wall. Dr Cyril Fallon campaigned for funds, stating "A sum of 12,000 pounds was necessary to pay for the site and the school to be erected on it." Br Walstan Curtin was the first headmaster, and welcomed the first students on 29 January 1923. Originally the brothers traveled from Darlinghurst and Hunters Hill, until Br Aquinas managed to purchase the house adjoining the College, and then it became the living quarters for the Brothers. The Marist Brothers have managed the college ever since.

The College celebrated its 90 Year Anniversary in 2013 with a range of special events, celebrations & functions. A new College Sculpture, named Eternity was erected in 2013 in honour of the College’s 90 Year landmark and as part of a major revamp of the College’s courtyard. It was commissioned and sculpted by sculptor Col Henry. It was blessed on 17 May 2013 at the College’s 90 Year Gala Dinner.

In early 2014, major capital works commenced at Marcellin. Planning for these works had been underway since late 2011. The scope of the works includes:

The works were completed for the beginning of the 2015 school year. These facilities will significantly broaden the curriculum on offer for the boys and improve the teaching and learning environment here at Marcellin.

At the end of the 2014 academic year, Br David Hall concluded his term as Headmaster at Marcellin College. Mr John Hickey was later appointed as his successor, becoming the 24th and first lay Headmaster of the College.

Academic

Marcellin College has always achieved strong academic results, with students regularly attaining Universities Admission Index (UAI) scores of over 90. In 2005, student Christopher Beshara achieved a UAI 100, the first student in Marcellin College Randwick to achieve a UAI 100 - many other students achieving over UAI 91 annually. Following the release of the 2007 Higher School Certificate (New South Wales) (HSC) results, The Daily Telegraph ranked Marcellin College 78th in the top 200 best performing schools in New South Wales. In addition to HSC success, the school has achieved in academic pursuits such as Debating, Oratory and Chess.

Sport

Marcellin College is a member of the Metropolitan Catholic Colleges (MCC) sport program . Through this association, the college competes against schools such as Marist College Kogarah, Christian Brothers' High School, Lewisham, De La Salle College Ashfield, Marist College North Shore, Champagnat Catholic College Pagewood, St. Leo's Catholic College and LaSalle Catholic College, Bankstown, in a variety of sports including swimming, athletics, soccer, rugby league, tennis, golf, volleyball, touch football, basketball, squash and cricket. (Also rugby union, but it was disbanded in 2009).

Traditionally, Marcellin College has a strong history in sport (see below) with many students progressing to the elite level in their chosen sport, notably in rugby league, along with swimming.

Notable alumni

Marcellin College Randwick alumni are traditionally known as "Old Boys", with the school's Alumni association called the "Marcellin College Ex-Students Association". Some notable Marcellin Old Boys include: