History

A Catholic school has been a constant presence on the site of St Mary’s Cathedral since 1824. Several religious traditions have led faith and learning on this site. The school was staffed by Benedictine monks from 1824–1882; by Marist Brothers from 1883–1910, assisted by Sisters of Charity (1883–1967); and by the Christian Brothers from 1911 to 2015. Since 2016 the College has been part of Sydney Catholic Schools. 

One of the first priests to the NSW colony, Fr John Therry, established the initial school on the site as an elementary school accommodating both boys and girls. Lay teachers, paid from Government funding, worked alongside the Benedictine Monks until 1882 when Government funding was withdrawn and the Benedictines focused their mission elsewhere. Archbishop Vaughan invited other religious orders to run the school, and the Sisters of Charity and Marist Brothers answered the call, operating a girls and boys elementary schools respectively. In 1887 the initial secondary schools were opened alongside the primary schools. 

In 1910 Cardinal Moran requested of Br Barron, the Christian Brothers’ Provincial, that a group of Christian Brothers begin work at what was then St Mary’s Parochial Primary School. The Brothers expanded the size of the buildings and scope of education. 

The changing nature of education and the altered demography of the Sydney CBD in these decades had an important effect in shaping the school’s population. As the residential population of the CBD declined, enrolments needed to be drawn from a wider geographical area. Christian Brother Gygar (Principal, 1938–1942) established and registered the school as a ‘Cathedral Choir School’, which allowed students to travel free on public transport from outside the city’s centre. This not only solved the problem of declining enrolments but also helped develop the musical character of the education offered at the school. This music focus is best expressed in the annual Cathedral Concerts held in the Sydney Town Hall, and the extensive music programs offered to all students. While the school ceased to admit junior primary students from the mid-1970s, the College’s connection to the Cathedral Choir continued with Years 3-6 primary classes offered for choristers.

The growing population of the school and the challenges of meeting the needs of a diverse curriculum meant that by the 1980s the school’s 1912 building was no longer fit for purpose. Br Hoffman (Principal 1985–2000), supported by then-Archbishop Clancy, made the decision to demolish the existing building, and build a new school on the existing site. During the rebuilding phase (1987-1992), education of the boys continued at Waverton in the refurbished naval storage sheds. In 1992 students and staff returned under the new name of St Mary’s Cathedral College. Young men from Years 3-12 were educated under the stewardship of the Christian Brothers until 2015. In 2016 the College became part of Sydney Catholic Schools, and was led by its first lay Principal, Mr Michael Kelleher, and in 2023 by its first lay female Principal Mrs Kerrie McDiarmid.

The proximity to the Cathedral is more than a geographical significance. Students continue to serve as choristers and scholars, and many students are involved in altar serving and other aspects of the liturgy. The Catholic mission of caring for others is exemplified in the close relationship the College enjoys with the Matthew Talbot Hostel, Woolloomooloo, Plunkett Street Public School, and Vincentian Aged Care Service.

Continue to our history.