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Proudly Part Of The Community Of Sydney Catholic Schools

Why choose us?

St Maryโ€™s Cathedral College Sydney, the oldest school in the Sydney Archdiocese, is steeped in tradition. Since 1824, we have built a reputation for offering a holistic education with excellent academic outcomes for young men from all over Sydney.

Our music program sets us apart, with instrument tuition being provided to hundreds of boys every week and a diverse range of ensembles working year-round. Our teaching staff also provide a range of co-curricular opportunities to compliment their unwavering commitment to education. The collegeโ€™s commitment to positive personal relationships makes St Maryโ€™s Cathedral College a fine education choice.

Principalโ€™s Message

Welcome toย St Maryโ€™s Cathedral College Sydney,ย a Years 3โ€“12 Catholic boys college in the heart of the city. The college, in some ways, is a microcosm of the development of Catholic Education in Australia. It was established in 1824 by one of the early pioneers of education in Australia, Fr John Therry, who set out to provide an education for mostly poor children in an emerging colony. Between 1828 and 2016, secondary education has been conducted on the same site by three different religious orders, the majority of that time with little or no government funding. The Christian Brothers were the last religious order to lead the education of young men which concluded in 2015 after 105 years of outstanding service and educational leadership. There is a strong continuing commitment in the community to maintain and enliven the charism of the Christian Brothers in the spirit of Blessed Edmund Rice.

The music program at the college is unique with hundreds of boys receiving weekly instrumental tuition. The college joined the Amadeus Program in 2022 with all students receiving instrumental tuition and ensemble training. This program will complement the strong music program that already exists at the college. The college showcases its musical achievements throughout the year. The annual concert in June is a calendar highlight, with all the young men of the college involved in the evening. All boys who enter St Maryโ€™s Cathedral Choir in the primary school must attend the college. The younger boys in Years 3โ€“6 are musically gifted with the majority involved in the Cathedral choir. This platform sets the framework for the musical program at the college, with 20 bands and ensembles taking place before and after school on a weekly basis.

The college enjoys a close relationship with St Maryโ€™s Cathedral and has great support from the clergy led by the Dean of the Cathedral, Fr Don Richardson. The college often joins in the celebration of the Eucharist in the Cathedral, with His Grace Archbishop Fisher regularly the celebrant at the Masses. The college celebrates weekly Mass in the Cathedral crypt before school each Wednesday, which all staff and students are welcome to attend.

The college has an excellent reputation academically and is among the top performing boysโ€™ colleges in New South Wales. In the 2021 HSC, students from the college appeared 48 times on the Distinguished Achievers merit list, which recognises students who score in the top band in a subject (a mark of 90% or better). These appearances were shared among 27 students in 19 courses. This follows many years where the College was consistently ranked in the top 100 schools in the state. The tremendous results achieved by students were reflected in the ATARs. At least 13 students received an ATAR of 90 or above and many other students received ranks far in excess of their expectations.

The college has a strong commitment in responding to the needy with staff and students volunteering regularly to assist at The Matthew Talbot Hostel at Darlinghurst. The college is involved in the Sydney Catholic Schools Sports competition, competing weekly in a range of sports each term. The college participates in theย Catholic Schoolsโ€™ Debating Association (CSDA) competitions and excels in both of these co-curricular fields of endeavour.

The college provides a holistic education based on the principles of boysโ€™ education. The young men are encouraged to have positive and healthy relationships with all in the community. The staff are committed to providing excellent learning and teaching in the formal curriculum and a diverse range of opportunities in the sporting and cultural fields.

Kerrie McDiarmid
Principal

St Marys Cathedral Catholic College Sydney Choir groupHistory
The heritage of this college would probably be the most rich and diverse of any school in Australia.

Our college is one of the few that can boast a tradition based on almost 180 years of excellence in education. Thousands of successful past students, both boys and girls, girls till 1967, can attest to this proud tradition of education on the St. Maryโ€™s site.

Our heritage fosters an environment that accepts each personโ€™s uniqueness and brings with them special gifts and talents, where each member of the college community is nurtured in a caring environment where positive relationships between staff and students are forged. The friendly yet respectful demeanour of the students is truly indicative of this unique St Maryโ€™s college climate.

The college enters the 21st century with a second to none educational tradition, optimistic that the total college community will come to see that the college as โ€œhomeโ€, where uniqueness is recognised, unique talents are nurtured and developed to their full in a caring environment where relationships form an integral part of our care of these fine young men. The college will continue to provide ample opportunity for experiences that will assist the student in his growth towards spiritual, emotional and intellectual maturity, so that they become responsible members of society.

Continue to our history.

Mission

St Marys Cathedral Catholic College Sydney Mission and ValuesMatthew 5:15 โ€“ โ€œLet your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.โ€

At St Maryโ€™s Cathedral College, we share the responsibility of the family and the Church in educating our students in the evangelising mission of the Church. We enable them to cultivate their abilities and achieve their potential. We are committed to creating a Christian environment, with the teachings of Jesus Christ at its core. The parents and staff are partners in promoting growth of the Catholic faith in our students, nurturing a college community where each student feels valued and loved, in the charism of Edmund Rice.

Therefore, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of God and our Mother:

In light of Gospel Spirituality, and as a faith community, we foster spiritual development and provide Religious Education in the traditions of the Catholic faith.

In Liberating Education, we promote excellence and the value of lifelong learning through innovative and authentic teaching practice.

As an Inclusive Community, we empower all of our students to achieve to the best of their abilities, providing them with a comprehensive education, enriched by a wealth of opportunities and experiences.

In Justice and Solidarity, we build strong relationships with each other and forge networks with the wider community.

โ€œThe will of God be done in this and everything we undertakeโ€ โ€“ Edmund Rice

Vision

St Maryโ€™s Cathedral College espouses the evangelising mission of the Church promoting Gospel Spirituality, Justice and Solidarity, an Inclusive Community and Liberating Education. Through collaboration between the church, parents, staff and students, the college fosters the spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional development of the whole person, preparing students for the challenges of today, tomorrow and forever.

โ€œHave courage; the good seed will grow up in the childrenโ€™s hearts later onโ€ โ€“ Edmund Rice

our history

St Maryโ€™s Cathedral Choir is acknowledged as the oldest musical ensemble in Australia still in operation. With a history dating from 1818, the choir specialises in singing plainchant, Renaissance polyphony by composers such as Palestrina and Victoria, and sacred music by contemporary composers.

The choir provides music at Vespers and Mass in the Cathedral every day except Fridays during term-time, making it one of only two Cathedral choirs in the world to continue such a rhythm of worship. When its busy liturgical schedule permits, St Maryโ€™s Cathedral Choir continues to reach new audiences through recordings, broadcasts, concerts, and tours.

Parish website: www.stmaryscathedral.org.au

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Proudly Part of the Community of Sydney Catholic Schools

Our school is part of a system of over 150 low-fee Catholic schools in the Sydney Archdiocese.

Sydney Catholic Schools are thriving Catholic communities that ignite a love of Christ through excellent teaching and learning to empower students to reach their full potential.

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