Sydney Catholic Schools makes history as St Mary’s Cathedral College transforms to a Kindergarten through Year 12 coeducational model.

St Mary’s Cathedral College has announced that it will be accepting enrolments for both boys and girls for Kindergarten to Year 7 in the first school term of 2025.

The announcement follows community consultation and analysis that indicates a growing demand for high quality coeducational opportunities in the heart of Sydney.

The announcement comes at the beginning of St Mary’s Cathedral College’s Bicentennial year, having been founded in 1824.

Throughout its 200 year history the College has blazed a trail in education that has included the leadership of the Benedictine Monks, Marist Brothers, Sisters of Charity and Christian Brothers.

As a Cathedral College, St Mary’s has a particular focus on sacred music and has earned a reputation for being part of a world class Cathedral Choir that is known throughout the world.

Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools, Tony Farley described St Mary’s expansion to a Kindergarten to Year 12 coeducational College as ‘The next chapter in the story of an iconic Sydney Catholic School. The last group of young women to graduate from St Mary’s Cathedral College was in 1967 and this return to coeducation is both an evolution and reminder of our rich history and traditions.’

The decision to expand the College to a full kindergarten to year 12 coeducational college was a response to both parent demand and the stunning opportunities St Mary’s Cathedral College offered.

Mr Farley said for its students the ‘city was the classroom where within a few minutes walk they could visit the Australian Museum, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Hyde Park Barracks, State Library and NSW Parliament. Just as close is the Domain and Royal Botanic Gardens and a little further on the Sydney Opera House and beautiful Sydney Harbour.’

“These remarkable institutions and landmarks are uniquely available to our students and one of the many reasons why so many parents were keen to enrol their children in the College.’ ‘Above all’, he said, ‘St Mary’s Cathedral remains the focus of why the school exists and where faith and the sacraments can be experienced in the most beautiful and life giving way,” Mr Tony Farley said.

St Mary’s Cathedral College Principal, Mrs Kerrie McDiarmid said the move to a kindergarten to year 12 school was an ‘exciting moment for the school and Catholic education right across the city. We draw students from many parts of Sydney and feel privileged to provide a high quality Catholic education that seamlessly blends our traditions with our pursuit of excellence.’

“The school’s expansion has been enabled by Sydney Catholic Schools’ purchase of an additional campus on William Street, only a few minutes walk from the Cathedral.’ She said ‘It is a game-changer in terms of allowing us to grow our school and provide additional learning spaces where our students can thrive. I’m conscious that in this Bicentennial year we’re building on the work of so many others over the last 200 years and creating a future that is filled with possibilities and opportunities that only faith and optimism can realise,” Mrs Kerrie McDiarmid said.

Mr Farley said demand for Catholic schools across the Archdiocese was particularly strong and that ‘parents are looking for schools that get great academic results while providing excellent opportunities in music, sport, the performing and visual arts.’ He said ‘parents want their children to be educated in a way that leads each child to an awareness of God in their lives. The extraordinary levels of early interest clearly indicate that this school is set to be in high demand, becoming a coveted choice for Sydney families’.

Students and their families are invited to attend the St Mary’s Cathedral College Open Day on Wednesday, 6 March 2024 from 2pm – 6pm.