Why choose us?
St Mary’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 comprehensive education with excellent academic outcomes for students from all over Sydney.
St Mary’s provides an engaging learning environment, for Years K-12, grounded in a Liberal Arts approach. Located in the heart of the city, our students are provided a Catholic education enriched by the unique opportunities afforded by a global city. Faith and reason inspire our students to become exceptional communicators adept at solving problems and taking action to make a positive difference.
Home to the world-class St Mary’s Cathedral Choir, our Chorister scholarship program and music program sets us apart, with instrument tuition being provided to hundreds of students and a diverse range of ensembles working year-round. Our teaching staff also provide a range of co-curricular opportunities to complement their unwavering commitment to education.
Principal’s Message
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teachers, paid from Government funding, worked alongside the Benedictine Monks until 1882 when Government funding was withdrawn and the Benedictines focused their mission elsewhere.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.
Our Mission
St Mary’s Cathedral College is a community of faith, learning and leadership. We inspire our staff, students and their families through the virtues and values of the Gospels. We take forward over two hundred years of tradition in teaching and learning, centred on knowing and loving Christ on the site of the Cathedral and beyond. Our students actively participate and develop their unique character and sense of service. We achieve this through fostering their spiritual, academic and social values and nurturing their wellbeing.
Our Vision
St Mary’s Cathedral College espouses the evangelising mission of the Church through collaboration between our parishes and community. The college fosters the spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional development of the whole person, preparing students for the challenges of today, tomorrow and forever. We are a thriving Catholic Community through excellent teaching and learning.
St Mary’s Cathedral represents the aspirations and achievements of the Roman Catholic Church in Sydney and it provides a welcoming venue of reflection, a sanctuary and a place of worship for members of the diocese and visitors from throughout Australia and the world at large.
The Cathedral is the spiritual home of Sydney’s Catholic community and the seat of the Archbishop of Sydney. It stands on the site of the first Catholic Chapel in Australia.
At its heart the Cathedral Community is a broad gathering of groups that include the Friends of St Mary’s, the Embrace Youth Group, the Music Department, the Bell Ringers, the volunteers and the Cardinal Gilroy Society. Each is integral to the functioning of the church and each has a role to play in delivering an overwhelmingly positive experience for the congregation and visitors.
St Mary’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 Mary’s Cathedral Choir continues to reach new audiences through recordings, broadcasts, concerts, and tours.
St Mary’s Cathedral
A: 2 St Mary’s Road, Sydney 2000
P: 02 9220 0400
E: info@stmaryscathedral.org.au
W: stmaryscathedral.org.au
Mass Times
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 6.45.am, 1.10pm, 5.30pm / Reconciliation times 12.00pm-1pm, 4.30pm-5.25pm, except public holidays |
| Saturday | 9.00am, 12.00pm, Vigil 6.00pm / Reconciliation times 11.00am-11.55am, 4.30pm-5.30pm |
| Sunday | 7.00am, 9.00am, Solemn Choral Mass 10.30am, 6pm |
| Public Holidays | 9.00am |
Evening Vespers
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 5.00pm |
| Saturday | 5.30pm |
| Sunday | Choral Vespers and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament 5.00pm |
Note: No weekday Vespers and Sunday Benediction during school, public holidays and the month of January.
