Principal’s Message
Welcome to Marist College Kogarah, a secondary Catholic school for boys which has proudly served the St George community for over 100 years.
Our college is a Catholic community of faith, inspired by our founder, St Marcellin Champagnat. Our rich Marist heritage and tradition underpins our mission to bring the teachings of Christ to our students, who we empower to grow into faith filled young men of good character and service, ready to contribute positively to our world.
The college sets high standards and expectations of our students in an environment that is based on mutual respect inspiring curious, confident, independent, lifelong learners. Students are encouraged to do their best in everything they undertake and strive for excellence. Our college motto – “Finis Coronat Opus – The End Crowns The Work” – captures this sentiment.
We are very proud of our students and their remarkable achievements. Students of Marist College Kogarah have success academically, on the sporting field, in the creative and performing arts and they are encouraged and challenged to be young men who serve others.
I invite our community and prospective families to explore this website to learn more about our wonderful college and the many opportunities we provide for students.
If you are considering applying for enrolment at Marist College Kogarah, please refer to the enrolment information found on this website.
Mr Simon Ghantous
Principal
History
In December 1908, after much lobbying of the Marist Brothers by Fr O’Driscoll to open a boys school in the Parish, construction of the school and monastery began. A foundation stone at the front of the Gonzaga building records that Marist College Kogarah was officially opened by Cardinal Moran. On Monday 8 February 1909, the primary school opened its doors to 100 students. Marist education had begun in Kogarah.
The school met a need in the area, and over the next ten years there was a steady growth in enrolments. The school enjoyed success in a number of State Bursary Competitions, which was of real importance to a new school trying to establish itself.
An integral part of the college was, and remains, the crest and the motto – “Finis Coronat Opus – the end crowns the work”.
By the mid-1930s, Principal Br Aiden O’Keefe added a further four classrooms to accommodate the school population, which was now over 250 boys. In 1937 the Parents and Friends Association, which continues to be an active part of the college community, was formed. In 1940 a Sports House system was devised and a formal school uniform was introduced.
Marist Brothers Kogarah (as it was then known) continued to expand and, by the time the school celebrated its Golden Jubilee, it had grown from 100 students to over 1,000. By this time Marist Brothers Kogarah had gained a reputation for academic, cultural and sporting excellence.
In December 1993 the Marist Brothers announced their withdrawal from the administration of the school; after this time there would be no teaching Brothers at Kogarah.
In 2009, Marist College Kogarah celebrated its Centenary and proudly remains the strong educational institution that was established all those years ago. The college is committed to developing strong partnerships with all stakeholders to support our students in becoming:
- successful learners
- confident and creative individuals
- active and informed citizens
The Archbishop’s Charter
The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools sets out the purpose and mission of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Sydney.
Our Catholic Schools are called to:
Give witness to their distinctive educational, spiritual, moral and social purposes within the evangelising mission of the Church, founded on faith in Jesus Christ, and express this as a Mission Statement that identifies their traditions and charisms.
Mission
The college pledges to offer the highest quality, innovative, integrated, Catholic education, both human and spiritual, based on a personal love and respect of each student within a nurturing, safe environment.
Vision
As a comprehensive boys secondary systemic Catholic college we share and continue St Marcellin Champagnat’s dream of transforming the lives and circumstances of all young men.
Marist College Kogarah is situated in the Rockdale City and Bexley Parishes. We share a strong partnership with the communities of St Francis Xavier’s Arncliffe, St Gabriel’s Bexley and St Joseph’s Rockdale, which are also some of our feeder schools.
Our Parish Administrator is Reverend Father Yacub Barkat, who also serves the above-mentioned parishes.