History

‘Marist Brothers School and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Randwick opened in 1923 with 159 students, growing to 350 in 1926. In 1932, despite the Depression, the college uniform was introduced. Between 1930 and 1935, thirty percent of the students received University Exhibitions exempting them from fees. In 1955, the school was renamed to Marcellin College. This name change also meant a new college crest.

Between 1957–1962, fathers were asked to volunteer their services for a number of building projects including re-modelling laboratories, Q Store, fourteen classrooms, extensions to the monastery, and a woodwork centre. Probably no school anywhere in Australia has raised up its own buildings through voluntary labour so successfully, so extensively and at such a minimum cost as the Men’s Auxiliary of Marcellin College. 

Marcellin Junior began in 1964. After forty years, primary classes ceased at the Senior site. With 5th and 6th classes elsewhere, enrolments dropped from 1,000 to around 600. 

In 1968, four laboratories were built, a library constructed, Greenstead Hall remodelled, and the erection of the main gates to the college took place. During 1974, the last two of the six laboratories were added and staff moved into the rooms under Greenstead Hall. 

In 1989, there was a significant broadening of the curriculum and the introduction of many new subjects. This time, unfortunately, marked the end of an era as the junior college entered its final years.

Between 1995–2001, the Vaughan Centre and the Champagnat Technology Centre was constructed and the library was refurbished. During 2011–2012, there was substantial investment in teacher professional development, coupled with a 1–1 laptop program.

Major capital works finished in 2015, including a new library, the Devlin Centre, a new canteen, Greenstead Hall, La Valla Centre and a drama performance space in The Marist Centre.

In 2017, the Hospitality and Food Technology kitchens were expanded and a new gym and fitness centre built. The Newman Selective Gifted Education Program also evolved to become the benchmark for other schools in the Sydney region.

Mr Mark Woolford, an ‘Old Boy’ of the class of 1978, was appointed principal in 2018 and continues this role today. In 2019, a number of improvements were made including solar paneling on the rooftop of the Marist Centre, the installation of LED lighting and ice-water bubblers.