St Patrick's College, Mackay
St Patrick's College is a co-educational Catholic school, in Mackay, Queensland, Australia. St Patrick's is one of only two schools in Queensland that offer education only to grades 11 and 12. The college's motto is "Seek Christ", and the current principal is Mr Eamon Hannan.
History
St Patrick's College was originally founded in 1929 as Christian Brothers College, as an all-boys school. The school was situated on the Gregory Street side of where the current school is. In the late 1800's, the river side of today's St Patrick's College was occupied by St Joseph's school. When the Sisters of St Joseph moved to North Mackay, the Christian Brothers aquired the river side land. On the river side was CBC's primary school and on the Gregory Street side was CBC's secondary school. During a renewal process, the school became known as "St Patrick's Christian Brothers College. In 1987 St Patrick's became what it is today. A renewal process resulted in Our Lady of Mercy College (an all-girls school) becoming a co-educational school for lower high school (grades 8-10) and St Patrick's becoming a co-educational school for upper high school (grades 11 and 12.)
Houses
The houses at St Patrick's College are each named after founders of religious orders within the Catholic secondary schools in the district and one significant person in the Church. Since the college has only years 11 and 12, the houses are split up into gender/year level (i.e. Rice House is Year 12 Boys, Chisolm House is Year 11 girls). Each house takes one of the school's colours.
The houses are as of 2006:
- Rice, Colour: White. (Year 12 Boys)
Following the tragic death of his young wife, Edmund Rice spent much time in developing successfully his merchant business. But there was more. His reflection on the scriptures and strong commitment to the sacraments of the Church gradually led him to abandon his successful career and devote his wealth to founding free schools for poor boys. And thus began the Christian Brothers.
- McAuley, Colour: Blue. (Year 12 Girls)
Catherine McAuley, the founderess of the Sisters of Mercy, was born in Dublin in 1778. Catherine and her group of nuns lived a life which included daily prayer, visitation, educating the poor, feeding the poor, feeding and assisting with the sick during the cholera plague of 1832.
- Colin, Colour: Red. (Year 11 Boys)
Jean Claude was among a group of young seminarians who on their ordination day, 23rd July 1818, promised to do their utmost to establish a Society of Marists. Marists were founded to meet the needs of teh contemporary world, by placing themselves at the service of the Church for the most urgent and varied tasks.
- Chisholm, Colour: Gold. (Year 11 Girls)
Caroline Chisholm is one of Australia's remarkable heroines. She is well known for the help and support she gave to women and girls who were left homeless on the wharves of Sydney in the 1800's.
External link
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