The History of St Mary's College

The Sisters of Mercy were founded in Ireland in 1831 by Catherine McAuley, an extraordinary woman with a deep trust and faith in God. Her leadership and inspiration is internationally recognised and honoured. The first Sisters of Mercy arrived in Auckland in 1850 and immediately began their teaching mission, establishing St Mary’s College based on Mercy values. Today the College is owned by the Sisters of Mercy who have established a Board of Directors which works in conjunction with the Board of Trustees to ensure that the Catholic Character and Mercy charism of the school is not only maintained but enhanced and promoted. St Mary’s College is the oldest existing secondary school for girls in Auckland and one of the oldest existing schools in New Zealand. It was established by a group of pioneering Sisters of Mercy who arrived from Ireland on 9 April 1850. The following day they began their work of teaching in a building on the site of the present St Patrick’s Cathedral in Wyndham Street, Auckland.  (The works of the Sisters include education, care of the sick, visitation and pastoral care of prisoners). The Sisters continued to teach there while the St Mary’s Ponsonby property was developed: a name which became attached to the school. In the college the classrooms, including a stage, were divided by folding doors, which could be opened to form a roomy hall used for concerts and prizegivings, These occasions were often graced by the presence of the Governor of the Auckland Province and his Lady.

 

St Mary's College timeline
1861	A large new convent was built in Ponsonby, on a splendid site overlooking the Waitemata Harbour and the central business district of Auckland City.
1864	A new building, comprising classrooms with dormitory above, was erected.
1865	A wooden chapel in Gothic style is built. It is the heart of the convent and the school and weekly masses continue to be celebrated there.
1916	A detached science lab and science room are built.
1929	Erection of a new school in a picturesque Spanish Mission style on the north side of the property.
1931	Boarders Hostel (on the site near the present pool) was completed. Coolock House later became the new hostel but closed in 2005. In 2007 this refurbished building reopened as a hospice.
1956	Upgrading of sports facilities, provision of tennis courts, opening of an enclosed swimming pool.
1962	A modern science block dedicated to Mother Bernard Towers – a former science teacher and Principal.
1978	Classroom block named after Mother Benedict.
1987	Opening of the multi purpose Hall dedicated to Cecilia Maher the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy in Auckland.
1996	Reconstruction of the 1929 Spanish Mission building. This provided an administration area, a music suite in the redecorated Hall and some adjacent classrooms named Stella Maris and dedicated to the late Dame Sister Mary Leo.
2004	The Catherine McAuley building was blessed and opened by Bishop Pat Dunn.
2005	The new staffroom was in use from mid year.
2006	The new Staffroom, The Veronica Delany Library and technology rooms were blessed and opened by Bishop Pat Dunn.
2007	The maximum roll of 800 is reached. The refurbished Administration area and extra classrooms for languages, maths and Learning Support will be opened.