Marist College Emerald

Marist College Emerald
Location
Emerald, Queensland Australia
Information
School type	Private, secondary
Motto	In Veritate Libertas(The truth will set you free)
Religious affiliation(s)	Christian
Denomination	Catholic
Principal	Mrs Marie Martin
Grades	8-12
Gender	Co-educational
Enrolment	approx. 450
Houses	Moore, Heenan, Farrelly
School Colour(s)	Blue, Yellow, Maroon
School fees	$2,600(AU)+

Marist College Emerald is a Catholic, co-educational day school located in Emerald, a rural town located in the Central Highlands, about 3 hours west of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.

The college draws students from Emerald, as well as surrounding rural areas including Gindie Springsure, the Gemfields Capella, Blackwater, Comet and many rural properties.

The college is one of only two high schools in Emerald.

History

In 1994 Joe McCorley proposed that the feasibility of opening a secondary college in Emerald be looked at. At the time, the only secondary school in Emerald was Emerald State High School.

The proposed site of the original Marist College was on the north side of the Capricorn Highway, adjoining the Agricultural College.

The mayor of Emerald at the time, Paul Bell, was also keen to open a secondary college in Emerald. He suggested utilising land on the east side of the Nogoa River. In coming years, the college would promote housing developments in the area.

Joe McCorley asked the Marist Brothers to administer the College. Bishop Brian Heenan (after which one of the college houses is named after) also asked the Marist Brothers to administer the college.

The college commenced Year 8 classes in 1996 with the first Year 12 class graduating in 2000.

The initial cohort of students was expected to be around 90 students, with around 450 students expected by 2000. The current student numbers stand at around 410 students (2008).

Brother Peter Corr was the first principal of Marist College Emerald. The parish priest at the time was Father Dan Moore (after which Moore house is named).

In 2006 the College celebrated 10 years of Catholic secondary education on the Central Highlands.

Facilities

Marist College Emerald boasts modern architecturally designed buildings set in landscaped grounds.

The campus includes such facilities as:

• 4 computer laboratories;
• 5 well-appointed general teaching areas;
• Canteen;
• Industrial kitchen for catering and hospitality courses;
• Large covered area, for assemblies, sport and cultural performances;
• Small Library;
• Manual Arts block;
• Music, drama and art rooms;
• Sporting facilities including oval, basketball courts, tennis courts and weights room.

Sporting tradition

All students participate in the College's Wednesday afternoon sporting program, and can play a variety of sports, including:

• Cricket
• Cross country running
• Netball
• Rugby league
• Rugby union
• Track and Field

Students have the opportunity to progress to district, regional, state and national levels in these sports. The college also has an inter-house competition which includes swimming, cross country running and athletics carnivals.

Academic Achievements

Four Marist College students have achieved an overall position of 1, the top level of secondary school academic achievement in the state of Queensland. Interestingly, the Thompson brothers have contributed to half of the school’s OP 1s since its opening.^[1]

Band and Instrumental Music

The College bands are well known around Emerald and play a significant role in many town functions. The college bands have been successful every year at the Queensland Catholic Schools Music Festival.

School Houses

The school has three houses: Moore, Heenan and Farrelly.

Moore House

Motto: Post Prolia Pramia (After the battle come the rewards). Colour: Blue Emblem: Shark

Moore House was named in honour of Father Daniel Moore, who was Parish Priest of Emerald when the college was founded. His positive enthusiasm and love of people proved an early inspiration to the Marist College community.

The winning house of the college in 2005, 2006 and 2007 was Moore House.

Heenan House

Motto: Per Aspera Ad Astra (Through difficulty to the stars). Colour: Gold Emblem: Hornet

Heenan House was named in honour of Bishop Brian Heenan, Bishop of the Diocese of Rockhampton during the foundation of the college. Bishop Brian was very involved in the introduction and development of Marist College Emerald. The winner of the swimming carnival in 2010.^{[citation needed]}

Farrelly House

Motto: Cituis Altuis Fortuis (Faster, Higher, Stronger). Colour: Red Emblem: Dragon

This house was named in memory of Brother Mark Farrelly who was involved in the early development and planning of Marist College. His life was marked by a thirst for learning, by creativity and by the love of people and life. He was actively involved in research and publication on Marcellin Champagnat's life and charism. Brother Mark died of a brain tumour in July 1999.

The winner of the college swimming carnival, sports carnival and cross country in 2008 was Farrelly House.

Crest and Motto

The crest of Marist College Emerald was designed to incorporate symbols of the main influences on this Catholic College. The central motif represents the Trinity - the flames are symbolic of the Holy Spirit; the Chalice and Host represent the Son, Jesus in the Eucharist; with the hands of the Father shown in a supporting gesture. Sunflowers represent the Shire of Emerald and the stylized "A & M" is the international symbol of the Congregation of the Marist Brothers.

The motto "In Veritate Libertas" translated: "The Truth Will Set You Free."

College Uniform

The boys' uniform consists of:

• B. Mountcastle and Sons hat with Marist College hat band
• Basketball shorts (blue)
• Black belt(optional)
• Black lace-up shoes
• College backpack
• College jumper (maroon)
• College sports socks (white, with yellow letters)
• College tracksuit (blue and yellow)
• Formal grey shorts
• Formal shirt (white, striped) (Senior boys wear maroon piping on their shirts)
• Grey socks
• Sports cap (blue)
• Sports shirt (blue and yellow)
• Sport shoes (predominantly white)
• Tie (maroon)

The girls' uniform consists of:

• Basketball shorts (blue)
• Black lace-up shoes
• College backpack
• College jumper (maroon)
• College sports socks (white, with yellow letters)
• College tracksuit (blue and yellow)
• Formal blouse (lemon) (Senior Girls wear tartan piping)
• Formal skirt (blue/yellow tartan)
• Panama hat (yellow) with College hat band
• Sports cap (blue)
• Sports shirt (blue and yellow)
• Sport shoes (predominantly white)
• Tie (junior girls wear ribbon tie, seniors wear formal tie)
• White socks (recently changed from lemon)

References

• Marist College Emerald Prospectus
• Marist College Student Diary 2008, pg 2-8, 2008

1. ^ "Report," Catholic Education.

Coordinates: 23°32′36.71″S 148°09′29.44″E / 23.5435306°S 148.1581778°E / -23.5435306; 148.1581778