Become a VOLUNTEER Reconnecting, reuniting and re-envisioning: St Mary’s School celebrates 150 years

St Mary’s School Blenheim is a Catholic Integrated School with a rich history spanning well over a century.

Celebrating its 150th Jubilee, the roots of St Mary’s School date back to 1872 when the first purpose-built Catholic school was established. Over the years, the educational landscape evolved, leading to the opening of the Convent High School in 1903 for girls’ secondary education and the involvement of De la Salle Brothers in teaching the boys at St Mary’s. In the 1970s, the secondary school closed, and St Joseph’s and St Mary’s merged to become St Mary’s Parish School Blenheim. Under the leadership of Mr. Sullivan, the school opened its doors to girls and boys from five to thirteen years old, fostering a supportive learning environment within the Catholic faith. Today, St Mary’s Blenheim continues to provide high-quality education, guided by their mission statement ‘In Christ’s Light’ the children live and develop personally through the school values of the Beatitudes guided by the Holy Spirit. Now catering to boys and girls from new entrants through to Year 8, St Mary’s welcomes students from diverse cultural backgrounds across the greater Marlborough region.

Principal Paddy Dowling has been with the school since 2017 and says, their mission is to provide high-quality education and educate students while nurturing their spiritual, academic, cultural, and physical development. “Our school values, inspired by the Gospel

OUR VALUES: Volunteer Marlborough is a community Resource that helps individuals and organisations gain satisfaction and skills through education, encouragement, support, promotion and acknowledgment of volunteering as a valued community service. Thanks to all our amazing Volunteers and the incredible support you give to Marlborough of St Matthew, include humility, compassion, community, faithfulness, forgiveness, honesty, patience, and courage. We believe in upholding these values to create a nurturing and inclusive environment for our students.”

Leaving his role at the end of the term, Paddy says the jubilee celebrations and official opening of the new spaces are a wonderful way to finish his time with St Mary’s School. “I have enjoyed every day being a part of this amazing Kura. Having the Catholic Faith as the base and purpose of this school and being part of a Catholic Christian community has constantly lifted me each day to want to come to school. The