Senior School - House Groups

The foundation of pastoral care at Marist College is the House system.

The system aims to provide a structure within the College which allows students to be known more closely and therefore cared for more effectively. It is a way of fostering sound pastoral care in a large secondary College.

Upon enrolment a student becomes a member of one of eight houses. As a general rule, he belongs to the same house throughout his time at Marist. The principle has been established that brothers belong to the same house. Each house consists of about 160 students and ten staff. Students may be cared for by the same House Dean and staff for their entire time at Marist. Consequently, staff are able to know them and their families, well. The students are further grouped into nine vertical groups comprising of boys from Years 7-12 under the care of one House Group Leader. House Group Leaders are responsible for monitoring the academic and general progress of the students and may stay with a group for some time as it moves through the College.

The system has encouraged a sense of belonging and continuity among College families and staff. Loyalty and commitment to a particular group are fostered over time.

The house system provides enhanced opportunities for:

Accumulating longitudinal knowledge about students including monitoring of personal and academic progress, through:
- Better knowledge of family background, interests, capabilities, personality and needs. This also increases the extent to which a student feels known and cared for.
- Following the academic progress of students through knowledge of courses studied and individual performance in courses. This is supported by structures such as homework diaries, contact with subject teachers and written and oral reporting.
Effective communication between parents, House Group Leaders and House Deans.
Leadership roles for students including House Captains and House Seniors, Big Brother, Little Brother , cross age tutoring, and House Council membership.
Developing in students habits such as neatness, faithfulness to homework, use of diary, wearing of uniform and punctuality, since the same House Dean will have the students for all or most of their time at the College. The same principle applies to identification and addressing student problems early, rather than allowing them to develop.
Greater responsibility among staff for pastoral care and the monitoring of individual academic progress.
Encouraging participation in the co-curricular activities provided within the College.

There are eight houses at Marist College:

Conway House
Crispin House
Darlinghurst House
Haydon House
McMahon House
Mark House
Othmar House
Patrick House

Conway House

Motto:
Latin: Nil Desperandum
English: Never Give Up

History: Conway was established in 1986 and named after Fr Ailbe Conway, Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Pearce. He was Patron of the College and a special friend of Marist.

House Dean: Mr Andy Lofthouse

House Charity: Canberra Blind Society

House colours: Red and White

Heraldic Information: The house crest was originally designed by the boys and depicts five symbols

The eagle: a bird of majestic beauty, strength, tenacity, power and survival.
The cross: the sacrifice that each Christian must embrace to attain the kingdom.
The heart: the love and compassion that must typify the living out of Christian witness.
Open hands: the symbols of generosity, giving without counting the cost and receiving all, no matter what their faults.
The turret of Conway Castle: a link with the past of Ireland, which depicts strength, perseverance and Christian values.

The house motto is rooted in the quality of perseverance. In Latin it is Nil Desperandum which may be translated as "Never give up."

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help me:

to do my best in all of my endeavours and not to settle for mediocrity;
to value others and to accept our differences without being judgmental;
to have the strength of character to choose right over wrong and to follow my conscience and not my peers;
to be gentle with those who need comfort and to be loving to those closest to me;
to despise all selfishness and to work towards the benefit of those most in need;
to persist with the struggle especially when the going gets tough;
so that with your guidance and grace I may grow to be a better person.

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Crispin House

Motto:
Latin: Carpe Diem
English: Seize the Day

History: Established in 1986 and named after Brother Crispin – Director of the first Canberra Marist Community and first Headmaster.

House Dean: Mr Grant Barclay

House Charity: SIDS – Red Nose Day

House colours: Red and Gold

Heraldic Information: The Crispin House crest incorporates symbols which inspire Crispin House students. The Southern Cross Constellation reminds us of our Australian values such as mateship and loyalty. The lion represents courage and strength. The Latin cross symbolises our faith and the constant presence of God in our lives.

Prayer:

Lord, our help and guide
Make your love the foundation of our lives
May our love for you express itself in
Our eagerness to do good for others,

Help me:

to have a clear vision of my life and its direction towards God
to develop a deep sincerity and honest approach to life and living
to be sensitive to the needs and feelings of others
to be thoughtful, courteous and caring
to develop strength, courage and leadership

Brother Crispin
(November 1988)

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Darlinghurst House

Motto:
Latin: Qui Audet Vincit
English: Who Dares Wins

History:
Darlinghurst House was established in 1986 and named after Marist Brothers High School in Darlinghurst (Sydney), the school which transferred its motto, badge and colours to Marist College in Canberra in 1968.

House Dean: Mr Glenn Slater

House Charity: Epilepsy Association

House colours: Red and Navy Blue

Prayer:

Darlinghurst House Prayer

Dear Lord

Help us to seek wisdom.
Help us find a sense of proportion to see what really matters.
Help us understand that our opinion, while important, is one among many.
Help us to celebrate the differences among us and save us from prejudice born of ignorance and lack of understanding.
Help us build a community which fosters a real sense of belonging and respect for one another.
Help us to be generous, patient and courageous so that we give one another a true sense of hope for our future.
Help us walk in the spirit of Mary and St Marcellin Champagnat and may we always keep in mind that he “WHO DARES WINS.”
May your Holy Spirit direct and rule our hearts, through Jesus
Christ, our Brother and model.

Amen.

The Darlinghurst House Prayer was proposed by Br Mark May who was Headmaster of Marist College Canberra from 1970 to 1973.

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Haydon House

Motto:
Latin: Seges Est Metenda
English: Reap the Harvest

History: Haydon was established in 1988 and named after Monsignor Haydon an early priest of the Canberra-Goulburn diocese.

House Dean: Mr Tom van de Waterbeemd

House Charity: Marymead

House colours: Dark Blue / Green

Heraldic Information:

"Four months more and then comes the harvest’
But I tell you to open your eyes and look at the fields – They are gleaming white, all ready for the harvest!

The reaper is already being rewarded and getting in a harvest for eternal life, so that both sower and reaper may be glad together"

John 4:35-36

The crest combines symbols of Canberra’s history and geography along with our patron, Monsignor Haydon.

Prayer:

God, our Father
You created us in your image
And you love us as we are;
You created us in freedom
And gave us responsibility;
In the spirit of Monsignor Haydon
Guide us on our way
So that we may never lose sight of our goals.
Teach us to have an open mind
To accept the challenges before us;
May we always act with justice
And willingly serve others.
May we as members of Haydon House
Stand tall, like wheat before the harvest;
We thank you, Lord, for the gifts and talents
You have given us.
May we always strive to reach our potential
And take every opportunity we are given
So that we may, with the power of your love within us,
reap our harvest of peace, joy, faith
and love.

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McMahon House

Motto:
Latin: Ut Vincas Contende
English: Strive to Conquer

History: Established in 1988 and named after Br Joseph McMahon, Deputy Headmaster 1974, then Headmaster until 1982.

The Motto reflects Br Joseph’s ethic of encouraging boys to work hard at studies, respect their teachers and participate in all the College had to offer.

House Dean: Mr Nathan Irvine

House Charity: Legacy

House Colours: Pale Blue / White

Heraldic Information: The crest is suggested to capture the essence of the McMahon House.

The crest comprises aspects of the McMahon Family Crest, our allegiance to Mary, and our desire to follow the cross of Christ.

The armoured hand, taken from the McMahon Family crest, symbolises the strength, honour, loyalty and chivalry of the code of Knighthood.

It is seen holding a cross, displaying our willingness to defend, serve, honour and uphold the ideals of our faith.

The Madonna Lily was selected to display our devotion to our Lady and the Marist Brothers.

Prayer:

The Memorare

A favourite prayer of Saint Marcellin Champagnat, Founder of the Marist Brothers.

Remember,
O most loving Virgin Mary,
that never was it known in any age,
that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession
was abandoned.
Inspired with confidence, therefore.
I fly to you,
O Virgin of Virgins,
My Mother.
To you do I come,
before you I stand sinful and sorrowful.
Do not, O Mother of Jesus,
despise my prayers,
but graciously hear and grant them.

Amen

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Mark House

Motto:
Latin: Quae Seminaveris Metes
English: What you sow you will reap.
" You get out of life what you put into it"

History: Mark House was established in 1986 and named after Br Mark May – second Headmaster of the College, who oversaw the introduction of secondary classes in 1972 for Year 7 and Year 8.

House Dean: Mr Glen Seivers

House Charity: Red Shield Appeal

House colours: Gold and Royal Blue

Heraldic Information: The Winged Lion is a symbol of St Mark which serves as a reminder of the determination that we encourage;

The Bible symbolises the word of God and in particular the Gospel of St Mark. It is a reminder that we should learn through Christ’s teachings;

The Hammer and Trowel symbolise the work of Br Mark. The tools serve as a reminder that we should always endeavour to build and improve ourselves and the House.

The Interwoven A and M crowned with stars is a Marial symbol which represent our part in Marist College.

The motto Quae Seminaveris Metes is taken from St Mark’s account of the parable of the sower (Chapter 4), the translation of which is "As you sow so shall you reap." In more modern terms this could be translated in "You get out of life what you put into it".

Prayer:

Teach Me, O Lord
to aim high
and not to be content with mediocrity;
to set my sights on noble goals;
to have a brave heart, a clear vision;
to prize the things that are worthwhile;
to always have courage
to choose what is right,
to despise what is petty,
to shun all selfishness,
to have a heart that is strong and brave,
pure and happy,
peaceful yet courageous,
so that under your guidance
and with your grace
I may at all times remember
" What I sow I shall reap".

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Othmar House

Motto:
Latin: Si Fiet, Per Me Fiet
English: If It Is To Be, It Is Up To Me

History: Established in 1986 and named after Br Othmar Weldon, Provincial of Sydney and former Headmaster.

House Dean: Mr Michael Stinziani

House Charity: St Vincent de Paul - Badge Appeal

House colours: Gold / Black

Heraldic Information: The Phoenix is a Greek mythical bird, fabled to be the only one of its kind and to live for up to 600 years, after which it burnt itself to ashes in a fire ignited by the sun and fanned by its own wings. It is then said to rise from the ashes with renewed youth to live another cycle. With the book, representing scholarship, the phoenix denotes determination and resilience, an ability to rise to the challenges of life.

Prayer:

God of all knowledge and wisdom
Open my mind and heart
To your Holy Spirit.
In all my work, rest and play
May I be inspired by your Son, Jesus Christ.
Make me always aware that
If it is to be it is up to me.
When afraid grant me courage;
When disturbed grant me peace;
When sad grant me joy;
When rejected grant me love.
When I doubt help me to trust you.

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Patrick House

Motto:
Latin: E Pluribus Unum
English: Strength in Unity

History: Established in 1986, Patrick House is named after the first school opened by the Marist Brothers in Australia,St Patrick’s Church Hill in the Rocks area of Sydney.

House Dean: Mr Michael Hanna

House Charity: CanTeen - Bandana Day, St Vincent de Paul - Christmas Appeal and the Parkinsons Association

House colours: Green / Gold

Heraldic Information: The Celtic cross, combining the central symbol of Christianity and the circle, a core element in the renewal beliefs of the Celts. The crozier represents St Patrick, the first bishop to the Gael, while the snake is often found in fables of Patrick.

Prayer:

The Irish Blessing
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm
upon your face,
the rains fall soft upon your fields and,
until we meet again,
may God hold you
in the palm of His hand.

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