The land on which the school is built was purchased during the time that Mgr. Denis Conaghan was parish priest of Maroubra, in the years 1939-1954. Father John Power was appointed parish priest of Pagewood and was instrumental in the development of the school over the next thirty years. In 1960, building began on the John Power wing at the instigation of Mgr. Barney Hudson, the parish priest from 1954 to 1974. The architect for the project was Professor Neville Anderson of the University of New South Wales. The main two-storey block contained eight classrooms, library, manual arts room and four cloak rooms. A single-storeyed extension contained toilet facilities for the boys, accommodation for three brothers and the school canteen. This building was opened by Cardinal Norman Gilroy on 29 January 1961. Three years later, construction of the Brother's Monastery began. The building was delayed due to a season of constant rain, but on the appointed day, 12 May, the building still in an uncompleted state was solemnly blessed and officially opened by Cardinal Gilroy. The monastery has accommodation for ten brothers and the building included a Study, Chapel and a small flat for the housekeeper. The school was established in 1961. Originally it was formed as a primary school with 84 students and later became a high school in 1969.
Curriculum
In Years 7 and 8 students follow a general course of study that comprises Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Human Society and its Environment, Italian, Visual Arts, Music, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, Pastoral Care, and Technology and Applied Studies. In Years 9 and 10, the curriculum broadens as the boys enter Stage 5. In this stage, students are required to study set courses in the Key Learning Areas of Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Australian History and Geography as well as Personal Development, Health and Physical Education. Students have the opportunity to select two elective courses in Year 9 and can choose again in Year 10. Additional subject choices include: Commerce, Information Software Technology, Building, Graphics Technology, Industrial Tech, Language, Music and Physical Activity and Sports Studies. In the compulsory Mathematics course there are three levels, which are graded according to students’ abilities. For the senior years of Year 11 and 12 there is a wide choice of subjects offered, which includes Catholic Studies, Studies of Religion, English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Ancient History, Modern History, Geography, Economics, Engineering, Business Studies, Construction, Hospitality, Information Processes Technology, Information Technology VET, Industrial Tech, Computing Applications, PDHPE, Pastoral Care, Visual Arts, Visual Design and Digital Imaging, Visual Design and Work Studies.
