Marist College Emerald

In 1994 Joe McCorley proposed that the feasibility of opening a secondary college in Emerald be looked at. The only secondary school in Emerald at the time 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 as 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.

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

The campus includes such facilities as:

• • Generous computer facilities, wireless throughout the school and a laptop hire scheme for Years 7 to 12
  • Music and Drama specialist classrooms
  • A new Senior Art Studio, renovated Junior Art Block and courtyard
  • Hospitality Precinct including a commercial kitchen, Restaurant and Alfresco dining area
  • A well resourced air conditioned Library
  • Technology workshops
  • Modern well equipped Science laboratories
  • Canteen, which serves hot and cold meals daily
  • Large undercover area for assemblies, sport and cultural productions
  • Well appointed general teaching areas
  • Sporting facilities including oval and basketball courts
  • A Sacred Space featuring eight stain glassed windows
  • An Inclusive Practices Centre

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.

As of 2010, seven Marist College students have achieved an overall position of 1, the top level of secondary school academic achievement in the state of Queensland.[1]

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.

The school has five houses.[2]

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."

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