St Henrys

Marist College
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St Henrys Marist College
SAINT MARCELLIN CHAMPAGNAT

Marcellin Champagnat was born in 1789 in revolutionary
France. At the age of eleven and with little aptitude for
academic work, Marcellin, decided he preferred farm
work to hours spent over books. A few years later, a
visiting priest suggested that he might like to train for the
priesthood. Marcellin found the early years of his studies
extremely diffcult.
While in seminary, Marcellin and some others conceived
a vision for the founding of the Society of Mary. He was
determined the Society should include teaching Brothers
to work with rural children with no Christian education.
In 1816, in his frst parish, he was called to the bedside
of a dying sixteen-year-old boy completely ignorant of
Christian teaching. Deeply moved by this experience,
Marcellin decided to act. In January 1817, Marcellin and two others formed
the nucleus of the Marist Brothers. Others soon followed. A primary school was
established which became a teacher training centre for the Brothers. Marcellin
motivated them with his enthusiasm for teaching and spreading the
gospel, teaching them how to pray and to live in community.
After a long and painful illness, Marcellin died of cancer
on 6 June 1840, leaving this message in his Spiritual
Testament: Let there be among you just one heart
and one mind. Let it always be said of the Little Brothers
of Mary as it was of the early Christians: See how they love
one another! Marcellins simple educational philosophy:
to teach children one must love them. He saw God at
the centre of life and the Virgin Mary as a sure means
of attracting people to God.
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St Henrys Marist College
MARIST BROTHERS
Founded in 1817, the Marist Brothers is an international
community with the goal of educating young people,
especially those most neglected. Most of the Brothers minister in
schools, others work with young people in parishes and religious
retreats, at-risk youth settings, young adult ministry and overseas
missions.
Time and again St. Marcellin said he wanted to make Jesus
known and loved throughout the world. He would run a needle
through an apple (representing the earth) to demonstrate how
he wanted the message of Ad Jesum per Mariam (To Jesus
through Mary) to cross the globe.
The Marist Brothers are involved in educational work throughout
the world and now conduct primary and secondary schools,
academies, industrial schools, orphanages and retreat houses
in 79 countries on fve continents, reaching almost half a million
young people.
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St Henrys Marist College
MARIST IN
SOUTH AFRICA
In the mid nineteenth century, the Bishop of the Cape set about getting religious brothers and
sisters to teach the children in his small Catholic community. Answering his invitation, fve Marist
Brothers landed in the Cape in 1867and established the frst two Marist schools outside Europe in
Cape Town. A sign reading Marist Brothers Schools can still be seen on an arched gateway
leading from the Public Gardens to the original school building (now an annex to the Art Gallery).
The concern of the early priests and religious was to care for their relatively small Catholic
communities. For many years, the South African Catholic Church devoted the majority of its
manpower and resources to the white community and comparatively little to other groups that
eventually made up the bulk of its members.
In the mid nineteenth century, the Bishop of the Cape set about getting religious brothers and
sisters to teach the children in his small Catholic community. Answering his invitation, fve Marist
Brothers landed in the Cape in 1867and established the frst two Marist schools outside Europe
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St Henrys Marist College
in Cape Town. A sign reading Marist Brothers Schools can still be seen on an arched gateway leading
from the Public Gardens to the original school building (now an annex to the Art Gallery).
The concern of the early priests and religious was to care for their relatively small Catholic communities.
For many years, the South African Catholic Church devoted the majority of its manpower and resources
to the white community and comparatively little to other groups that eventually made up the bulk of its
members.
The Marists spread to the Eastern Cape, the Transvaal, the Transkei, Basutoland, Natal and the Orange
Free State.
In 1960, the famous Winds of Change speech was delivered to Parliament in Cape Town. The world was
being radically transformed through a post-industrial revolution, decolonization, and, in the Church, an
unexpected revolution had been launched with the Second Vatican Council. South Africa suffered the
tragedy of Sharpeville and the persecution of opponents of apartheid, with Nelson Mandela and other
fgures involved in the struggle being imprisoned.
The SA Bishops Conference had censured the politics of apartheid. In the face of political repression,
they spoke out increasingly strongly. The 1976 Soweto student riots caused even deeper soul-searching
among Catholics. Some Catholic schools had already opened their doors to all and, by the late 1970s,
Catholic schools registered for Whites only were admitting signifcant numbers of children of other races.
More resources and personnel were being directed towards the poor and the marginalized. !n the 1980s
Marist communities were set up in Umtata , Slough and north of Kuruman. The Brothers work with the poor
includes training of staff in rural schools, adult education, teaching in township schools, fund-raising for
disadvantaged schools and community centres.
There are fve Marist schools in South Africa: St Davids Marist College in Inanda, Sacred Heart Marist
College in Observatory and Marian College in Linmeyer, all in Johannesburg; St Henrys Marist College in
Durban and St Josephs Marist College in Rondebosch, Cape Town.
ETHOS
A specifc Marist ethos has evolved and been codifed in the light of the
life and philosophy of the Marist Founder, St Marcellin Champagnat:
Presence: Spending time with youngsters provides opportunities to enter
their lives, build up relationships and understand them better
Simplicity: Being child-like as in the spirit of the Gospel means avoiding
duplicity, pretence and empty show. Relationships are open and honest.
Family Spirit: There is a place for everyone. A sense of belonging
is fostered. A sound family does not neglect moral authority and
expectations.
Love of Work: Marcellins practical lifestyle moved others to work hard and
to respect all kinds of labour. He balanced work with prayer and life in
community.
Marys Way: Mary was a prayerful woman of faith, obedient and grateful
to God. She was concerned for others and stood by those who suffered.
Students in a Marist school are nurtured in an environment where
Integrity is the watchword, where absolute honesty in all that is said and
done is given priority.
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St Henrys Marist College
ACADEMICS
St Henrys Marist College is justifably proud of its superb
academic record, its annual success rate of 100% at
Matric level and a very high percentage of candidates
obtaining exemptions. Since 1996, the College pupils
have written the Independent Examination Board Matric
which is regarded as the pre-eminent examination
body in South Africa. The pupils are helped to develop
a spirit of inquiry so that they will undertake personal
independent study. The Learning Resource Centre,
incorporating the School Library and Archives, is well-
equipped as the nucleus of research.
St Henrys is academic home to about 750 young men
and women from Grade 000 through to Grade 12. Pupil-
Teacher ratios are very favourable, classes averaging
twenty-two to twenty-fve students, ensuring that each
student receives the best possible individual attention.
The teaching staff keep abreast of the educational
changes in our country, attending relevant in-house
courses offered by the Education Department
and the Independent Examinations Board.
In the Foundation and Junior Preparatory Phase
traditional spelling, phonics, tables, bonds,
grammar and reading programmes form a
core part of the schemes of work alongside
tested creative and innovative contemporary
approaches and methods.Married to this is a
vigilant concern for the spiritual and emotional
well-being of the pupils and continuous
interaction between management, teachers and
parents.
Assessment is carried out continually on both
a formal and informal basis. Problem areas
are addressed as soon as possible to avoid
accumulation of learning diffculties. The teachers
focus is always on the happy, productive student,
keen to attend school and who enjoys success in
as many areas as possible, academic and
extra-mural.
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St Henrys Marist College

MILESTONES
1929
1931
1933
1933
1964
1984
1996
1999
2000
2006
2008
2010
2011
2014
1930
The Little Brothers of Mary (the Marist Brothers)purchase a
prime Ridge Road property on the Berea, Durban. St Henrys
Marist Brothers School opened its doors on 4 February with 17
pupils and Brother Paul Eusterius as the frst Principal.
The new double-storeyed building of six classrooms, a library,
Principals offce and cloisters is opened.
The frst Matric class writes the frst public examinations and the
nine writing achieve a 100% pass.
The frst Matric class writes the frst public examinations
and the nine writing achieve a 100% pass.
The frst swimming gala is held.
Mr Anthony Akal is appointed the frst lay Principal.
The pre-primary classes begin for the frst time, with both boys
and girls at the little desks.
Marcellin Champagnat canonized.
The Marist Association Hall opened by Archbishop Napier and
blessed by Archbishop Hurley.
The Learning Resources Centre is completed and
opened and blessed by Cardinal Napier.
The frst girls write Matric and the frst Head Girl is
appointed.
Dr Akal retires after 26 years as College Principal.
Mrs Rene MacQuillin, the frst lady College Principal, is
appointed.
The College celebrates its 85th Anniversary
IInauguration of the House system.
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St Henrys Marist College
Tel: 031 261 7369 (Administration)
Fax: 031 262 2125 (General Administration)
10 Mazisi Kunene (South Ridge) Road, Glenwood, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
PO Box 30480, Mayville, 4058
Email: office@sthenrys.co.za
Web: www.sthenrys.co.za
St Henrys
Marist College
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St Henrys Marist College