The Merging of Two Schools
Marian College opened in 1982, with the merging of two similar Catholic secondary schools for girls.

​​​​​​​St. Mary’s College, opened by the Sisters of Mercy in Colombo Street in 1893, had a proud tradition of Catholic education, while MacKillop College in Shirley, administered by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, had provided both boarding and day facilities.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Post-Earthquake

Following the February 22, 2011, earthquake, Marian College was forced to shift site after the banks of nearby Dudley Creek slumped and its land suffered significant damage. Marian was subsequently hosted by our brother school, St Bede’s College, for the rest of that year.

At the beginning of 2012 the school reopened in Barbadoes St in fully refurbished buildings. A consultation on the future location of the college took place in July 2016.

New Horizons

On 11 March 2019, the Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, Paul Martin, announced a new Marian College to be built in Christchurch’s north west on a new three hectare site. The new College site will neighbour St Joseph’s Primary School and will be on land bordered by Vagues Road, Main North Road and Northcote Road with the main entrance off Lydia Street.

The new Marian College in Papanui is expected to open its doors to students in 2023.

Are you a past student, teacher, family member or someone who has had a relationship with St Mary's, McKillop or Marian Colleges then we would love to hear from you! Please register with our Past Whānau Network