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The St Mark's College crest is based on one of the dreams of St John Bosco.
He interpreted the dream as instruction from God to support the Pope, as head of the Catholic Church (represented by the boat), in steering it through tumultuous waters.
On either side of the boat are two columns, one signifying the importance of the Blessed Sacrament (represented by the letters IHS) and the other signifying a devotion to Our Lady (represented by the letter M).
The two columns present stability for the faithful through participation in the Eucharist and devotion to Our Lady. Just like the founder of the Salesian Order, the staff of St Mark’s College believes they too are guiding the students in their care by providing opportunities for the celebration of the Eucharist and learning about the devotion and guidance of Our Lady, Jesus’ first disciple.
Within the College crest is the image of a lion, on the sail of the boat. The lion was not a part of St John Bosco’s dream but it is a representation of St Mark, the evangelist, Patron Saint of the Parish in which St Mark’s College is located.
The Southern Cross also features in the College crest. It reminds us that we are guided by the stars of the Southern Cross which stands in the Australian heavens. It is also a symbol of the Good Samaritan Sisters who were instrumental in establishing Catholic education in Port Pirie, and a significant part of the College history.
The College motto, Lucere et Ardere, 'to enlighten and inspire' is a clear invitation to use good example, based on knowledge of the Truth, to inspire all to live in imitation of Christ.
St Mark’s school was first established in 1878. In 1890 the Sisters of the Good Samaritan arrived and became responsible for the school. The land upon which the College now stands was donated by the McNally family. In 1956 the Salesians of Don Bosco arrived and established a boy’s secondary college, Salesian College. In 1975 four Catholic school sites in Port Pirie amalgamated to form St Mark’s College. The campus at Fatima finally closed in 2002 and the school came together as one in the 100 hectare area.
Easter Sunday, Bishop Gallagher announced the Salesian Fathers would open a Boy’s School the following year with Grades 6 and 7. The Witness commented that “because we are Catholics we will of course have to aid the state by building the school ourselves and the burden will be great." This same year saw the opening of Fatima church and school.
10 February Bishop Gallagher blesses the new school “After the ceremony, the College was open for visitors and they were delighted at the beautiful classrooms. There are four of these in modern design and colours….during the afternoon a collection was taken up which resulted in 1,500 pounds being taken off the debt of 18,000 pounds, leaving 9,000 outstanding."
Fr. Kevin O’Leary and Fr. Wallace Cornell were the first Salesian teachers and they expressed “their sincerest gratitude to the good people of Port Pirie for their most generous and practical generosity.”
10 December speech night. Fr. W Cornell, the Headmaster, delivered the annual report at the College’s Speech night in Pirie Town Hall. He advised parents “The practice of sending your boy to the pictures every Saturday as a matter of course is to be deplored…Observation tells us that very few boys read anything but cheap comics. Rest assured that such reading does nothing but harm”
The opening of the new chapel and hall at the Speech Night, I. Murdock (later Salesian Principal) won the Grade 7 award for Christian Doctrine.
Inspectors report included that "the boys are treated as responsible people, able to set a proper standard for their own behaviour. This results in a happy atmosphere and tone.”
Salesian residence opened on 28 March, with the scouts forming a guard of honour.
St. Mark’s Girl’s High School opened. “A grant of $22,000 for a Science block will ensure the establishment of a Leaving Class at the Salesian College on The Terrace next year”. Russell and Yelland architects designed both buildings.
Middle School (Years 8 and 9) at Salesian College, Third and Fourth Year at St. Mark’s High, both now Co-educational. Adoption of coat of arms and motto 'to shine and burn’ and this was explained that although the world we live in is a dark and cold place, by good example and human kindness we can fill the world with light and warmth.
The four Catholic school sites in Port Pirie amalgamated to form St Mark’s College.
At a cost of $61,477 the Benedict Chapel was opened on the 4 October
Blessing of Bosco Chapel to mark 25 years of Salesian presence
Sacred Heart Home opened at Crystal Brook
Gertrude Street St. Mark’s Primary School moves to Wandereah Road
Fatima campus, St. Mark’s Junior Primary moves to Wandereah Road
16 December Fr. Jim Hoe, the last Salesian priest departs Mr Kerron Gillen appointed as lay Principal
Boarding House is established at Salesian House on the College property
The Commonwealth Government funding allows the development of the Good Samaritan Hall at Benedict (Swanbury and Penglase Architects), the refurbishment of the Bosco library.
St Mark’s Boys College –
St Mark’s Girl’s High School – Sr M Pius
St Mark’s Boys College –
St Mark’s Girl’s High School – Sr M Pius
St Mark’s Boys College – Fr J Brawley
St Mark’s Girl’s High School – Sr M Pius
St Mark’s Boys College – Fr J Brawley
St Mark’s Girls High School – Sr M Pius/John Mullin (Mar-Dec)
Father Gerard Remie SDB
Father Francis B Freeman SDB
Father Laurence J Moate SDB
Father Dennis Handley SDB
Mr David Mezinec
Mr Kerron Gillen
Mr Greg Hay
St Mark’s College is an associate school of the Salesians of Don Bosco. In keeping with the spirit of St John Bosco, our “education is largely a matter of the heart”. At St Mark’s we become a home that welcomes, a Parish that evangelises, a school that prepares for life and a playground where friends meet.
There are eight schools around Australia who come together with a particular lens on the world and a particular viewpoint of education. There is mutual support and understanding about young people and their potential. The school develops through this shared charism and heritage of the Salesians of Don Bosco.
Salesian educational leaders from around Australia have come together to reflect on what should be important in Salesian Schools. It was decided that a measure of success in a Salesian school should not be based on a narrow empirical set of data but within a broader human and faith context. The group emerged from their deliberations with a charter of belief statements which have become the pillars of Salesian education in Australia.
In keeping with the Spirit of St John Bosco whereby “Education is a matter of the heart” and leads young people to “know that they are loved”, our Salesian school community is challenged to be:
A home that welcomes
A parish that evangelises
A school that prepares for life
A playground where friends meet and enjoy themselves
At St Mark’s College we understand ourselves as a school which is underpinned by this charter.
The traditions of the Good Samaritan Sisters remains alive in the College through an expression of care for others and the legacy of Benedictine spirituality.
In 1888 the then Bishop of Port Augusta, Dr John O’Reily, in a letter to the Mother General, invited the Good Samaritan Sisters to Port Pirie. At that time it was the first foundation of the Good Samaritan Sisters outside of Sydney. Records indicate that in 1890, when they arrived, “within a few days they were teaching over one hundred children and enduring the intense heat.”
The Sisters established schools at Gertrude Street, Solomontown, Crystal Brook and Risdon Park. For sixty seven years they carried the torch for Catholic education in Port Pirie. Today their legacy lives on through the Benedictine tradition instilled throughout St Mark’s College.