Red Bend Catholic College


Red Bend Catholic College is an independent Roman [Catholic Church in Australia|Roman Catholic] co-educational secondary day and boarding school located in in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia. The college is run by the Marist Brothers, a religious institute. Established in 1926, the college has enrolled approximately 800 students from Year 7 to Year 12.

History

Marist Brothers' College, Forbes had a School building in Johnson St, Forbes. In 1939, the Bishop purchased the now current site along the Lachlan River. WWII prevented any building.
On the 6th of November, 1955 the first classes commenced at the Red Bend site as the location of Marist Brothers' College, Forbes.
Prior to 1977, the Catholic education of students in this region was provided by three secondary schools; Our Lady of Mercy College, Forbes; Our Lady of Mercy High School, Parkes; and Marist Brothers' College on Johnson St, Forbes.
In February 1977, these three schools combined to form one co-educational High School from years 7-12, with the name of Red Bend Catholic College, at the site of the former Marist Brothers' College, on the banks of the Lachlan River. This merger brought together the teaching traditions of the Mercy Sisters and the Marist Brothers.

Principals

The following individuals have served as College Principal:
OrdinalOfficeholdersTerm startTerm endTime in officeNotes
1John Hillet20032012 years
2Michael Flanagan201320195-6 years
2Stephen Dwyer2019incumbentincumbent

House system

In 1943, four houses were established at the Johnson Street School, this was prior to College's move to Red Bend. In 2014, two new houses were introduced. In 2025, an additional two new houses were introduced.
HouseColourMottoName originMascot
BasilGreen
"Action Not Words"Br Basil MonchalinBullfrogs
ChisholmOrange
Caroline ChisholmCheetahs
DenisRed
"Second to None"Br DenisDragons
LoyolaYellow
"Leading the Way with Strength and Honour"St Ignatius of LoyolaLions
MacKillopLight Blue
St Mary MacKillopMavricks
McAuleyPurple
Catherine McAuleyCobras
O'ConnorPink
"Pride in Excellence"Eileen O'ConnorPanthers
XavierBlue
"Determination, Participation, Success"Francis XavierSharks

College crest

  • The motto: Per Angusta ad Augusta
  • The colours: sky blue and navy blue
  • The cross: the Mercy Cross as worn by all Sisters of Mercy
  • The M: Marist emblem
  • The twelve stars: crown of Mary