House Structure

Our four Houses are the foundation for our pastoral system. Waterford, Purcell, Bowdler and McGoldrick Houses have all developed their own identity and spirit.

Each of our four Houses comprises approximately 160 students from Year 5 to Year 12. Belonging to a House provides all staff and students and their families with the opportunity to form positive and lasting relationships with students across all year levels.

Together with this familiarity and continuity, the House system is meant to make possible greater participation by the boys’ in House and inter-House activities. Being active, contributing, cooperating - all can build in boys a growing sense of belonging and ownership. Likewise, the necessity for leadership, increasing as it does as the boys move into higher Year groups, should result in more boys assuming ever widening responsibilities and practising that leadership.

Click here to view more information on our four College Houses.

Mentor groups are at the heart of our pastoral system.  To ensure students' individual needs are met, each House is divided into mentor groups comprising of approximately 20 students. Students remain in the same group with their mentor teacher throughout their schooling at St Mary's, offering continued support and guidance throughout their journey. The relationships within each group are unique yet all groups exemplify a familial quality where our older students also mentor the younger boys in their group.

Under the direction of the house coordinators and mentor teachers, students are encouraged to become involved in all aspects of College life. Belonging to a House now provides many avenues for students to interact on a social level to support each other, to learn from each others' strengths and weaknesses, to develop leadership skills and to actively serve the College and wider community.

Organised activities range from house liturgies and prayer, house assemblies, challenges, barbeques and break-up events; all of which aim to support a sense of  belonging and brotherhood.