Marymount College began as a vision rooted in faith, community and possibility. In 1959, Fr Frank Shine was appointed Parish Priest of Burleigh Heads and by 1966, a proposal had been set in motion to establish a secondary girls’ school for the growing Catholic community. The foundations were laid in 1967 on land purchased by Fr Shine, and the name “Marymount” was chosen in devotion to Mary and the gentle rise of the land.
The College opened in 1968 under the leadership of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, welcoming just sixteen students and two staff.
Through the 1970s and early 1980s, Marymount grew steadily becoming one of Queensland’s first Catholic co educational colleges, expanding facilities, welcoming its
first senior class and appointing its first lay Principal. By 1984, enrolments had surpassed 600 students, new learning spaces had been built, and the foundations were laid for the Doyle Centre, which would become a cornerstone for physical education, theatre and music.
From 1984 onward, the College continued to evolve with purpose and vision. New classroom buildings, specialist facilities and major projects shaped the campus, including the completion of the Doyle Centre in 1991.
Leadership transitions throughout the 1990s and 2000s brought renewed energy, while significant investment in technology, hospitality, home economics and manual arts ensured students had access to modern, future focused learning. Enrolments grew to more than 900 students, supported by new administration spaces, expanded staff facilities and a thriving cocurricular culture.
Marymount also strengthened its role in the wider community, hosting major sporting carnivals, expanding service opportunities and welcoming thousands of students during the Journey of the Cross and Icon in 2008 - a powerful moment of shared faith. That same year, the College launched its Mission Statement, reaffirming the values that have guided Marymount since its earliest days.
Today, Marymount College stands as a vibrant, hope filled community shaped by decades of dedication, faith and partnership. Each chapter of our story reflects the same commitment: to know our young people, to nurture their gifts, and to help them grow into compassionate, capable individuals ready to contribute to the world around them.