Maryvale College celebrates 80th birthday

The Maryvale College celebrated its 80th birthday with a commemorative and moving mass attended by the Bishop of Johannesburg, Bishop Duncan Tsogo, Parish Priest, Father Tshepo, students, staff, former learners and parents.

In 1939, the Assumption Sisters opened the doors to the Assumption Convent as 15 August is the Feast of Assumption in the Catholic Church.

The celebration of the 80th anniversary of the school was a glorious ceremony as they share a Holy Mass with Bishop Duncan and the Assumption Sisters.

Head of religion, Evelyn Patrick said that the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, known in the Eastern Churches as the Dormition (falling asleep) of Mary, commemorates Mary’s being assumed into heaven at the end of her life. “The Assumption completes God’s work in her since it was not fitting that the flesh that had given life to God himself should ever undergo corruption.

“The Assumption is God’s crowning of His work as Mary ends her earthly life and enters eternity. The feast turns our eye in that direction, where we will follow when our earthly life is over.”

St Paul’s School for Boys, which was founded in 1943 by Father Erasme, merged with the Assumption Convent in 1990 to form Maryvale College.

The school continues to teach as an independent Catholic school. It has faced many challenges and continues to do so in today’s political and economic environment, but remains steadfast in its endeavours to educate young minds for the working world.

Principal Quinton Davids said, “Many lawyers, accountants, bankers and doctors, have begun their education under the Maryvale banner, some as prestigious and successful as the Daily Show host and comedian, Trevor Noah.”

Bishop Duncan reminded the learners in his touching sermon that not only are the children ‘loved’ by the school, they need to love themselves too and that the country needs them, not in the future but now. He continued to speak to the children about the importance of education and that the school’s motto, ‘Through learning we honour God’, is vitally important as the education they receive from Maryvale is needed for them to ‘go out’ and make a difference in our ever-changing world.

After the Mass, celebrations continued at both campuses with tea and refreshments, as well as marimbas and drum majorettes, displays and soccer and netball playoffs between primary and high school teams.

Headmistress of the primary school, Kirsten Smith, commented, “It was a day of special memories and fun that every staff member and learners will remember. A fitting celebration of the life and history of Maryvale and a perfect way to give thanks to the Assumption Sisters who had the vision to found the school and educate the children of South Africa.”

Details: Maryvale College 011 640 3061.