ABOUT MARIST BROTHERS LINMEYER
A WALK THROUGH TIME
1817
St Marcellin Champagnat, a priest (Marist Father, SM) from France, founded the Marist Brothers.
“Within three months he had settled his first two recruits in a small building bought with his own funds and furnished by the work of his own hands. The Institute has ever since marked the second of January 1817 as foundation day.”
Br Walton, J. 2012. Founder, in the Marist Handbook, pp 12.
1867
The first five Marist Brothers arrived in South Africa and established the first two Marist Brothers schools outside of Europe in Hatfield Street, Cape Town.
“When Bishop Thomas Grimley was appointed to the Cape, one of his first concerns was to get religious sisters and brothers to teach the children of his small Catholic community. In response to his invitation, the Cabra Dominican sisters arrived in 1863 and the Marist Brothers in 1867. The five pioneer Brothers set up two schools in Hatfield Street: Saint Aloysius’ School (financed by the colonial government) and the fee-paying Saint Joseph’s Academy.”
Br Walton, J. 2012. Arrival of the Marist Brothers, in the Marist Handbook, pp 15.
1889
Marist Brothers opened the first boys’ high school to be established in the mining town of Johannesburg, Koch Street.
“Within three years of the Witwatersrand being proclaimed a gold-mining area, the Brothers opened the first boys’ high school to be established in the mining town of Johannesburg.”
Marist History – Foundation of Koch Street.
1966
After a life of 76 years, Johannesburg’s oldest boys’ school closed its doors; but it was reopened in the following year, 1966, as Marian College, in the peri-urban area of Linmeyer to the south of the city.
Brother Christopher was the first principal and it was intended to be a Primary School, starting up with 258 boys that were transferred from Koch Street.
“The continuity of the school at Koch Street was maintained by the opening of Marian College in Linmeyer.”
Marist History – Foundation of Linmeyer.
1981
When the St Roses Convent for Girls in La Rochelle closed its doors, the parents requested that the Marist Brothers accept their daughters into the school. That’s when the Brothers came to the decision of enrolling the first girls in 1981.
The first girls were admitted to Marist Brothers Linmeyer along with three staff members, namely Mrs Venter, Mrs Casasola and Mrs Karvelas.
“I feel there must be no doubt in the mind of anyone that the final reason, the straw in the balance, which carried the ‘Ayes’ was the belief that by accepting girls in 1981 Marian College would be rendering a service to our Marist friends and interested parents in the South.”
Swanson, BA. 1980. Headmaster’s Report, in the Marist Brothers Linmeyer School Magazine.
1983
The first group of multicultural students were enrolled at Marist Brothers Linmeyer. We became a school open to all races and creeds.
“We are now into our third year as an Open School. We have adapted quickly and it is extraordinary how easily our children accept one another.”
Silcock, S. 1986. Headmaster’s Report, in the Marist Brothers Linmeyer School Magazine.
1984
We were the second school in South Africa to have the privilege to use the Toam Mobile Computer System for three weeks and we made full use of the Mathematics diagnostic programme to obtain an evaluation of each student in the Primary School.
“The major event of the year was the official opening of the new Library and classroom block by Mr Colin Waterson, a past pupil of the Brothers and a former head of Barclays Bank.”
Silcock, S. 1984. Headmaster’s Report, in the Marist Brothers Linmeyer School Magazine.
1988
We launched a successful Saturday School for one hundred and fifty matriculants from the townships.
“Among the activities which delighted me most during the year, I must include the Speakers’ Course; the Past Pupils’ Co-Worker Dinner; the Senior Dramatic Production; the Assumption Day Mass with fifteen other schools; the Drum-majorettes effort to reach the South African Championships; the successful launching of the Saturday School for one-hundred-and-fifty matriculants from the townships.”
Silcock, S. 1988. Headmaster’s Report, Marist Brothers Linmeyer School Magazine.
1989
Three Marist Schools celebrated 100 years of Marist in Johannesburg at the Standard Bank Arena.
“It has been a memorable year and in years to come the children will remember, with a great deal of joy, that they took an active part in functions such as the Mass in the Standard Bank Arena.”
Honeywell, M. 1989. Headmaster’s Report, in the Marist Brothers Linmeyer School Magazine.
1998
The Opening of our High School.
“The building of the High School is one of the greatest accomplishments of the school.”
Honeywell, M. 1998. Headmaster’s Report, in the Marist Brothers Linmeyer School Magazine.
1999
The opening of our outdoor swimming pool. We thank parents from many years ago who helped raise funds for the swimming pool.
“When is …” refers to, in southern slang, the building of the swimming pool. Well, it gives me a great sense of joy, and satisfaction, to say that the start of the “when is” happened on Tuesday, 21 October 1998. The official opening of the “when is” will be in the new year (1999).”
Bowman, J. 1998. PTA Chairman’s Report, in the Marist Brothers Linmeyer School Magazine.
2007
The opening of our school library, the Marian Resource Centre (MRC) and the Pre-School.
“We look forward to occupying our wonderful new Resource Centre and the new Pre-School at the beginning of 2007.”
Norton, GM. 2006. High School Principal’s Report, in the Marist Brothers Linmeyer School Magazine.
2014
The celebration of 125 years of Marist Education in Johannesburg.
“The three schools met recently at Sacred Heart College to celebrate mass in commemoration of the 125 years of Marist education in Johannesburg.”
2014, Marist Schools celebrate 125 years, Bedfordview News, https://bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za/400348/marist-schools-celebrate-125-years/
2014
The Wall of Remembrance was built to create a memorial to the past students and staff of Marist Brothers Linmeyer, who have lost their lives.
“A Wall of Remembrance is also to be built near the water feature at the High School.”
Saunders, B. 2014. Operations Principal’s Report, in the Marist Brothers Linmeyer School Magazine.
2015
The Marcellin Block housing the heated indoor pool, the cactic gym and music centre was built.
“On the developmental side of the school’s infrastructure, 2015 has not been an idle year for Marist Brothers Linmeyer. Once again a capital project was undertaken in the form of an indoor enclosed 25 m by 4 lane pool with a parent waiting area, office, gym and change rooms for 30 pupils. Below this structure we have eight separate music lesson rooms individually soundproofed”.
Saunders, B. 2015. Operations Principal’s Report, in the Marist Brothers Linmeyer School Magazine.
2016
The Golden Jubilee celebrating 50 years of academic excellence.
“Marist Brothers Linmeyer celebrated 50 years in Linmeyer this year. A number of activities and functions enabled us to get together as a Marist family and shares some wonderful experiences.”
Norton, GM. 2016. High School Principal’s Report, in the Marist Brothers Linmeyer School Magazine.
2020
COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic, School Closure and Distance Learning Programme
“In light of the announcement made by President Ramaphosa on Sunday, 15th March 2020, the School closure was on Wednesday, 18th March 2020 until Tuesday, 14th April 2020. After Wednesday, 15th April, should the School need to extend the shutdown period or should your family be immune compromised, we intend instituting a home-based, distance learning programme”.
MBL Exec and Chairperson of the Board. 2020. Letter to Marist Brothers Linmeyer, 16 March.
2020
The Multi-Purpose dream became a reality. This venue includes a gym in the basement under the stage, a new tuckshop venue for the High School, a gallery capable of seating 150 people and 2 additional sports offices. In terms of energy saving the roof is covered in photovoltaic panels which contribute more than 80% to the school electricity needs rain water is also captured and collected in for 10 000 litre tanks to be recycled and used the high school bathrooms.
“Finally after waiting for more than 20 years for a hall of their own, the High School will no longer have to share the existing hall that is situated on the Primary School Campus”.
Saunders, B. 2020. State of the Art New Multi-purpose Hall, in the Marist Brothers Linmeyer School Magazine.
OUR STUNNING FACILITIES
We provide and offer the following facilities that complement, enhance and broaden our students’ educational experiences:
An onsite Uniform Shop Dedicated parking inside and outside our perimeter walls
Covered, secure student waiting areas 24-hour, 7-days a week security guards
CCTV security system A Music department
A diverse resource centre that includes: A Conference Room, Auditorium, Amphitheatre, Library, Computer Room, Art Studio and an STEAM-centred Audio-Visual Room. A Multi-Purpose Hall that includes an elevated gallery, tuckshop, offices, students’ waiting area, LED stage lighting and sound system, as well as photo-voltaic panels and a rain-water capture and reticulation system
An Educational Support Centre An Aquatic and Music Centre with an indoor four-lane 25m indoor Swimming Pool
Spacious sports fields Tennis, Netball and Basketball courts
An eight-lane, 25m Swimming pool
View our video – click the play button above
Our BRAND NEW multi-purpose hall
will serve as more than just a hall!
Some of the innovations that will make this a truly multi-purpose facility include:
-
- Full-size gym
- The hall is big enough to accommodate a basketball court
- An elevated gallery that can provide tiered seating for up to 120 spectators
- Installation of the latest modern LED stage lighting and sound systems include two lazer-projection systems
- Full tuckshop
- Offices
- Enclosed students’ waiting area
- Photo-voltaic panels will allow for 85% of the high school’s daily electrical consumption
- A rain-water capture and reticulation system collects 80 000 litres of water
Cactic
Gym
Aquatic
Centre
Music
Centre
Marian Resource Centre
SCHOOL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Our School Executive Committee is responsible for the driving and implementation of all strategic plans. Operational functions include, but are not limited to, educational, spiritual, mental, physical and cultural well-being of our community and all business related functions within our school.
This body is the leadership structure within Marist Brothers Linmeyer and is responsible for formulating plans and implementing strategies as determined by the Board of Governors. All decisions are taken and implemented with the sustainable well-being of the school in mind.
The School Executive Committee includes the Principals, School Business Executive, Deputy Principals and Marketing Manager.
Mr Tony Williams
Primary School Principal
Mrs Fiona Lawrence
School Business Executive
Mrs Lara-Ann Koch
Principal High School
Mr Hylton Powell
Primary School Deputy Principal
Mrs Tracy Edwards
Marketing Manager
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Marist Brothers Linmeyer is built on a foundation of a strong Board of Governors, made up of the Principals and School’s Business Executive, a representative from the Marist School’s Council and other representatives. Members are specifically appointed to the various Board portfolios as are determined and aligned to achieve the strategy for the school. Our permanent portfolios are Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Treasurer and Governance.
Our Board of Governors members are appointed for a period of three years and may be reappointed for an additional term. Their function is to guide the strategic planning of the school and to ensure compliance of policies, strategy and good governance. Our portfolio sub-committees meet on a regular basis and report back to the Board of Governors.
Mrs Ursula Botoulos
Chairperson
Mrs Mamoso May
Deputy Chairperson and Governance
Mrs Tish Pritchard
Marist Schools Council
Dr Mark Bussin
Director of the Marist Schools
Mr Tony Williams
Primary School Principal
Mrs Fiona Lawrence
School Business Executive
Mr Lyle Robson
Diversity and Transformation
Mr Dario Neto
Alumni
Mrs Reena Magan
Board Member
Mr Darryl Poonan
Board Member
SPIRITUAL AND PASTORAL CARE
Marist Brothers Linmeyer endeavor to express our spiritual life through a formal religious-education curriculum, opportunities for reflection, celebration of the Sacraments, Liturgical celebrations, community prayer life and pastoral care outreach.
We prepare students to lead significant and purposeful lives, becoming responsible citizens, respectful of diversity. We promote the dignity, self-esteem and full development of each person who is made in God’s image and is loved by God. We are rooted in the Gospel values and the five Characteristics of Marcellin Champagnat:
OUR CHARACTERISTICS
Want to learn more about Marist Brothers Linmeyer and our characteristics?
Spiritual and Pastoral Care
Marist Brothers Linmeyer endeavor to express our spiritual life through a formal religious education curriculum, opportunities for reflection, celebration of the Sacraments, Liturgical celebrations, community prayer life and pastoral care outreach.
We prepare students to lead significant and purposeful lives, becoming responsible citizens, respectful of diversity. We promote the dignity, self-esteem and full development of each person who is made in God’s image and is loved by God. We are rooted in the Gospel values and the five Characteristics of Marcellin Champagnat:
MARIST BROTHERS LINMEYER PROMISE
Our Marist Vision
Providing excellence in Education and Gospel values within a family environment
Mission
Marist Brothers Linmeyer is committed to developing a dynamic, holistic curriculum that is relevant to the needs of our students
We will do this:
In the Marist tradition of providing love, care and encouraging hard work
By working together as a family and living out the Gospel values within a Catholic tradition
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KEEN TO HEAR MORE ABOUT MARIST BROTHERS LINMEYER?
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BOOK A VISITORS’ MORNING or SCHOOL TOUR
Visitors’ Mornings are perfect opportunities for parents/guardians to meet and engage with our staff and to learn more about Marist Brothers Linmeyer.
A personalised school tour will also showcase all that our school has to offer.
