History

18½ûÉ«ÇéƬ Regional College was founded in 1972.

Amalgamation of Stella Maris Regional College and 18½ûÉ«ÇéƬ College took place. There were four Sisters of Mercy and eight 18½ûÉ«ÇéƬ priests on staff at this time. 18½ûÉ«ÇéƬ Regional College opened with 555 students. With the amalgamation came the new College crest.

1975

This was the last year boarders were accepted at 18½ûÉ«ÇéƬ Regional College.

1985

Sr Joan Thomas was appointed Principal replacing Fr Garry Reynolds. She was the first woman to be appointed to this position and the first female Principal of a co-educational secondary college in Tasmania.

1991

Fr Ray Chapman was Principal of the College and Sr Anne Arundel RSM was appointed as Deputy Principal, continuing the involvement of the Sisters of Mercy at the College.

1993

Fr Bill Ryder was appointed Principal of the College and served the College until 2000.

1998

The Sisters of Mercy continued to be represented on the staff of the College with the presence of Sr Kathlyn O’Brien in the role of family liaison. Sr Kathlyn began her ministry at the College in 1998 and left in March 2011.

2000

Governance of the College moved from the Society of Mary to the 18½ûÉ«ÇéƬ Regional College Governing Council, led by Archbishop Adrian Doyle, with membership made up of a representative of the 18½ûÉ«ÇéƬ Fathers, a representative of the Sisters of Mercy, Director of Catholic Education and two local representatives.

2003

Mrs Susan Chen (Acting Principal from June 2002) was appointed as the first lay Principal. At the end of the year, the College farewelled the last 18½ûÉ«ÇéƬ Father to teach full time, Fr Paul Pearce. The Colin Theatre, named after Jean-Claude Colin, co-founder of the Society of Mary, was opened.

2004

Refurbishment and extensions enabled the development of a second Home Economics kitchen and improved Metal Design and Technologies facilities. These were required as a result of increasing student enrolments.

2007

The College gymnasium, the Harcombe Centre, was opened and named after Fr James Harcombe SM. The Performing Arts Centre, Conway Hall, was opened by Dr Dan White, Director of Catholic Education. The hall was named after Sr Mary Sabina Conway RSM.

2009

The College celebrated 50 years of 18½ûÉ«ÇéƬ education in Burnie with class reunions, an anniversary dinner, College Mass, and the blessing and opening of the Geoffrey Coombs Memorial Garden. The Memorial Garden was funded by donations from the College Old Scholars.

2010

160 Year 7 students moved into the Chanel Centre. The new facility was named after 18½ûÉ«ÇéƬ father Saint Peter Chanel.

2011

Unveiling of Rahamim, a sculpture by Melbourne artist Pauline Clayton, inspired by the parable of The Good Samaritan.

2012

Opening of the Cradle Coast Trade Training Centre to cater for vocational education and training. Stage 1 of the Middle Years area, Chanel Centre, was officially opened to accommodate Year 7 students. Long serving staff member and deputy principal Richard Lakeland retires.

2013

Stage 1 of the Middle Years area, McAuley Centre, was completed to accommodate Year 8 students. The Principal of the previous 11 years, Mrs Susan Chen, retired.

2014

Mr Adrian Drane appointed as Principal. Stage 2 of the Middle Years area, McAuley Centre, officially opened and occupied by Year 8 students in Term 2.

2019

Redevelopment of the Year 9 area, named the Marian Centre, is completed and officially opened.