Monivae College

Established in 1954 by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC), the College has a reputation for producing graduates that are compassionate, relational and confident. Whilst we are proud of our great history and the achievements of so many Old Collegians, we continue to be a school of many opportunities for our current students. Many of our notable alumni have progressed in their chosen field to particularly high levels of leadership both here and overseas and often talk of their continuing sense of belonging and connection to the school.

At Monivae we aim to equip our students with enquiring minds, brave spirits and kind hearts. Situated in the heart of the scenic Western District Monivae College offers outstanding facilities and exceptional value while encouraging all to realise their unique potential.

‘Heart spirituality’ underpins all that we do. Heart spirituality is a gentle Christian spirituality that focuses on God’s love for us and our calling ‘to be on earth the heart of God’.

One of Monivae’s significant strengths is the wide range of curriculum opportunities and subject choices available to our students. Being the largest secondary provider in the region it has a breadth of offerings that caters for the very brightest academic students to those who have a vocational focus in their studies.

Our school has a focus on Positive Education and wellbeing that helps to enhance the learning experiences for our students. This assists in producing happy, confident and well-adjusted young people.

Monivae College exists to proclaim and give witness to the love of God. It has as its motto, "Fortes in Fide": Strong in Faith, and strives to create a climate in which prayer and the search for truth and meaning in life are valued and nurtured. The College aims to make gospel values real in the lives of young people, their families and the staff who serve them. The fostering of the individual spiritual development of students is an essential dimension of education at Monivae College.

While respecting all authentic spirituality, the Catholic ethos of the College with its MSC spirit is the source and focus of the spiritual development offered to students. They are encouraged to explore opportunities for spiritual growth beyond the school community, especially in family life, church communities and MSC sponsored Mission Experiences.

The spiritual development of students is especially fostered in Religious Education and Faith Development programs, in Pastoral Care, in Liturgical celebrations, and in ‘MSC In Action’ community service groups. It is implicit across the Curriculum, in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, and in the example staff give to students.

Monivae College is a Catholic independent co-educational day and boarding school conducted by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. Monivae College provides Catholic education that encourages all to realize their unique potential in a caring environment.

The Monivae Graduate is a lifelong learner who is a competent, confident and compassionate citizen with spiritual awareness and the ability to lead.

The Monivae Teacher is a lifelong learner who is a competent, confident and compassionate citizen with spiritual awareness and the ability to lead students to reach their full potential in the knowledge that Jesus loves them.

Founded in 1954 by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, Monivae College was initially established as a boys-only boarding school at the Old Monivae homestead, on the Port Fairy Road, Hamilton. Since that time, the College has grown to be the largest Catholic Co-educational Day and Boarding school in the Western District.

The following synopsis of our early history draws in part from; ‘The best you can’ - The History of Monivae College Hamilton 1954 – 2004, by Fr. John Franzmann MSC. Aptly, Franzmann’s title encapsulates the ‘spirit of learning’ that underpins a Monivae education. From humble beginnings, the College has always faced its challenges with good humour, innovation, creativity and the support and love of Old Collegians and friends of Monivae.

The one constant in the College’s unique story is the MSC Charism that continues to pervade all that we do – ‘the belief in God’s love for us and how when allowed that love will transform our lives’.

‘Monivea’ stems from the Gaelic ‘Muine-an-Mheadha’, meaning “Meadow or shrubbery of the mead”. Historically the name refers to the ffrench family estate, Monivea Castle, circa 1550, County Galway, Ireland. Situated 30km from Dublin, the Monivea Castle ruins may still be viewed today.
Forward centuries and a continent far away, Acheson Jeremy Sidney ffrench, a descendant of the original ffrench family arrives in Australia (1838). Acheson purchases a large rural estate on the Port Fairy Road, Hamilton and with a slight change to the spelling, he names the Western District property, the Monivae Homestead. In 1947 the homestead was purchased by the MSCs, on the advice of property agents who deemed it a ‘most suitable site to establish a boy’s boarding school”. Our story begins here.

Monivae offers modern facilities, including a Performing Arts Centre, Wellness Centre, Indoor Sports Stadiums, fully equipped Cardio/Gymnasium room, various sporting ovals/fields and a fully enclosed heated 25m indoor pool. Monivae is a unique and rewarding venue for conferences, events and functions of all kinds. Our facilities are available for hire after school hours, over the weekend and during School holiday periods, subject to availability. For further information or to arrange a site inspection please contact our Business Manager, Jim Bailey on 03 5551 1200.