School Profile

St. Mary's is one of two Catholic Primary schools in the Ascot Vale parish, along with our sister school, St. Margaret's in Maribyrnong.

The area for St. Mary's School is bounded by Ascot Vale Rd. to the east, Flemington Racecourse to the south, the Maribyrnong River to the west, Holmes Rd. to the north, and the railway line to the northeast. The school property is bounded by Roseberry St. (main entrance), Ferguson St., and St. Leonard’s Rd.

St. Mary’s is near many services and facilities, including the Royal Agricultural Showgrounds, Ascot Vale Public Library, two shopping centres, and recreational facilities like Walter St. Reserve, Maribyrnong Park, Aberfeldie Park, Ascot Vale Leisure Centre, and Riverside Golf and Tennis Centre. It is well-serviced by trams, trains, and buses.

There are four childcare centres and two kindergartens nearby, as well as St. Margaret’s Primary School, two Government Primary schools, several private and Government Secondary colleges, a Language Centre, and a Special Developmental School.

The area has recently seen large residential blocks redeveloped into high-density, multiple-dwelling sites. Ascot Vale is growing, with many new families moving in. The parish aims to foster a strong sense of community, and the school supports this goal.

St. Mary’s school was opened by the Mercy Sisters in 1913 in its present premises. It was granted primary registration in February of that year. It commenced with one hundred and seventy-two students and five teachers in a three-roomed building. The sisters of the Order of Our Lady of Sion replaced the Sisters of Mercy. In the late 1970’s the first lay principal was appointed. Over the years additional accommodation was constructed to cater for the increases in student population and innovations in education.

St. Mary’s has two of each class from Prep to Grade 6 and our current enrolment is three hundred and sixty students. The school has a culturally diverse population comprising many nationalities. This diversity is an enriching dimension of our community and is embraced by all.