St Mary’s College to stop taking boys after 155 years of coeducation

For 155 years, St Mary’s College has accepted boys until grade 2, but now they’ll be strictly girls only. Story.

Banjo White, Hugh Johns, George Everard, Gabby Knaj, Judd Spotswood in grade 2 who are some of the final boys to attend St Mary's College in Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

After 155 years of coeducation, St Mary’s College will close its doors to young boys and move forward as a single sex school.

The Catholic school has, since 1868, taught both girls and boys but has made the decision to start operating as a girls’ only school.

St Mary’s College previously taught boys up until grade two, but now boys who were enrolled at St Mary’s will have to go next door to St Virgil’s College.

In a graduation address to the children, principal of St Mary’s Damian Messer said he had always appreciated the “friendship and smiles” of all of the students.

“The boys really have brought wonderful life to our college,” Mr Messer said.

“I know that you’ll still connect with the girls who are here and hopefully you’ll follow each other’s journey right through.

“Today’s about the boys, so, boys: all the very best – we’ll see you every day, most days across the fence.

Teacher at St Mary’s, Jacqueline Hanstein, said she and the other teachers had been “so lucky” to teach the cohort of young boys.

“You’re an amazing group of boys every day you bring energy and laughter and wisdom,” Ms Hanstein said.

“We are truly going to miss you, and we wish you a bright future.”