Parade College

History

Parade College was founded by four Christian Brothers in January 1871. They had taught for two years in a small school behind St Francis’ Church in Lonsdale Street before moving into the bluestone building in Victoria Parade. Hence the name Parade College. About one hundred boys enrolled on the first day and this number grew steadily over the years until it became necessary in 1953 to move the junior classes to a site newly acquired by the Old Paradians Association at Alphington. In 1968 further expansion was necessary and the college moved to a site of 80 acres on Plenty Road, Bundoora.

In January 2009, Parade College officially opened their Preston Campus for Years 7–12. In 2021, the school celebrated their 150th anniversary with a commemorative logo and a screening based on the school's rich history at Westfield Plenty Valley in 2022. In 2022, the school announced that the Preston Campus would become Year 10–12 only. This would take place after all the current Year 7–9 students finished.

In July 2021, Parade College announced a partnership with English Premier League side Manchester City F.C. to build a football program for selected students starting from the 2022 academic year. At the end of 2022, the school announced the implementation of Nolan House, to join the main four houses at the start 2023. Students from Year 7 and 8 in 2022 were given the opportunity to move and join the house.

The school will admit female students for the first time from 2025 for its Tertiary Pathways Program, which provides direct entry into a range of undergraduate courses at La Trobe University without an ATAR.

Curriculum

Parade College offers its senior students the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE).

Sport

Parade College is a founding member of the Associated Catholic Colleges (ACC).

ACC premierships

Parade College has won the following ACC premierships.

• Athletics (17) – 1912, 1913, 1926, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1939, 1955, 1956, 1972, 1992, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
• Basketball (16) – 1979, 1980, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2022, 2023
• Cricket (15) – 1946, 1947, 1948, 1953, 1955, 1960, 1963, 1970, 1973, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986
• Cricket T20 (3) – 2019, 2020, 2021
• Cross Country (4) – 1982, 1990, 1991, 1992
• Football (25) – 1938, 1940, 1941, 1946, 1948, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1967, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2009, 2023
• Handball (9) – 1934, 1935, 1936, 1938, 1940, 1941, 1946, 1951, 1952
• Hockey (3) – 2003, 2004, 2010, 2022
• Soccer (3) – 1994, 2001, 2002
• Swimming (12) – 1936, 1938, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1973, 1985, 1992, 1994, 1997
• Tennis (16) – 1953, 1954, 1955, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2020

Notable alumni

Alumni of Parade College are known as Old Paradians.

• Jock McHaleAustralian rules football player and coach for the Collingwood in VFL.
• General John Baker Australian Army general; Chief of the Australian Defence Force (1995–1998)
• Peter BedfordAustralian rules football player
• Mark BeersFormer Collingwood player and teacher at Parade
• Brad BoydAustralian rules football player
• Sir Bernard Callinan Australian Army officer, engineer and businessman
• Nate CaddyAFL footballer
• Blake CaracellaAustralian rules football player
• Peter CavenAustralian rules football player
• Vice Admiral Sir John Collins Royal Australian Navy admiral; Chief of Naval Staff (1948–1955)
• Trent CotchinAustralian rules football player
• Adam DaleAustralian cricket player
• Walter De Backersinger and musician – Gotye
• Richard Di NataleFormer leader of the Australian Greens and Senator for Victoria
• Ricky DysonAustralian rules football player
• Jade GreshamAustralian rules football player
• Daniel HarfordAustralian rules football player
• Peter HelliarComedian, actor, television, radio presenter, writer, producer and director.
• Gary Honeyathlete and Olympic silver medallist
• Nathan HrovatAustralian rules football player
• Ben JohnsonAustralian rules football player
• Zak JohnsonAFL footballer
• Isaac KakoAFL footballer
• Terry KeaysAustralian rules football player
• Gavan McCormackAsian languages and affairs academic
• Ben McNiece, AFL player
• Major General Jim Molan senior Australian Army officer and Senator for New South Wales
• Jarrod MolloyAustralian rules football player
• Terry Moran Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
• Massimo Murdoccaassociation football player
• Michael Kenneth Pratt George Cross medal recipient
• Andrew Robb former Howard Government Minister
• Sergio SilvagniAustralian rules football player
• Tony Sneazwellathlete and Olympian
• John Wegner German-born opera singer

References

References

1. "MACS – Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools {{!}} Lighting Their Path".
2. "Our Heritage".
3. "Instagram".
4. "Preston Campus".
5. "Our Heritage".
6. "Mancity - Parade College".
7. Kuppe, Andy. (15 June 2022). "Parade College Newsletter Issue 10 2022".
8. O'Brien, Susie. (21 June 2024). "Parade College to admit female students for landmark program with La Trobe University". Herald Sun.
9. "Trend of Parade College by VCE results".
10. "Premiers & Champions – Associated Catholic Colleges".
11. "Honour Boards - Parade College".
12. https://www.oldparadians.com.au/about/parade-college