MSA Ltd is a public not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and registered with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission. Its purpose is to advance education and religion, specifically to make Jesus Christ known and loved and to ensure quality Catholic education in the Marist tradition through its schools.
MSA Ltd was formed by the Trustees of the Marist Brothers and the Association of St Marcellin Champagnat to strengthen the governance of the Education Ministry. Prior to the incorporation of MSA Ltd, the Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat Limited (MASMC Ltd, a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee) was formed by the Trustees of the Marist Brothers to provide governance as well as spiritual leadership and formation for those engaged in the apostolic works, activities and operations of the Marists in Australia. MASMC Ltd is the sole member of MSA Ltd. The fundamental aspiration of Marist education as explained 200 years ago by the founder Saint Marcellin Champagnat is ‘…to make Jesus Christ known and loved through quality education’. This is the Mission of Marist Schools Australia Limited today.
From 1 January 2022 MSA Ltd governs, manages and operates twelve Colleges in Australia and it is particularly focused on ensuring that the Colleges follow contemporary and best governance practices to maintain compliance with Australian legislation (including education legislation) and to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for students in line with the philosophy and values of Marist Education. MSA Ltd also provides professional learning, staff formation, youth ministry, and solidarity opportunities to Marist schools governed by Diocesan Catholic education authorities.
The Board of MSA Ltd consists of highly skilled and eminent Australian educators. They have appointed the National Director to undertake the operations of the Education Ministry. The National Director appoints the College Principal who conducts the day-to-day operation of the College and reports to the National Director via a Regional Director.
There are 600 Marist schools throughout the world educating young people in 80 different countries. Marist education was founded by Saint Marcellin Champagnat in 1817, in the Parish of La Valla in the Rhone Alps.