St. Norbert College history

Abbot Pennings continued his leadership role until he retired in 1955.

In 1959, Fr Peter O’Reilly O Praem, Fr John Reynolds O Praem and Fr Stephen Cooney O Praem travelled to Western Australia from Kilnacrott in Ireland with the intention of establishing a boys boarding school in York about 100km from Perth.

In 1964, Archbishop Prendiville invited the Norbertine Canons to establish a boys school in Queens Park.

St Norbert College was officially blessed by the Rt Rev F C Colwell O Praem, Abbot of Kilnacrott, on 7 February 1965.

In 1966, two Norbertines formed the staff with Fr Anderson as headmaster.

Doctor Robert Christin, who became president in 1968, implemented the course system and the academic divisional structure.

The College expanded by one class each year until 1971 when the students of the first class began their Leaving Certificate examinations.

The College enrolled boys only until 1976 when co-education was introduced.

Becoming president in 1983, Doctor Thomas Manion brought national recognition to the college and led the expansion of facilities and the development of academic programs.

When Doctor Manion retired in 2000, Doctor William J. Hynes took the helm.

Thomas Kunkel, former dean of the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park, became the seventh president of the college in 2008.