When Thomas Joseph Carr completed the long sea voyage from Ireland in 1887 to take up his appointment as second Archbishop of Melbourne, it would seem that the farthest thought from his mind was that 110 years later his spirit, philosophy and foresight would live on in a college which would bear his name. Students at Thomas Carr College, Tarneit are inspired by the motto on his Episcopal crest, “They will shine”. The College offers abundant opportunities for young people to be the best they are capable of becoming and to shine in ways that would make the Archbishop proud.

Thomas Carr College opened its doors at the beginning of 1997 to seventy-two year seven students who were housed in portable classrooms. Today the campus is home to over 1200 students who enjoy a learning environment which is second to none. State of the art facilities include science rooms, media and visual arts centre, technology workshops, a fully equipped gymnasium, well resourced information and communication centre, horticulture, music, drama areas, a chapel and more. Students appreciate a first class oval for football, cricket and hockey and courts for tennis and basketball.

Construction on this scale would surely have impressed the Archbishop who was a builder at heart and whose legacy includes Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. He was a man who understood the value of good schools and a good education. Sadly there was no CDF in his day. The Archbishop would have applauded the initiative which supports Catholic education and helped to build Thomas Carr College.