From Dundas, Australia to Viyalanmedu, South India: St Patrick’s College Fundraising Brings New Computer Lab to Marist School

A new computer lab at Marist Matriculation School in Viyalanmedu, Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), South India, was officially opened on 18 August 2026, empowering students to develop the digital skills they will need for the future.

We are deeply grateful for the generous support of the St Patrick’s Marist College community in Dundas, Australia, which has a longstanding connection with the Trichy community and Marist Matriculation School and helped make the computer lab a reality.

For many students at Viyalanmedu, who come from families whose livelihoods often depend on farming and daily labour, the new facility will provide access to technology and learning opportunities that may otherwise be difficult to access - and could be life-changing.

The computer lab is expected to equip around 30 students each year with essential computer skills. The space also has the potential to serve as a training centre for the wider community, extending the school’s educational mission beyond the classroom.

Originally established as a Marist nursery and primary school, Marist Matriculation School expanded in 2025 to offer education through Year 8, following a request from the local parent community. Grounded in Marist values, the school seeks to provide students with more than academic knowledge, fostering character, social responsibility and a sense of community.

The new computer lab is another expression of that commitment - helping young people gain the knowledge and confidence to participate more fully in an increasingly digital first world.

The project is also a beautiful example of the strength of the global Marist family. Through the support of the St Patrick’s College community in Australia and the work of the Marist Brothers in India, a local school has been given new resources to help its young people learn, grow and prepare for the future.

Along with St Patrick’s College community, we are also deeply grateful to Br Saul Placious, Br Chinnappan and the Marist Brothers in India for their work in bringing this project to life.

Congratulations to the students, staff and wider community of Marist Matriculation School, Viyalanmedu. May this new space open the door to many new opportunities for the young people it serves!