14 Feb 2021 Written By Matthew Eastley

Badge of Honour

In January 1957, when St Mary’s College became St Mary’s Grammar School and moved to its new site on Chislehurst Road, opposite Queen Mary’s Hospital, a whole new uniform was adopted. In modern parlance, you might call it a rebranding. The blazers changed from purple to black and a new badge and tie was designed. It signalled the end for this rather impressive looking crest which had adorned the blazers of boys who attended the college. It had also been proudly worn on the shirts and singlets of boys who represented the school at sport. It’s quite an ornate badge with the traditional Marist symbols of the five-pointed star above the SM representing The Society of Mary. The scroll at the bottom reads Sub Maria Nomine, which translates as In Mary’s Name. This of course also gave way to In Omnibus Labora which, as every self-respecting St Mary’s boy quickly learned, meant “We Do Our Homework on the Bus.” Thanks to Mike Crotty for the beautifully-preserved badge.