The story of Mater Maria Catholic College began in January 1962, when the Sisters of the Good Samaritan founded a secondary school for thirty-eight girls at Narrabeen. In 1964 the College moved to Forest Road at Warriewood. From 1962 until 1990, twenty-five Good Samaritan Sisters served at the College. In 1979 the College became co-educational and in 1980 the Sisters donated the land of the College in perpetuity. Responsibility for the College was later handed to the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay and in 1990 the first lay principal was appointed.

The Commonwealth and generous contributions from the five feeder parishes of the College financed five new buildings that were opened in the period from 1974 to 1990. In addition, in 2002, the Bush ‘log’ Chapel was closed and decommissioned for substantial building works.

Many people have been involved in the College’s development, most especially a strong and dynamic parent community, a supportive and nurturing staff and of course the Sisters and successive Parish Priests. As the College enters into its next half century, the peaceful steep hillside on which the College is positioned provides an outstanding setting for students to develop and learn with freshness, innovation, community and wonder.