21/08/2026
Marist Staff Spotlight // Mr Blake Shanahan
This week, we shine the light on Mr Blake Shanahan, a proud Old Boy of Parramatta Marist (OBU, 2023) who has returned to the school as a member of our PDHPE team.
Now in his third year of teaching at Marist, Mr Shanahan teaches Years 7–10 PDHPE and Year 11 HMS, while continuing his studies at ACU Strathfield, completing a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) / Bachelor of Exercise Science.
Beyond the classroom, Mr Shanahan is a familiar face on the field as A-Grade Rugby League Coach, leading our top team to win their PDSSSC Grand Final in 2026. His passion for Rugby League extends beyond school, where he continues to play for the Hills District Bulls and works as a coach and trainer.
For Mr Shanahan, returning to Marist is about giving back to the community that helped shape him:
“Parramatta Marist is more than just a school for me - it’s a community and a family. As a student here, the school gave me so much and played a significant role in shaping me into the person I am. Returning to the school as a teacher provides me with the opportunity to positively impact the next generation of students just the same.”
Mr Shanahan believes that sport provides another avenue for teaching and learning, helping students develop their skills while revealing personal and leadership qualities that may not always be visible in the classroom.
From student to teacher, Mr Shanahan is now helping shape the next generation of Marist men.
