In honour of St Marcellin Champagnat, the founder of the Marist brothers, each year the college awards Champagnat Medals to staff and students who demonstrate leadership and espouse the college motto "Strong Minds, Compassionate Hearts".

Later, St. Paul's College was founded in 1956 on Grey St by the Marist Fathers as an all-boys school.

Also in that year, the Brigidine Sisters established the all-girls school, Kildare College, on the Kosciuszko Street site.

The name Lavalla is a reference to La Valla-en-Gier, a French village that was the location of the first Marist school, opened in 1817.

This campus has also seen a new trades skills centre, purpose built Systems Engineering classrooms, upgrades to the science labs, and a modern canteen.

In 2016, Lavalla Catholic College celebrated 60 Years of Marist education in partnership with Brigidine & Presentation Sisters.