Assunta Secondary School was named in memory of an Italian nun who answered to the name of Maria Assunta Pallota.

The word 'Assunta' is of Italian origin. Its English equivalent is 'Assumption', a word which is associated with the Virgin Mary's Assumption into Heaven.

Maria Assunta Pallota was born in Italy on the 20th of August 1878. She was sent to the Institute of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) at a tender age. There, she led a secluded life in close union with God.

At the age of nineteen, Sister Maria Assunta was sent to China where she worked tirelessly and selflessly for eight years, helping the poor and needy, and tending to smallpox victims in Beijing, China during the Boxer Rebellion. Unfortunately, she died of typhoid on the 7th of August 1905, at the age of 27.

Before her body was buried, a miracle happened. A strong fragrance emanated from her body for three days. Because of the miracle and the holiness of her life, the church decided to name her "Blessed Assunta".

On the 7th of November 1954, the Pope Pius XII held a beautification ceremony for Sister Assunta in Rome which was also attended by Sister Enda Ryan, the founder and first principal of this school.

After the ceremony, the name Assunta has been used for all schools and hospitals run by FMM worldwide.