St Clare's College, Canberra

Infobox Secondary school
name = St Clare's College

motto = "Seek Wisdom"
established = 1965
type = Private Secondary School
affiliations = Roman Catholic
principal = Ms Rita Daniels
deputy headmaster =
chaplain =
head =
chairman =
head =
enrolment =
grades = 7–12
colours = Maroon, White, Grey and Blue
campus = Griffith
city = Canberra
state = ACT
country = Australia
website = [http://www.stclaresc.act.edu.au/ http://www.stclaresc.act.edu.au]

St Clare's College, is a private, Roman Catholic school catering girls from years 7 to 12. The college was established in 1965 and is located in the south Canberra suburb of Griffith, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. St Clare's currently has an enrolment of approximately 1200 students, making it the largest Catholic girls' secondary school in Canberra .

All students are encouraged to develop their skills and knowledge by participating in a broad academic program and in the many extra-curricular opportunities that the college offers within the context of the Catholic Tradition.

History

Originally, St Clare's College was established in 1965 as Catholic Girls' High School Griffith (CGHS Griffith). At the opening of the school, the Religious teaching staff numbered eight Sisters, comprising two representatives from each of the following congregations: Sisters of the Good Samaritan, Presentation Sisters, Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Sisters of the Society of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

The enrolment on opening day, 2nd February, 1965 was 183 girls in First and Second Forms. In 1965 CGHS Griffith accepted only First and Second Form pupils. A year was added annually until by 1969 Sixth Form was opened. In 1980, CGHS Griffith was renamed to St Clare's College, after Saint Clare of Assisi who was considered to represent an ideal of womanhood and Sister Clare Slattery the founding Principal of the College.

Principals

* Sister Clare Slattery, Founding Principal 1965-1975
* Sister Placid Tait - SGS 1976-1977
* Brother Gordon Kerr - CFC 1978
* Mr Pat Wall, 1979-1983
* Sister Joan Smith CSB, 1984-1988
* Ms Helen Sheedy, 1989-1992
* Mr Jim Peoples, 1993-2000
* Ms Rita Daniels, 2001-2006
* Mr Ian Garrity, Acting, Semester 1, 2007
* Ms Sandra Darley, Acting, Semester 2, 2007
* Ms Rita Daniels, 2008-Present

Crest & Motto

The shape of St Clare’s crest is derived from the flames of the Holy Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit described by Paul the Apostle
St Paul. Tom Bass, a Canberra sculptor and also a personal friend of founding Principal Sister Clare, was commissioned to design the logo for Catholic Girls' High School Griffith, as it was then known. The central part of the logo design represents the twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit. The colours chosen were aqua and gold on a maroon background with the motto "Seek Wisdom".

The College motto "Seek Wisdom" is taken from the Book of Proverbs 1: 2-6: "For learning what wisdom and discipline are,""for understanding words of deep meaning,""for acquiring an enlightened attitude of mind""- virtue, justice and fair-dealing;""for teaching sound judgement to the ignorant,""and knowledge and sense to the young;""for perceiving the meaning of proverbs and obscure sayings,""the sayings of the sages and their riddles.""Let the wise listen and she will learn yet more,""and the person of discernment will acquire the art of guidance".

Pastoral Care & College House System

St Clare’s College has 8 Student Houses. Each student in Years 7-10 belongs to a House based pastoral group within her year group. Senior pastoral groups are vertically structured so each pastoral group has students from Years 11 and 12.

A charity is adopted by each House for one year and through various fundraising activities the House members collect for the charity during Terms 3 and 4. The combined proceeds of this work are distributed between each of the charities and cheques are presented to representatives of these at the Charities Assembly held during Term 4. Students earn House points and medals which are awarded at the end of the year for participation in House activities and for spirit displayed throughout the year.

The eight Houses are named after Aboriginal mythological figures:
* Alinda, features a royal blue figure against a white background. Alinda the moon man strides across the sky and is invincible.
* Japara, features a purple figure holding the golden sun. Japara created fire and is related to the sun. Japara women are leaders who light the way.
* Kipara, features a terracotta bush turkey against the burnt orange of Uluru. The bush turkey women display intelligence and initiative.
* Makara, features a blue ice crystal against a white background. Makara is the home of the ice maidens who are reputed for their beauty.
* Ulamina, features the teal coloured star woman splash with her deep purple starfish. Starfish women are confident of achieving their goals.
* Wareen, features a red hunter poised with her spear and shield. The mighty hunter is renowned for her skill.
* Wibalu, features the grey boomerang against the pink sky. The boomerang belongs to the cloud women who pursue a never ending celestial battle.
* Wirana, features a green eagle hawk soaring across a white cloud. The female eagle hawk bravely defends her young against predators.

See also

* List of schools in the Australian Capital Territory

External links

* [http://www.stclaresc.act.edu.au/ St Clare's College website]