Wikipedia

Whitefriars College

Whitefriars College is a Roman Catholic Independent school for boys located in the Melbourne suburb of Donvale, Australia. Established in 1961, the college reflects the tradition of the Carmelites, and is recognised for its uniform's brown blazer with the college crest appearing on the breast pocket. The college has been a member of the Associated Catholic Colleges since 1999. The college was one of the first schools in Victoria to implement a notebook-computer program, which has now transitioned to a notebook-tablet program, in which every student is provided with a notebook-tablet.[citation needed]

Whitefriars College
Whitefriars College crest. Source: www.whitefriars.vic.edu.au (Whitefriars College website)
Address
Map
156 Park Road

Donvale
,
Victoria
3111

Australia
Coordinates37°47′26″S 145°12′1″E / 37.79056°S 145.20028°E / -37.79056; 145.20028
Information
TypeIndependent, single-sex
MottoLatin: Almae in Fide Parentis[1]
(In The Care of a Loving Mother)
DenominationCarmelite
Established1961
ChairmanPeter Duffy
PrincipalMark Murphy
ChaplainFr Paul Sireh
Years7–12
GenderBoys
Enrolment1,200[citation needed]
Colour(s)Brown, gold & navy blue
     
SloganBelong. Believe. Become.
School feesDomestic: $13,418–$14,934[citation needed] International: $24,770
AffiliationAssociated Catholic Colleges
Websitewww.whitefriars.vic.edu.au

House system

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The college has eight houses, each one named after a Carmelite of note. The houses are:

House name Patron Colour
Avila Teresa of Avila  
Brandsma Titus Brandsma  
Corsini Andrew Corsini  
Lisieux Therese of Lisieux  
Stein Edith Stein  
Mantua Baptista Mantuanus  
Soreth John Soreth  
Trinity Elizabeth of the Trinity  

As there is a vertical pastoral care (more commonly known as homeroom) system at the college, each house is made up of six pastoral care groups and each group contains approximately 24 students. This change was made in 2005. Each house is governed by a Head of House. Unlike other schools, students at Whitefriars College are more so responsible to their respective Head of House combined with Pastoral Care teacher, than that of their Year level co-ordinator.

Curriculum

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Whitefriars College offers its senior students the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE).

VCE results 2012-2023[2]
Year Rank Median study score Scores of 40 (%) Cohort size
2012 84 32 14.2 308
2013 140 31 8.2 289
2014 136 31 8.1 299
2015 135 31 8.3 336
2016 148 31 7.3 316
2017 184 30 5.9 289
2018 198 30 4.5 307
2019 122 31 9.3 275
2020 146 31 5.9 271
2021 128 31 9.2 274
2022 150 31 5.5 266
2023 96 32 10 262

50 years celebration

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The college celebrated its 50th year in operation from 2010 to 2011. The school received a New Chapel, Quadrangle and Classrooms to commemorate the occasion. In addition to this, some existing classrooms were also renovated. Students were also presented with a 50-year badge to be worn on their blazer lapel.

Principals

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Year Tenure Name Notes
1961–1972 11 Years Frank Shortis, O.Carm
1973–1976 3 Years Bernie McPhee, O.Carm
1977–1978 1 Year Peter Byrth, O.Carm
1978–1988 10 Years Noel Kierce, O.Carm Served as College Chaplain until 2015
1989–1995 6 Years Hugh Brown, O.Carm
1996–2012 16 Years Paul Cahill, O.Carm Longest serving Principal
2013–2017 4 Years John Finn First lay Principal
2018 1 Year Anthony Kirley
2019 1 Year Gregory Stewart Temporary Appointment
2020–2023 Present Mark Murphy

Sport

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Whitefriars is a member of the Associated Catholic Colleges (ACC).

ACC premierships

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Whitefriars has won the following ACC premierships.[3]

  • Basketball (11) – 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2019
  • Cricket (5) – 2002, 2003, 2012, 2015, 2020
  • Football (4) – 2004, 2005, 2013, 2014
  • Hockey (3) – 2014, 2015, 2017
  • Swimming (13) – 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
  • Tennis (6) – 2011, 2012, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2023

Community service

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The school has two student-run community service organisations, the Key Club, sponsored by the Doncaster-Templestowe Kiwanis, and Young St. Vinnie's. Both groups work in the school community as well as in the wider community on a number of projects. The Key Club runs a recycling drive and St Vinnie's runs a weekly blood donation drive, in which VCE students are encouraged to give blood.

Notable alumni

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Controversy

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In 2019, Whitefriars reached a confidential settlement with a student relating to accusations that the school failed to take adequate action after an older student allegedly groomed and sexually abused at least two younger boys.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "FR NOEL KIERCE Obituary" Sidney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Trend of Whitefriars College by VCE results". bettereducation.com.au. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Premiers & Champions – Associated Catholic Colleges". Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Whitefriars Sporting Alumni" (PDF).
  5. ^ "Former Member Profile Victor Perton". parliament.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  6. ^ "Whitefriars VCE Australian Politics Excursion to Melbourne City Council". whitefriars.vic.edu.au. 14 October 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  7. ^ "Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece". City of Melbourne. 2 July 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  8. ^ "Year 7 student allegedly raped by Year 12 student at Melbourne Catholic boys school". Australia: ABC News. 22 July 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
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