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St Augustine's College, Sydney

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File:Staugustineslogo.jpg
Vincit Veritas
(Truth Conquers)

Established 1956
School type Catholic Independent
1st Rector Fr. David Brimson OSA
Chaplains Sr Joan Infante OSA, Fr Peter Jones OSA & Fr Tony Banks OSA
Principal Mr. Tim Cleary
Enrolment 850 Students (Years 5-12)
School Colours Green and Yellow (with Red)
Location Brookvale, NSW
Website www.saintaug.nsw.edu.au/
For the school of the same name in Raleigh, see St. Augustine's College

Saint Augustine's College is an independent Catholic School for boys in year five to year twelve. It is located in Brookvale, NSW, Australia and is situated directly opposite Brookvale Oval. The school takes its name from St. Augustine of Hippo, often regarded as one of the most important figures in the development of Western Christianity.

The college is conducted and was founded by the Order of St. Augustine. The college aims to continue the Augustinian tradition of enthusiasm for learning and the love of truth amoung its students. It also encourages the development of individual strengths and aims to prepare students for their future in whatever they may choose to do, whether it may be continuing to a tertiary education or going after a life pursuit. The school also places emphasis on community spirit; students are required to take part in some kind of community work during their time at the school.

The college is currently celebrating its 50th Jubilee year and currently educates approximately 850 boys. Its sister school is Villanova College, located in Brisbane.

Patron Saint

St. Augustine of Hippo

The College is named in honour of the 4th century saint, St. Augustine of Hippo. Augustine was a key figure in the doctrinal development of Western Christianity and is often referred to as a "Doctor of the Church" by Roman Catholics. Two of his surviving works, namely "The Confessions" (his autobiography) and "The City of God", are regarded as Western Classics and are still read by Christians around the world. Augustine is often considered to be one of the theological fountainheads of Reformation, because of his teaching on salvation and grace; Martin Luther himself also having been an Augustinian friar.

History

The college was founded in 1956 as an all-boys school by the local Provincial of the Augustinians, Fr Thomas Alphonsus Hunt OSA, at the request of the then Archbishop of Sydney Norman Cardinal Gilroy. In accordance with Augustinian tradition, the friar who was head of the school was styled "Rector". Its first Rector was Fr David John Brimson OSA (1916- 2004). The title "Principal" is now used for the lay headmaster.

From its founding, like many Australian Catholic schools of its time, a significant proportion of its staff were professed religious - in this case Augustinian friars - until the order withdrew ordained teaching staff in the 1990's, and the school moved to a fully lay Catholic (cf. laity) staff in co-operation with the Augustinian order and ethos. The school taught the curriculum of the the NSW Board of Studies as well as traditional Catholic values and the Catholic approach to ethics and the moral life.

From the 1960's the school established an exceptionally strong choral tradition and boys' choir founded under the direction of musician and liturgist the Rev. Patrick Fahey OSA. Affiliated to the Little Singers of the Wooden Cross (Pueri Cantores), its four-part boys choir was nationally famous for its liturgies, interstate tours and concerts. It was the official Festival Records Boys choir and cut commercial recordings. It sang for the first visit of a pope to Australia, Pope Paul VI, in 1970. It likewise assisted in the Australian premiere of Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki's St. Luke Passion at the Sydney Opera House under the direction of Australian conductor Patrick Thomas in 1974. The performance was held in the presence of the composer. The school's liturgical choral tradition was continued vigorously through the 1970's and 80's through a regular programme of Masses, Vespers and Benediction and public concerts. The choral repertoire was extended and promoted by musicians including the Rev. Ronald Bopf OSA, the Rev. Senan Ward OSA, Peter Bohrsmann, Errol Lea-Scarlett (then Organist of St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney), Lynne Leak and Anne Sutcliffe.

Sports and Co-Curricular

Sport and co-curricular activities play a fundamental role in the life of the college. From its inception, considerable emphasis was placed on sport within the college curriculum as a means of promoting team work, sportsmanship and fair play. The College, as of now, has produced five Olympians, as well as numerous sporting professionals and state and national selected players in rugby union, rugby league, basketball, athletics, cricket, AFL, water polo and soccer.

Students, during their time at the school, are required to take part in at least two extra-curricular activities every year. The most popular choice among current students is to take part in two different sports (usually one summer sport and one winter sport). However, music, art, design, drama, chess and debating as well as Tae Kwon Do, ceramics and public speaking are also very popular choices.

The school takes part in most common Australian sports, the most popular at the College being Soccer, Rugby Union and Cricket. Rugby League is not played at the college, despite League being extremely popular among students. Ironically the college is right beside Brookvale Oval - home of the Manly Sea Eagles) - the League team for which St.Augustine's has produced so many first grade players (who transferred to League after playing Union at the school). Rugby League is still not part of the school curriculum, despite it being the most popular code in NSW. Historically, Rugby Union was the code adopted by the school as this was considered the "sport of gentlemen" at the time of the College's founding, and the code favoured by GPS Schools (NSW Great Public Schools) (which the founders of St.Augustine's admired) and the TCS Independent Schools (to which St Augustine's belonged).

Notable alumni

Clergy

Academia

Media, Entertainment and the Arts

Activism

Sport

Olympians

Rectors of the College

The Rev'd David Brimson OSA (1956-1964)
The Rev'd Steve Moran OSA (1965-1967)
The Rev'd Ralph Cameron OSA (1968-1974)
The Rev'd Kevin Burman OSA (1975-1982)
The Rev'd David Austin OSA (1983-1993)

Principals of the College

Mr John O'Brien (1994-2001)
Mr Tim Cleary (2001-

References

  • Arneil, Stan; "Out Where the Dead Men Lie" (The Augustinians in Australia 1838 -1992) Augustinian Press Brookvale (1992).

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