Shalom Catholic College
Shalom College is a Catholic secondary school in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. The College was established in 1984 by merging the Christian Brothers' College for Boys and the Loyola College for Girls. The school's current principal is Dan McMahon.[1] In 2018, there were 1380 students enrolled at the school, as well as approximately 200 staff members.[2]
Shalom College | |
---|---|
Location | |
Australia | |
Coordinates | 24°53′44″S 152°20′20″E |
Information | |
Religious affiliation(s) | Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton |
Established | 1984 |
Principal | Dan McMahon |
Enrolment | c. 1,400 |
Website | www |
Campus
The main campus is set amongst thirteen hectares (34 acres) of bushland off of Fitzgerald Street, Bundaberg. Shalom is not a selective school. While it is a Catholic school, it welcomes students of other faiths.[1] However, the school does require parents to agree to actively support its religious education program and Christian ethos.[3] Low fees are charged so as to not exclude prospective students. Entrance examinations are not a basis for selection. Shalom College's Chaverim campus of eighty-five hectares (209 acres) is located at South Bingera, twenty-three kilometres (14 miles) south-west of Bundaberg. All students are given the opportunity to use its facilities for camps and are offered various activities such as canoeing, rock-climbing or archery.[4] The land on which the school is built was donated by Walter Adams. Adams is buried in the Catholic cemetery, adjacent to the school grounds on Fitzgerald Street. The college house "Adams" was named for Adams in recognition and appreciation of his generosity.[5]
Pastoral houses
The eight pastoral houses are as follows:[5]
Name | Colour | Patron | Virtue | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Adams | Blue | Walter Adams | Generosity | Donated the land on which the college stands |
Chisholm | Lime green | Caroline Chisholm | Compassion | Assisted poor women immigrants |
Hogan | Red | Joseph Hogan | Vision | Leader in Catholic education in Bundaberg |
Lingiari | Orange | Vincent Lingiari | Justice | Activist for land rights and equality for indigenous people |
MacKillop | Purple | Mary MacKillop | Courage | First Australian saint and founder of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart |
McAuley | Forest green | Catherine McAuley | Mercy | Founder of the Sisters of Mercy |
Rice | Yellow | Edmund Rice | Liberation | Founder of the Christian Brothers in Ireland |
Walsh | Maroon | Paddy Walsh | Valour | Parish priest in Bundaberg and chaplain in Changi Prisoner-of-War Camp |
Each house has two house leaders: traditionally one male and one female.
Sports
A range of sports and extra-curricular activities are offered. These activities include soccer, basketball, softball, netball, rugby league, rugby union, rowing, surfing and tenpin bowling.[4] Shalom Catholic College is also represented in the region in events such as track and field, swimming and cross country running. SCASA, (Shalom College After School Activities) run 4 afternoons a week with students receiving afternoon tea.[4]
Alumni
- Suellen Cusack, professional singer[6]
- Simon Doyle, Australian 1500m men's champion 1990[7]
- Jack Fahey, pro BMX rider[8][9]
- Felise Kaufusi, Melbourne Storm, Queensland player
Other notable people
Gordon Rochford is a Christian brother who was with the school from its establishment in 1984 until his retirement in 2018.[10] During his time, he would greet students daily as they came into the school and appear at many school activities and events to take photos. In addition, he would also deliver bookmarks to students celebrating birthdays.[11]
References
- "Welcome". www.shalomcollege.com. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
- "Shalom College Bundaberg 2018 Annual School Report" (PDF). Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton (PDF). 11 June 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
- "Application for Student Enrolment" (PDF). Shalom College (PDF). 7 February 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
- "College Prospectus" (PDF). Shalom College (PDF). 18 February 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
- "Shalom College House List". Shalom College. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
- Flynn, Joe (30 December 2008). "Suellen's on the way to stardom". Bundaberg News Mail. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
- Marsh, Vanessa (11 February 2013). "Sporting facility is off and running". Bundaberg News Mail. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
- FAT BMX Promotions (20 August 2012). "FAT FAVOURITES list with Jack Fahey - Interviews - News". FAT BMX. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
- "Teen signs international contract". Bundaberg News Mail. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
- "100 Years Christian Brothers Bundaberg Celebrations". Shalom College. 1 March 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
- "Birthday Bookmarks Live On". Shalom College. 30 January 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2020.