St John's College, Darwin
| St John's Catholic College | |
|---|---|
Roman Catholic | |
| Patron saint(s) | St John the Evangelist |
| Established | 1960 |
| Founder | John O'Loughlin MSC |
| Principal | Cameron Hughes |
| Years | 7–12 |
| Enrolment | ~320 |
| Campus | Salonika Street, The Gardens |
| Colour(s) | Red and gold |
| Website | www |
St John's Catholic College is an
History
Originally named St John's College, it was originally established for boys only by the Bishop of Darwin, John Patrick O'Loughlin, in 1960, on a site adjacent to the Darwin Botanical Gardens. Father John Burford MSC was appointed the first Rector of the college which operated out of buildings next to St Marys Cathedral, while building commenced. In this respect the college would continue to be operated by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. By December 1960 enough had been completed to allow the school to move into its site.[1] From 1961 and 1966 the college continued to grow, eventually welcoming the arrival of the first college boarders. In 1972 the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College for girls was opened on the Mindil beach side of the site, operated by the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.[1]
In December 1974, Cyclone Tracy devastated the college buildings and as a result reconstruction became a major focus of the college. In 1975, it was decided that the two colleges would be merged as a co-educational college with two schools, a Middle school and a Senior school. With 1975 being the college's 25th anniversary, it was commemorated by the construction of Jubilee Hall. The 1970s also saw the phasing out of primary schooling and the school head changing from Rector to Principal.[1]
In 1989 a College Board was established and St John's was confirmed as an independent school of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. However, with the departure of Principal Father Robert Irvine at the end of the 1990s, the direct association of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart within the college ended and led to the appointment of the first lay Principal, Gerard Keating.[1]
In 2009, the College was purchased by the Catholic Education Office of Darwin[2] and is now a systemic Catholic school under the leadership of the Bishop of Darwin.
Symbols
The college crest is emblazoned with an
Notable alumni
- Barry O'Farrell – former Premier of New South Wales[4]
- Maurice Rioli – Former Australian rules footballer and member of the NT Legislative Assembly[4]
- Aboriginal Australian and the first person from the Northern Territory to win an Olympic gold medal, and a former member of the Australian Senate
- Stan Tipiloura – Indigenous Australian politician and member of the NT Legislative Assembly (1987–1992)[4]
- Scott Chisholm
- Ronnie Burns[5]
- Michael Long
- Cyril Rioli
- Daniel Rioli
- Willie Rioli
- Nathan Buckley[6]
- Maurice Rioli Jr
- Andrew McLeod
See also
Catholicism portal
References
- ^ a b c d "History". St John's College. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
- ^ "Annual report 2010" (PDF). Catholic Education Office. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- ^ "Our Vision". St John's College. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
- ^ a b c "PREMIER FROM ST JOHN'S COLLEGE DARWIN". Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Australia. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
- ^ "Football production line at Darwin's St John's College continues to thrive". NT News. 3 September 2021.(subscription required)
- ^ Cunningham, Matt (27 September 2017). "Darwin's St John's Catholic College has produced five Norm Smith medallists". NT News.