Celebrating 165 years of education at St Vincent’s College, Potts Point

Education and Engagement Coordinator Allison O’Sullivan

Students at St Vincent’s College, 1970. Image courtesy of St Vincent’s College

This month we send our heartiest congratulations to our neighbour, St Vincent’s College. The history of the College is one that sits at the very heart of the history of the Sisters of Charity of Australia.

Founded in 1858, twenty years after the arrival of the first five members of the Congregation in Sydney, St Vincent’s College was originally known as Victoria Street Roman Catholic School. The Sisters’ aim in founding the school was that of all their endeavours in the colony: service of the poor. The infants school took local boys and girls, while the primary school took girls only. The fees were set at 1 shilling and sixpence per week, however pupils whose parents were unable to pay were educated free of charge to ensure care for the most disadvantaged in the local community. The school taught: reading, spelling, and writing; dictation; grammar; geography and history; arithmetic; singing; and needlework. The Sisters also provided religious education.

The school also acted as a strong anchor point for the Sisters in Australia. In 1859 there was debate as to whether the Congregation would continue in Australia or return to Ireland. The enthusiasm of two novices – Sister M Xavier Cunningham and Sister M Alphonsus – for the continuation of the school inspired the professed Sisters to remain in the colony to continue their work.

The school grew rapidly and expanded to include a high school which opened in 1871. A decision was made to accept fee-paying students, and in 1882 St Vincent’s Ladies College (as it was originally known) was opened. Boarders were accepted from 1884, and the College as we know it today was born.

Throughout its history St Vincent’s College has been recognised as a place of academic excellence and accomplishment for girls and young women. From 1882 students were encouraged to sit the University of Sydney exams, and in 1886 the college produced the second female student to matriculate to the university.

St Vincent’s was also renowned for its music program, in which students were prepared for the international examinations conducted by Trinity College, London. The Garcia School of Music was established at the college in 1897 and run by talented singer Sister M Paul of the Cross until her death in 1941.

Over the decades the college has produced many notable alumni in the fields of academia, medicine, sport, and the arts, and today St Vincent’s College is rightly known as one of the best secondary schools in the country.

So, congratulations to the Sisters, staff, and students who have made St Vincent’s College what it is today – and here’s to the next 165 years of excellence in education!