Holy Cross College, Ryde, New South Wales

Holy Cross College
Latin: In cruce salus In the Cross (is) Salvation
Location
Ryde, New South Wales Australia
Coordinates	33°49′06″S 151°07′10″E / 33.81846°S 151.11939°E / -33.81846; 151.11939Coordinates: 33°49′06″S 151°07′10″E / 33.81846°S 151.11939°E / -33.81846; 151.11939
Information
Type	Independent, Day
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Established	1891
Founder	Br Alphonsus Delany
Principal	Mr Adam Taylor
Staff	~66[1]
Years	7–12
Gender	Boys
Enrolment	~526[1]
Colour(s)	Maroon and Gold
Athletics	MCC
Website	http://www.holycrosscollege.org/

Holy Cross College is a Catholic high school for boys located in the suburb of Ryde in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia established in the tradition of the Patrician Brothers.

History and Tradition

In 1808 Bishop Daniel Delany established in Ireland the Congregation of the Brothers of St Patrick and sought to have the youth of his native land instructed in the principles and lifestyle of the Gospels.

The Patrician Brothers arrived in New South Wales in 1883, opening a Boarding College at Ryde in 1891. The College moved to its present site in 1896. The great sandstone edifice which is now a landmark of the district gradually rose on the heights above the Parramatta River. It celebrates its 125 years of educating young men in 2016.

Motto and Crest

The Crest was designed in the early 1900s, and was installed in a stained glass window of the Oratory in the Monastery building. In 1959, a larger replica was installed in the new College Chapel.

The Crest features the Waratah and Shamrock entwined, symbolising the shared Patrician Apostolate of Australia and Ireland. In one adaptation, the Harp is replaced by the Southern Cross.

The overall design of the Crest is technically termed "Quarterly per Cross" and "Cross Fillet". The stars indicate the Southern Cross. Clockwise, from top left, the Quarters symbolise:

• The Bishop's Mitre, for Bishop Daniel Delany, founder of the Patrician Brothers (and the Brigidine Sisters).
• The Heart, as the universal symbol of love of God and mankind.
• The Book of Learning (education), as the embodiment of the Scriptures, the humanities and the sciences.
• The Harp, as the national emblem of Ireland, the country of origin of the Patrician Brothers...

Middle Schooling Program

Students entering the College in Year 7 have a core teacher who works with them in at least three subject areas. The team of core teachers work together to meld the curriculum outcomes across the several subjects they teach, thus 'buying back' class time and providing greater opportunity to engage in project-based learning, using notebook computers especially reserved for the Year 7 cohort. This approach to junior secondary schooling allows teachers to know students and their needs well and thus better cater for them. This approach to learning also encourages boys to 'learn how to learn', equipping them better for the greater independence and autonomy that come in the later high school years.

Information Communication Technology (ICT)

Higher School Certificate results in ICT have in recent years been up to ten points above State average. The College possesses extensive computer facilities, including a new state-of-the-art Technology and Applied Studies (TAS) complex. Notebook computers are widely used by students throughout the school, with the option of a purchase/lease program to assist families who with their sons to have a personal notebook for home and school.

Principals of Holy Cross College (1891 - present-day)

Notable Alumni

• Jack Renshaw - Labor Premier of New South Wales from 30 April 1964 to 13 May 1965
• Joseph Clark - Federal Parliament Member for seat of Darling for 35 years from 1934 to 1969.
• Anthony Fisher - Archbishop of Sydney, Australia, 2014
• Chris Anderson - Boarded and attended 6th form (Yr 12) 1971 while playing reserve and first grade for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
• Darren Clark - Former Australian 200m and 400m sprint champion and dual Olympic Representative at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games
• Benny Elias - Former Australian professional rugby league player for Balmain Tigers, NSW State of Origin, Australian Kangaroos
• Mark Riddell - Former Australian professional rugby league player for St. George Illawarra and Parramatta Eels
• Paul Sironen - Former Australian professional rugby league player for Balmain Tigers, NSW State of Origin, Australian Kangaroos
• Curtis Sironen - Australian professional rugby league player for Wests Tigers. He is the son of Paul Sironen
• Aaron Woods - Australian professional rugby league player for Wests Tigers, NSW State of Origin, Australian Kangaroos
• Luke Brooks - Australian professional rugby league player for Wests Tigers
• Mitchell Moses - Australian professional rugby league player for Wests Tigers
• Nathan Milone - Australian professional rugby league player for Wests Tigers

References