Avila College
| Avila College | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
|
Mount Waverley, Victoria Australia | |
| Information | |
| Type | Independent, Single-sex, Day school |
| Motto |
Latin: Ecclesiae Filia (daughters of the Church) |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1965 |
| Principal | Louise Gunther |
| Employees | 150 |
| Years | 7-12 |
| Enrolment | 1100 (2014) |
| Colour(s) | Maroon,navy blue and white |
| Website | www.avilacollege.vic.edu.au |
Avila College is a Roman Catholic day school for girls located in the Melbourne suburb of Mount Waverley. The school was established in 1965 by the Presentation Sisters who accepted an invitation from the parishes in the Waverley area to establish a Catholic Girls' College.[1] The school identifies Saint Teresa of Avila as its patron saint, from whom the motto Ecclesiae Filia (Daughter of the Church) is derived.
History
Avila College commenced in 1965 in temporary classrooms in the grounds of St Leonard’s Catholic Primary School, Glen Waverley. The College was established by the parishes of Mount Waverley, Glen Waverley, Syndal, Mulgrave and Jordanville who invited the Presentation Sisters to administer a Catholic college to provide for families in the area.
From an initial enrollment of 110 girls in Forms 1 and 2 (Years 7 and 8) the college has grown to become one of the larger Catholic secondary schools for girls in the state with an enrollment of about 1100 students, and 150 staff.
Avila moved to its current location in Charles Street, Mount Waverley, in 1966.
Principals
Sister Patricia Carroll was the founding Principal of the College who provided strong and independent female leadership and clearly led by example, demonstrating what can be achieved through hard work, perseverance and determination.
College principals: Sr Patricia Carroll (1965–1970), Sr Raymonde Taylor (1971–1973), Sr Josepha Dunlop (1974–1979), Patricia Ryan (1980–1986), Maureen Thompson (1987–1995), Filomena Salvatore dec. (1995–2005), Liz Gleeson (2006–2010), Louise Gunther (2011–present).
Co-curricular
The College offers an exciting co-curricular program for students to pursue specific interests and/or explore new areas. The program enables students to develop lifelong skills and leadership qualities, as well as connect with other students and contribute towards the overall College and wider communities. The choices range from social justice, reconciliation and conservation groups, to Japanese animation to music ensembles, book club, public speaking and debating, and immersion trips to the Santa Teresa community in Central Australia and overseas. The school also has a brother school, Mazenod College, with which they provide events, so that the girls get to not only work along girls but also have the opportunity to work and interact with boys their age.