house system
Each student will be assigned to a House when commencing at the College. The House system encourages teamwork and friendly competition within a supportive environment.
The six original College House names derive from the Bishops who served the people of the Geraldton Diocese. Two new Houses, commissioned in 2014, take their names from Stella Maris College and St Patrick’s College, the Colleges that amalgamated in 1994 to form Nagle Catholic College.
The crests for the Houses are based on the symbols used on the Bishops’ crests and on traditional representations for Mary and for St Patrick.
The six original College House names derive from the Bishops who served the people of the Geraldton Diocese. Two new Houses, commissioned in 2014, take their names from Stella Maris College and St Patrick’s College, the Colleges that amalgamated in 1994 to form Nagle Catholic College.
The crests for the Houses are based on the symbols used on the Bishops’ crests and on traditional representations for Mary and for St Patrick.
The dominant symbol on Bishop Gummer’s crest is a sailing ship (barque) representing the Ship of Peter. The symbol of the ship represents the Church.
The Ship will traverse many dangerous waters and pass through many trials but with Jesus (as Compass) all will arrive safely. |
The Cross formed part of the crest of St Patrick’s College. The Shamrock is a small green three-leafed trefoil that resembles a clover. It is said that St Patrick used the Shamrock as a metaphor to explain the Holy Trinity to those he was converting to Christianity in Ireland.
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The Dove and the “Mystical Rose” are two of the symbols taken from Bishop Foley’s crest. The Holy Spirit, coming as a dove, is gentle and a symbol of peace.
The “Mystical Rose” is one of the epithets used for Mary. The rose represents Mary’s quiet trust in God. |
Bishop Ryan’s crest has the Griffin (Gryphon) as one of its primary elements. In antiquity the Griffin was considered a symbol of divine power and a guardian of the divine. The amalgamation of the lion and eagle denotes strength and leadership.
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The Tower is one of the features on Bishop Kelly’s crest. It is a symbol of the purity, beauty, and strength of Mary. The “Tower of David” was the strongest tower in the wall of Jerusalem. The “Tower of Ivory” is suggestive of peace and wealth. Mary is likened to both of these towers in the scriptures.
The Bishop’s Mitre is one of the symbols featured on the crest of Bishop O’Collins. His time as Bishop of the Diocese saw a growth in Catholic parishes and numbers in the clergy as well as the completion of St Francis Xavier Cathedral. The Bishop’s Mitre on the House crest is used to symbolise leadership.
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Stella Maris, Star of the Sea, is an ancient title for Our Lady, used by seafarers and others associated with the sea. The title was used to emphasise Mary's role as a sign of hope and as a guiding star for Christians. The Star was a dominant feature on the crest for Stella Maris College.
The Cross is the most recognised symbol in the Catholic Church. The Cross depicted on Bishop Thomas’s crest is ornate and similar to the Pectoral Cross that he wore that held great significance for him. The Cross is a symbol of sacrifice and salvation.
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