Penola Catholic College

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[[Image:[[Image: http://www.penolacc.vic.edu.au/About/ppenola.gif]]]]

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Penola Catholic College is a two campus secondary college based in north west Melbourne, Australia. The Glenroy campus is home to Years 7 and 8, and the Broadmeadows campus (the main campus) is home to Years 9-12. Its teachings are based upon the teachings of Mary Mackillop.

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Mission Statement

Penola Catholic College is a community of students, parents and staff guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ and inspired by the example of Blessed Mary MacKillop. Enlightened by the Gospel values of Faith, Love, Hope and Compassion, we strive to provide a holistic education which meets the needs and develops the gifts of each student. As a community we recognise that this is best achieved in a welcoming environment with a commitment to justice, service and collaboration.

Penola Catholic College strives to involve its members in the life of the wider society. Through parish participation, local community activity and appreciation of national and global issues, we endeavour to foster critical awareness, a sense of belonging and a desire to work towards God’s Kingdom of justice and peace.

Values

We seek to explore and celebrate the living Catholic tradition.

We embrace the gospel values of justice, compassion and reconciliation in the ways we relate and work with each other.

We nurture each person in the ongoing development of his/her faith.

We believe that all people should be treated with dignity and compassion respecting social and cultural appraisal.

We strive for school structures and curriculum that are just, flexible and open to critical appraisal.

We believe that all have a role to play in decision-making where collaborative solutions are sought openly.

We strive to offer the best possible education for each student.

We commit ourselves to the development of skills and talents through a broad based and inclusive curriculum.

We appreciate and foster creativity and the many forms of its expression.

We promote critical thinking and a spirit of enquiry.

We encourage individuals to discover an inner strength and direction in order to become responsible for their own actions.

We believe that all, females and male, have the right to equal opportunity to develop their full potential.

We believe in interacting with the wider community to make this region an even better place in which to live, work and learn.

We believe that students should be encouraged to be critically aware of the society in which they live.

We value all of creation and accept responsibility for the environment.

We believe that the Christian message of hope will shed light on our relationships, our learning, our appraisal of the world and our participation in the world.

Significance of College Name and Emblem The name comes from Penola in South Australia, where Blessed Mary MacKillop opened her first school. Mary MacKillop has a strong connection with the Broadmeadows site and the Broadmeadows area. Her work, reaching out to the poor and homeless, is an example to members of the College community.

The tree reminds us of the aboriginal origins of the name Penola, which means stringybark.

The three leaves symbolise the spiritual, physical and intellectual growth potential of the members of the College community. The trunk of the tree represents the Cross and points to the life of Christ as the model for members of Penola Catholic College.

The name Penola provides a unifying canopy of care, protection and security for the members of the College Community.

History

Penola Catholic College had its beginnings when, in 1991, the Parish Priests of the eight member parishes of the region, decided on the formation of one Board for the three Colleges – Therry, Sancta Sophia and Geoghegan – which had served the Catholic Community in this North Western Region of Melbourne of over twenty years. The College officially opened in 1995.

Cirriculm

Penola is known for its wide range of Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) studies which many of its students have used to great success.

The needs of the gifted students are addressed through a rich and varied co-curricular program, an enhancement program, and the Discovery program for Years 7-9 which gives students with special abilities the opportunity to develop high level thinking skills primarily in the areas of Mathematics and Science. Our gifted Year 12 students have the opportunity to engage in specified university studies conducted through the universities for high achieving students. The College offers a very rich VCE experience for all students who have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of subjects including the Vocational Education and Training (VET) options.

College House System

The House System was officially introduced into the College in 2001. The aim of the House System is to develop a sense of pride and tradition throughout the students' College life at Penola. It aims to build a sense of community and nurture relationships between staff and students within the co-curricular and pastoral programs. The names of the College houses are linked to the College's rich and inherent past, as well as making a connection with its present establishment.

Nolan House

Nolan House is named after Sister Lavinius Nolan who was a sister of St. Joseph. After many years of teaching, Sister Lavinius came to St. Josephs' Founding Home in 1931 where she remained in charge for a period of six years. There she established the Mothercraft Training School which provided excellent training facilities for nurses involved in the care of young children.

Geoghegan House

Geoghegan House is named after one of the former Colleges which closed to form Penola Catholic College in 1995. Geoghegan College, which was named after Father Patrick Bonaventure Geoghegan, the priest responsible for establishing the first Catholic Mission in Melbourne, was a secondary co-educational College until its closure in 1994.

MacKillop

Mackillop House is named after blessed Mary Mackillop who was the founder of the sisters of St. Joseph. In 1901 she established the St. Joseph Founding Home in Broadmeadows. The home provided care for young women and their babies. The Broadmeadows Campus is built on the grounds of the original babies Home.

Sancta Sophia

Sancta Sophia House is named after one of the former colleges which closed to form Penola Catholic College in 1995. "Sancta Sophia" which means "Holy Wisdom" was administered by the Sisters of Charity and educated girls from 1967 until its closure in 1994.

Smyth

Smyth House is named after Mr. Thomas J. Smyth, the founding principal of Penola Catholic College. Mr Smyth oversaw the necessary planning in the early years to establish the College as a vibrant, educational institution, bearing witness to the Gospel. Mr. Smyth retired in 2001

Therry

Therry College, which was named after Father John Joseph Therry, a Missionary Priest, was administered by the Christian Brothers and educated boys until its closure in 1994

College Captains

1995 - Kathryn Caruana & John Domantay

1996 -

1997 - Louise Roach & Michael Vandenberg

1998 - Amanda Bryan & Ephraim Mrad

1999 - Carol Carrascalao & Ben Punton

2000 - Sylvia Szepietowska & Chris Stock

2001 - Erin Bonavia & Daniel Whykes

2002 - Kirsty Barger & Matthew Southwell

2003 - Merlin Van Estrop & Ryan Cameron

2004 - &

2005 - &

2006 - &

2007 - Belinda Pitts & David Chesher

Alumni - Penola Collegians Association

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The Penola Collegians’ Association (P.C.A.) is an alumni for all staff and former students of Penola Catholic College. The aim of the P.C.A. is to allow all students who have attended Penola to maintain links to the College community. These links include social support, business networks, mentoring and other opportunities whilst continuing to embrace the values of the Catholic faith in the spirit of Blessed Mary MacKillop.

Sport

Penola is represented in the Victorian Amateur Football Association by Therry Penola Old Boys.