Salesian College, Rupertswood is a private, Roman Catholic, co-educational school located in Sunbury, Victoria, Australia.
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It is located on the grounds of Rupertswood Mansion. Set up by the Salesian Society when the mansion and its grounds were sold to them in 1927, it was originally an all-boys boarding school. In the 1950s it began admitting day students as well as catering for boarders. After Sunbury grew in the 1980s the school began to welcome girls to the school and by 1997 it had become fully co-educational and stopped student boarding.
The property is well known as the birthplace of The Ashes, awarded to the winning team in cricket test match series between Australia and England.
Rupertswood is one of the largest houses constructed in Victoria and, although now subdivided, has significant farm land. The estate also had its own private railway station and artillery battery. It is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
The school has a very wide curriculum ranging from agriculture to visual communications. It has its own sporting facilities including a 25m swimming pool, a large stadium, a cross-country equestrian course and full-size football ground facilities. The closure of the railway station, as well as the abandonment of the school's VCE Drama and Agricultural units have proved a controversial issue amongst parents and students in the past years.
The Rupertswood railway station was located adjacent to the school, and from 1962 until closure in 2004 was used exclusively by students.[1][2]
The Past Pupils Association is the alumni association of Rupertswood for all students since its foundation in 1927. This Association networks with the other Salesian Past Pupils Associations in Australia and around the world. The group aims to foster and cultivate a continuing association with the College and to build on the networks and friendships developed over the years.
During the 1970s and 1980s a number of sexual abuse crimes occurred at Rupertswood that were later brought to public attention. Following police investigation and criminal trial a number of past brothers and priests were brought to justice with successful convictions being achieved including substantial jail terms. Four clergy from the school, Michael Aulsebrook, David Rapson, Frank Klep and Peter Paul Van Ruth were charged and convicted of crimes related to sexual abuse that occurred while they were performing roles within the Salesian College.[3][4][5][6]