Salesian College (Rupertswood)

The front of Rupertswood mansion, which is located adjacent to Salesian College's main school buildings

Salesian College, Rupertswood is a private, Roman Catholic, co-educational school located in Sunbury, Victoria, Australia.

History

The school was established by the Salesian Society in 1927, when the Rupertswood Mansion, and its grounds were purchased from the estate of industrialist H. V. McKay. It was originally an all-boys boarding school. The Salesian order's charism meant that "under-privileged" boys were included as boarders, particularly in the college's early decades.^[1] In the 1950s it began admitting day students as well as boarders. After Sunbury grew in the 1980s, girls were admitted and, by 1997, the school became fully co-educational and had ceased student boarding.

The school is located on the grounds of Sir William Clarke's Rupertswood Mansion, one of the largest private houses constructed in Victoria which is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

Today the school has a broad curriculum ranging from agriculture to visual communications, its own sporting facilities including a 25m swimming pool, a large stadium, a cross-country equestrian course and a full-size football ground.

The school was exclusively served by the nearby Rupertswood railway station, from 1962 until its closure in 2004.^[2][3]

Past Pupils Association

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.

Sexual abuse controversy

There have been a number of convictions related to sexual abuse by teachers and priests at the school, particularly in regard to offences committed in the 1970s and 80s,^[4] including: Michael Aulsebrook, gaoled for the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old student in 1983;^[5] Peter Paul van Ruth, who was sentenced to 28 months gaol in 2011 for indecently assaulting two 12-year-old boys;^[6] and Frank Klep, a former principal of the college who "...was convicted in 1994 of four charges of sexual assault relating to incidents during the 1970s."^[7]

Other priests from the college reached settlements with substantial compensation payments paid to their victims, over allegations of sexual abuse, but were not otherwise convicted,^{[8][9][10][11]} while Father Jack Ayers, a teacher and gardener at the school, was moved to Samoa after accusations were made against him.^[12]

On 26 April 2013, Fr Julian Fox, former principal, was charged with ten offences relating to assaults against students at Salesian College, Rupertswood, between 1976 and 1985, including buggery, indecent assault and common law assault. He had returned from Rome, where he had lived since accusations were made against him a decade earlier.^[13]

On 30 August 2013, Fr David Rapson, a former vice principal, was found guilty of eight indecent assaults and five rapes committed against students at Salesian College between the mid-1970s and 1990. He was remanded in custody^[14] and, on 17 October 2013, was sentenced to 13 years and will spend at least a decade in prison.^[15]

Notable alumni

• Ronald Ryan
• Peter Walsh

References

External links

• Salesian College, Rupertswood official website

Coordinates: 37°34′22″S 144°44′19″E / 37.572772°S 144.738538°E / -37.572772; 144.738538