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| image                  = St-Catherines.jpg
| image                  = St-Catherines.jpg
| alt                    =  
| alt                    =  
| caption                = McBride Hall, the main building of the school
| caption                = McBride Hall, a building of the school
| motto                  = {{lang-la|Sapientia aurum praeferat}}
| motto                  = {{lang-la|Sapientia aurum praeferat}}{{efn|name=motto}}
| motto_translation      = Wisdom over gold
| motto_translation      = Wisdom over gold
| address                = 24 Victoria St
| address                = 24 Victoria St
| location              = [[Westminster, Emmington|Westminster]], [[Emmington]], [[Septentria]]
| location              = [[Westminster, Anningdon|Westminster]], [[Anningdon]], [[Septentria]]
| postcode              = SP3400
| postcode              = [[Postal codes in Septentria|3400]] [[Septentria|SR]], [[Insulamia]]
| country                = {{flag|Insulamia}}
| other_name            =  
| other_name            =  
| former_name            = St. Catherine's Catholic College for Girls
| former_name            = St. Catherine's Catholic College for Girls
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| newspaper              =  
| newspaper              =  
| yearbook              =  
| yearbook              =  
| affiliations          = [[Septentrian Catholic Schools Association]], Sporting Schools Septentria, Emmington Union of Schools
| affiliations          = [[Septentrian Catholic Schools Association]], [[Sporting Schools Septentria]], [[Anningdon Union of Schools]]
| website                = {{URL|nationstates.net/insulamia|stcatherinescollege.org.ia}}
| website                = {{URL|nationstates.net/insulamia|stcatherinescollege.edu.ia}}
| footnotes              =  
| footnotes              =  
}}
}}
'''St. Catherine's College''', often simply referred to as '''St. Catherine's''' or '''St. C's''', is a [[Semi-independent school|semi-independent]] {{wp|Catholicism|Catholic}} {{wp|Day school|day}} and {{wp|boarding school}} in [[Westminster, Septentria|Westminster]], a central district of [[Emmington]], [[Septentria]], [[Insulamia]]. As of 2022, it caters for 1,226 students from [[Education in Insulamia#School grades|grade 1 to grade 12]].
'''St. Catherine's College''', often simply referred to as '''St. Catherine's''', '''St. C's''', or '''SCC''', is a [[Semi-independent school|semi-independent]] {{wp|Catholicism|Catholic}} {{wp|Day school|day}} and {{wp|boarding school}} in [[Westminster, Septentria|Westminster]], a central district of [[Anningdon]], [[Septentria]], [[Insulamia]]. As of 2022, it caters for 1,226 students from [[Education in Insulamia#School grades|grade 1 to grade 12]].


The {{wp|Sisters of Mercy}}, a Catholic {{wp|religious institute}}, founded the school in 1897 as '''St. Catherine's Catholic College for Girls'''. It was initially a girls' boarding school, and its first headmaster was Sister Mary-Anne McBride, a member of Sisters of Mercy. It opened up to day students in 1925. Under the [[Act Against Educational Discrimination]] of 1974, the school started accepting males and became a [[semi-independent school]]—substantially government-funded and {{wp|Tuition payments|tuition}}-free.
The {{wp|Sisters of Mercy}}, a Catholic {{wp|religious institute}}, founded the school in 1897 as '''St. Catherine's Catholic College for Girls'''. It was initially a girls' boarding school, and its first headmaster was Sister Mary-Anne McBride, a member of Sisters of Mercy. It opened up to day students in 1925. Under the [[Act Against Educational Discrimination]] of 1974, the school started accepting males and became a [[semi-independent school]]—substantially government-funded and {{wp|Tuition payments|tuition}}-free.


Although it does not charge tuition, St. Catherine's still has a {{wp|Selective school|selective enrolment policy}}, contributing to its reputation as one of the top-performing schools by academics in Septentria. It offers the {{wp|International Baccalaureate}} programme and its accompanying {{wp|IB Primary Years Programme|Primary Years Programme}}. Some of its notable alumni include [[Elizabeth Cartright]], the first and only female [[primeminister of Insulamia]], and [[Helen-Mary Askey]], the head of [[National Rail (Insulamia)|National Rail]] between 1998 and 2013. In 2007, the [[Heritage Registry of Septentria]] listed McBride Hall and the Emilia Walsh Tower in the school as provincial heritage sites.
Although it does not charge tuition, St. Catherine's still has a {{wp|Selective school|selective enrolment policy}}, contributing to its reputation as one of the top-performing schools by academics in Septentria. It is a partner school with the {{wp|International Baccalaureate}}, and is also associated with the [[Septentrian Catholic Schools Association]], Sporting Schools Septentria, and the Anningdon Union of Schools. Some of its notable alumni include [[Elizabeth Cartright]], the first and only female [[primeminister of Insulamia]], and [[Aisling McKeown]], the current captain of the [[Insulamia women's national football team]]. In 2007, the [[Heritage Registry of Septentria]] listed McBride Hall and the Emilia Walsh Tower in the school as provincial heritage sites.


==History==
==History==
[[File:St. Catherines College - 1916.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|alt=Old photograph of building|McBride Hall in 1916]]
[[File:Mary-Anne McBride.jpg|thumb|upright=0.5|alt=Old photograph of nun|Sister Mary-Anne McBride, the founder of the school]]
St. Catherine's Catholic College for Girls was founded in 1897 with support from the {{wp|Sisters of Mercy}}, a {{wp|religious congregation}} of the {{wp||Catholic Church|Roman Catholic Church}} originating in {{wp|Dublin}}, {{wp|Ireland}}. It was the first Catholic school for girls in [[Septentria]]. Sister Mary-Anne McBride, a member of the Sisters of Mercy, was the main proponent for establishing the school and became its first {{wp|Head teacher|head}}. Initially, McBride had planned on constructing the school on an estate in [[Lambeth, Septentria|Lambeth]], but later settled on the current site in [[Westminster, Septentria|Westminster]], across the [[river Flear]]. In 1925, the school opened up to day students, adding two new day houses to complement the two existing boarding houses. Two more day houses were established in 1961.
St. Catherine's Catholic College for Girls was founded in 1897 with support from the {{wp|Sisters of Mercy}}, a {{wp|religious congregation}} of the {{wp||Catholic Church|Roman Catholic Church}} originating in {{wp|Dublin}}, {{wp|Ireland}}. It was the first Catholic school for girls in [[Septentria]]. Sister Mary-Anne McBride, a member of the Sisters of Mercy, was the main proponent for establishing the school and became its first {{wp|Head teacher|head}}. Initially, McBride had planned on constructing the school on an estate in [[Lambeth, Septentria|Lambeth]], but later settled on the current site in [[Westminster, Septentria|Westminster]], across the [[Finavon]]. In 1925, the school opened up to day students, adding two new day houses to complement the two existing boarding houses. Two more day houses were established in 1964.


Following the passing of the [[Act Against Educational Discrimination]] (AAED) through the [[Parliament of Septentria]] in 1974, St. Catherine's was mandated to allow all sexes to attend. Thus, it removed the phrase ''for Girls'' in its name, and removed the word ''Catholic'' with the name change too (though the school would remain Catholic). The AAED also had St. Catherine's transition into a [[semi-independent school]], becoming heavily funded by the state (while keeping donations as a source of income) and waiving its {{wp|Tuition payments|tuition fees}}. The school's {{wp|Board of education|board}}, along with the [[Septentrian Catholic Schools Association]], protested the act, even after its passing and codification.
[[File:St. Catherines College - 1916.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|alt=Old photograph of building|left|School Hall (now McBride Hall) in 1916]]Following the passing of the [[Act Against Educational Discrimination]] (AAED) through the [[Parliament of Septentria]] in 1974, St. Catherine's was mandated to allow all sexes to attend. Thus, it removed the phrase ''for Girls'' in its name, and removed the word ''Catholic'' with the name change too (though the school would remain Catholic). The AAED also had St. Catherine's transition into a [[semi-independent school]], becoming heavily funded by the state (while keeping donations as a source of income) and waiving its {{wp|Tuition payments|tuition fees}}. The school's {{wp|Board of education|board}}, along with the [[Septentrian Catholic Schools Association]], protested the act, even after its passing and codification.


In 1976, St. Catherine's built an off-campus sports facility in [[Tacuja, Septentria|Tacuja]], an outer suburb of Emmington. The school underwent a major expansion in 1990, gaining four new buildings and new land purchased from neighbouring properties. For its centenary in 1997, the school's chapel was renovated and expanded. Between 2015 and 2017, many school buildings were refurbished alongside facilities at the sporting centre in Tacuja.
In 1976, St. Catherine's built an off-campus sports facility in [[Tacuja, Septentria|Tacuja]], an outer suburb of Anningdon. After the [[1988 Finavon floods]], several school buildings were damaged and one building, Dalton-Adams, was completely demolished and rebuilt. The school underwent a major expansion in 1990, gaining two new buildings and new land purchased from neighbouring properties. For its centenary in 1997, the school's chapel was renovated and expanded. In 2012, a new boarding facility was constructed to accomodate the steadily growing number of boarders. Between 2015 and 2017, many school buildings were upgraded alongside facilities at the sporting centre in Tacuja.


In the years of 2009 and 2018, St. Catherine's achieved the highest results in the country on the [[INEE]] national {{wp|Standardized test|standardised}} academic assessment.
===List of heads===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Period as head !! Name !! Image !! Notes
|-
| 1897–1920 || Sister Mary-Anne McBride {{wp|Sisters of Mercy|RSM}} || [[File:Mary-Anne McBride.jpg|150px]] || Founder of the school and a Catholic {{wp|nun}} in the {{wp|Sisters of Mercy}}. Resigned in 1920 due to ill health and died two years later.
|-
| 1920–1946 || Sister Jane O'Neill RSM || [[File:Sister O Neill crop.jpg|150px]] || Also a nun in the Sisters of Mercy. Namesake of the O'Neill building and the O'Neill day house of the school. Longest-serving head in the history of the school.
|-
| 1946–1950 || Mother Elisabeth Heath || - || Died in an accident during tenure.
|-
| 1950–1951 || ''No head'' || - || The school had no head between November 1950 and January 1951.
|-
| 1951–1963 || [[John James Goodson]] [[Royal Insulamian Society of Education|FRISE]] || [[File:JJ Goodson.jpg|150px]] || ''Jean-Jacques Beaufils'' in French. First male head and first [[French Insulamians|French-Insulamian]] head of the school. The school's Goodson Hall and Goodson House are named after him.
|-
| 1963–1974 || Quentin Blanchfield || [[File:Quentin Blanchfield Head of SCC painting.jpg|150px]] || Resigned in protest of the [[Act Against Educational Discrimination]] in 1974.
|-
| 1974 || ''No head'' || - || The school went without a head again between February 1974 and December 1974.
|-
| 1974–1992 || Sister Hilda Murray || [[File:Hilda Murray Head of SCC painting.jpg|150px]] || Also a nun in the Catholic Church.
|-
| 1992–2005 || Laura Jones || - || -
|-
| 2005–2021 || [[Thomas Darcy]] || [[File:Thomas Darcy trial.jpg|150px]] || Resigned in 2021 due to allegations of {{wp|sexual abuse}}. See [[#Thomas Darcy scandal]] for further information.
|-
| 2021–present || Sarika Luthra || - || Second-generation [[Indian Insulamians|Indian]] immigrant and first non-White head of the school.
|}


==Symbols==
==Symbols==
[[File:Caravaggio_-_Saint_Catherine_of_Alexandria_(post-restoration_image).jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|{{wp|Catherine of Alexandria|Saint Catherine}}, the {{wp|patron saint}} of the school. This painting was created {{wp|Caravaggio}} in 1598.]]
[[File:Caravaggio_-_Saint_Catherine_of_Alexandria_(post-restoration_image).jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|{{wp|Catherine of Alexandria|Saint Catherine}}, the {{wp|patron saint}} of the school. This depiction was painted by {{wp|Caravaggio}} in 1598.]]
===Colours===
===Colours===
The colours of St. Catherine's College are {{wp|crimson}} and {{wp|Gold (color)|gold}}. They feature on the school's logo and uniform.
The colours of St. Catherine's College are {{wp|crimson}} and {{wp|Gold (color)|gold}}. They feature on the school's logo and uniform.
===Motto===
===Motto===
"''Sapientia aurum praeferat''" ({{wp|Latin phonology and orthography|Latin pronunciation}}: {{IPAc-la|s|a|.|p|i|ˈ|e|n|.|t|i|.|a|_|ˈ|a|u|.|r|u|m|_|p|r|ae|ˈ|f|e|.|r|a|t}}) is the {{wp|Latin#Use of Latin for mottos|Latin-language motto}} of St. Catherine's College. It roughly translates to "Wisdom over gold" or "Wisdom is better than gold" in English. This references the {{wp|Chapters and verses of the Bible|biblical verse}} {{wp|Proverbs 16|Proverbs 16:16}}{{efn|name=proverbs}}.
''Sapientia aurum praeferat''{{efn|name=pronunciation}} is the {{wp|Latin#Use of Latin for mottos|Latin-language motto}} of St. Catherine's College. It roughly translates to "Wisdom over gold" or "Wisdom is better than gold" in English. This references the {{wp|Chapters and verses of the Bible|biblical verse}} {{wp|Proverbs 16|Proverbs 16:16}}{{efn|name=proverbs}}.
===Patron saint===
===Patron saint===
{{wp|Catherine of Alexandria|Saint Catherine of Alexandria}}, the {{wp|patron saint}} and namesake of the school, was a Christian {{wp|martyr}} who lived in the late 3rd century and the early 4th century. She was chosen by Sister Mary-Anne McBride for her associations and patronages with schoolchildren and girls. Saint Catherine's hometown, {{wp|Alexandria}}, is the name of the school's yearbook.
{{wp|Catherine of Alexandria|Saint Catherine of Alexandria}}, the {{wp|patron saint}} and namesake of the school, was a Christian {{wp|martyr}} who lived in the late 3rd century and the early 4th century. She was chosen by Sister Mary-Anne McBride for her associations with schoolchildren and girls. Saint Catherine's hometown, {{wp|Alexandria}}, is used as the name of the school's {{wp|yearbook}}.
 
===Logo===
===Logo===
The {{wp|logo}} or the {{wp|coat of arms}} of St. Catherine's College is a shield featuring a depiction of Saint Catherine holding a sword and a book on a shield. The shield has a crimson background and a golden cross, representing the school's {{wp|Christianity|Christian}} faith. Above the shield is a book with radiating rays, representing education. The motto of the school is inscribed on a scroll below the shield; it is in all capitals with the letter "U" being replaced with "V", and the {{wp|Digraph (orthography)|digraph}} "AE" is replaced with the {{wp|Ligature (writing)|ligature}} "{{wp|Æ}}". The whole logo uses a gold and crimson colour scheme, which are the colours of the school. It is officially {{wp|Blazon|blazoned}}:
The {{wp|logo}} or the {{wp|coat of arms}} of St. Catherine's College is a shield featuring a depiction of Saint Catherine holding a sword and a book. The shield has a crimson background and a golden cross, representing the school's {{wp|Christianity|Christian}} faith. Above the shield is a book with radiating rays, representing education. The motto of the school is inscribed on a scroll below the shield; it is in all capitals with the letter "U" being replaced with "V", and the {{wp|Digraph (orthography)|digraph}} "AE" is replaced with the {{wp|Ligature (writing)|ligature}} "{{wp|Æ}}". The whole logo uses a gold and crimson colour scheme, which are the colours of the school. It is officially {{wp|Blazon|blazoned}}:
{{blockquote|''Sanguine, a cross Sanguine fimbriated Or, a depiction of Saint Catherine Or, holding in her dexter hand a sword Or, and in her sinister hand a book Or; for a Crest, upon a torse Sanguine and Or, an open book Sanguine irradiated Or; for a Motto, "SAPIENTIA AVRVM PRÆFERAT".''}}
{{blockquote|''Sanguine, a cross voided, a depiction of Saint Catherine holding in her dexter hand a sword and in her sinister hand a book, all Or; for a Crest, upon a torse of the field and the cross, an open book of the field irradiated of the cross; for a Motto, "SAPIENTIA AVRVM PRÆFERAT".''}}
The {{wp|wordmark}} of the school features the logo besides text reading "ST. CATHERINE'S COLLEGE" and "WESTMINSTER" a line below, in a {{wp|Serif|serif typeface}}.
The {{wp|wordmark}} of the school features the logo besides text reading "ST. CATHERINE'S COLLEGE" and "WESTMINSTER" a line below, in a {{wp|Serif|serif typeface}}.


==Campus==
==Campus==
[[File:St-Catherines-2020.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|The grounds of SCC, with the school's chapel in the foreground and the Elisabeth Heath Library in the background]]
SCC's main campus is located at 24 Victoria St, [[Westminster, Anningdon|Westminster]] [[Postal codes in Septentria|3400]] [[Septentria|SR]], [[Insulamia]]. It consists of 13 buildings, one grass field, two tennis courts, and one aquatic centre. There are 82 classrooms in total, located within the buildings of Alba, Dalton-Adams, the Martorell Science Centre, O'Neill, and Tuesley. SCC's three boarding houses, May, McAuley and Tachacat, have selfnamed dormitories.
The Elisabeth Heath Library is the current library of St. Catherine's, having replaced the old library in 2016. The Rachel Tett Sporting Centre was built in 1979 and consists of two indoor fields and a gym. Prior to 1990, the school's assemblies had been held in the Daphne Russell Theatre, but since the construction of Goodson Hall, they have been held there instead. The school's chapel was built in 1902, and its interior was extensively renovated in 1997. It is relatively small, and most religious services that require more accommodation are held in Goodson Hall or the nearby [[St. Andrew's Cathedral, Westminster|St. Andrew's Cathedral]]. McBride Hall (formerly ''School Hall'' until 1923) was once the main building of the school, however, it has transitioned into its current state as a museum and an office space for staff.
In 2007, McBride Hall and the Emilia Walsh Tower became provincial heritage sites under the [[Heritage Registry of Septentria]]. Following its construction in 1990, Goodson Hall was awarded the Collins Award for the Best Educational Structure by the [[Royal Architectural Society of Insulamia]].
===Tacuja Sporting Grounds===
The St. Catherine's College Tacuja Sporting Grounds, sometimes referred to as SCC Tacuja, is located in the district of [[Tacuja, Septentria|Tacuja]] on the outskirts of [[Anningdon]]. It is 9.2 km (5.7 mi) away from the main campus. There are four multi-purpose fields on the site, all of which are used for {{wp|Association football|football}}, [[Insulamian football|déto]], {{wp|cricket}}, and {{wp|rugby union}}. There are also facilities for {{wp|track and field}} at SCC Tacuja, including a {{wp|running track}} and a {{wp|long jump}} pit.
==Academics==
==Academics==
St. Catherine's College educates students between [[Education in Insulamia#School grades|grades 1 to 12]]. It is affiliated with the {{wp|International Baccalaureate}} and offers the {{wp|IB Primary Years Programme}}, the {{wp|IB Middle Years Programme}}, and the {{wp|IB Diploma Programme}}. It also offers a curriculum based on the one of [[Septentria Curriculum Authority]]. The school has a {{wp|Selective school|selective enrolment policy}}, with various criteria and an examination to assess prospective students.
In the years 2009 and 2018, St. Catherine's achieved the highest results in the country on the [[INEE]] national {{wp|Standardized test|standardised}} academic assessment. It was ranked the best school academically in Septentria by ''[[The Dorchester Mail]]'' in 2010.
==Extracurricular==
==Extracurricular==
St. Catherine's College has an extensive extracurricular programme. It offers {{wp|basketball}}, {{wp|chess}}, {{wp|cricket}}, {{wp|Debate#Competitive debating|debating}}, [[Insulamian football|déto]], {{wp|Association football|football}}, {{wp|netball}}, {{wp|rugby union}}, {{wp|Swimming (sport)|swimming}}, {{wp|tennis}}, {{wp|track and field}}, and {{wp|volleyball}}. The school competes mainly in tournaments run by the [[Anningdon Union of Schools]] and [[Sporting Schools Septentria]], but also partakes in various other sport-specific competitions.
Extracurricular programmes in music and the arts are also available to students at St. Catherine's. Additionally, the school organises {{wp|community service}} activities, and is an authorised operator of the {{wp|Duke of Edinburgh Awards}}. {{wp|Student exchange program|Student exchange programmes}} with schools in [[Auria]], {{wp|Germany}}, {{wp|Spain}}, {{wp|Japan}}, and {{wp|Algeria}} are also offered at the school.
==House system==
==House system==
St. Catherine's College has a {{wp|house system}} like many other schools in Insulamia. There are nine houses in total, with three boarding houses and six day houses. Houses are compared in areas such as academic grades and behaviour, and they compete in interhouse contests in {{wp|chess}}, {{wp|cross country running}}, {{wp|general knowledge}}, {{wp|Spelling bee|spelling}}, and {{wp|Swimming (sport)|swimming}}. At the end of each school year, points earned throughout the year are tallied, and the house with the most points wins the L. L. Smith House Cup.
===Boarding houses===
===Boarding houses===
====O'Neill====
The two boarding houses of McAuley and Tachacat were the first houses of the school and, subsequently, the oldest houses of the school. They both take their names from actual buildings of the school—their respective dormitories. The house system was officially established in 1912, though students of the two buildings had fostered a friendly rivalry before that. In 2012, May House was created with the inauguration of the May building.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! House name !! Colours !! Motto !! Founding year
|-
| [[#May|May]] || {{colour box|#ffa800}}{{colour box|#000000}}<br/>Yellow and black || ''For Excellence'' || 2012
|-
| [[#McAuley|McAuley]] || {{colour box|#ffffff}}{{colour box|#d00000}}<br/>White and red || ''Compassion and Courage'' || 1897
|-
| [[#Tachacat|Tachacat]] || {{colour box|#008000}}{{colour box|#ffffff}}<br/>Green and white || ''Faber Est Suae Quisque Fortunae'' || 1897
|}
 
====May====
May House is the youngest boarding house, having been founded in 2012 with the opening of its dormitory building of the same name. Its namesake is [[Leroy May]], an alumnus of the school. Yellow and black are its colours, and ''For Excellence'' is its motto.
 
====McAuley====
McAuley was one of the original two houses of the school. It was named after {{wp|Catherine McAuley}}. She was the founder of the {{wp|Sisters of Mercy}}, the Catholic {{wp|religious institute}} that created the school. The house's colours are white and red, and its motto is ''Compassion and Courage''.
 
====Tachacat====
====Tachacat====
A founding house of St. Catherine's, Tachacat is a boarding house that occupies the dormitory complex of the same name. The name "Tachacat" originated from the name of the estate that previously occupied the land where St. Catherine's College lies today. Though it is almost certain that "Tachacat" comes from a [[Kukin language|Kukin]] word, it is unclear which. A popular theory amongst the house is that the name was derived from the word ''tacazatak'' (pronounced {{respell|ta|CHA|tsa|tak}}), meaning "rainbow", but this is not confirmed.
The colours of Tachacat House are green and white, which represent the land and purity respectively. Its motto is ''Faber Est Suae Quisque Fortunae'', a {{wp|List of Latin phrases|Latin phrase}} often translated as "Every man is the artisan of his own fortune". The colours and the motto feature on the house's {{wp|coat of arms}}, which is {{wp|Blazon|blazoned}}: "''Vert, a chevron Argent between by three suns Proper.''"
===Day houses===
===Day houses===
====Dublin====
The first two day houses, Lucia and McBride, were created in 1925 when the school started accepting day students. For many years, these day houses were growing much bigger than the boarding houses. However, the school was adamant on maintaining the symmetry of two boarding houses and two day houses. The problem soon became too great to ignore, and in 1964, under Quentin Blanchfield's headship, St. Catherine's established two more day houses—Auchmuty and Goodson. In 2012, another day house, Cartright, was established along with the boarding house May.
====Eleanor====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! House name !! Colours !! Motto !! Founding year
|-
| [[#Auchmuty|Auchmuty]] || {{colour box|#00d0c0}}{{colour box|#806000}}<br/>Turquoise and brown || ''In Caritate et Humilitate Servire'' || 1964
|-
| [[#Cartright|Cartright]] || {{colour box|#000080}}{{colour box|#ffa800}}{{colour box|#d00000}}<br/>Navy blue, yellow, and red || ''Forwards Together'' || 2012
|-
| [[#Goodson|Goodson]] || {{colour box|#d00000}}{{colour box|#ffa800}}<br/>Red and yellow || ''Fortitudo in Unitate'' || 1964
|-
| [[#Lucia|Lucia]] || {{colour box|#0080ff}}{{colour box|#bbaa00}}<br/>Light blue and gold || ''Deus Lucet in Tenebris'' || 1925
|-
| [[#McBride|McBride]] || {{colour box|#0040a0}}<br/>Blue || ''Fide Progredimur'' || 1925
|}
 
====Auchmuty====
Auchmuty House was established with Goodson House in 1964. It is named for [[Lindsay Auchmuty]], a former Judge of the Septentria Supreme Court and a significant supporter of the school. Its colours are {{wp|turquoise}} and brown, based on the colours of Auchmuty's personal arms which are also used as the arms of the house. The motto of the house is ''In Caritate et Humilitate Servire'', meaning "Serve With Love and Humility", a reference to {{wp|Galatians 5|Galatians 5:13}}.{{efn|name=galatians}}
 
====Cartright====
Cartright is the youngest day house in the school. Established in 2012 alongside the boarding house May, it is named after [[Elizabeth Cartright]], the [[List of primeministers of Insulamia|14th]] [[primeminister of Insulamia]] and the only woman ever to hold that position. Elizabeth Cartright, a graduate of the school, visited St. Catherine's at the start of the 2012 school year to to officially christen the house. The coat of arms of the house features a {{wp|cart}} on the {{wp|Dexter and sinister|dexter}}{{efn|name=cant}} and a star on the sinister. The colours of the house are navy blue, yellow, and red, representing Elizabeth Cartright's service to [[Insulamia]] and {{wp|socialism}}.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}} The house's motto is ''Forwards Together''.
 
====Goodson====
Goodson House is named after former headmaster [[John James Goodson]] and was one of the two day houses founded in 1964. Its colours are red and yellow, and its motto is ''Fortitudo in Unitate'', meaning "Strong in Unity". The emblem of the house is borrowed from the personal arms of John James Goodson.
 
====Lucia====
====Lucia====
====Tuesley====
Lucia House was founded in 1925, alongside O'Neill House, as the first day houses of the school. It is named for {{wp|Saint Lucy|Saint Lucia of Syracuse}}, a 4th-century {{wp|Christian martyr}} who Sister Mary-Anne McBride had said was one of the "prime candidates for the patron saint [of the school]". Its colours are {{wp|turquoise}} and {{wp|Gold (colour|gold}}, and its motto is ''Deus Lucet in Tenebris'' ("God Shines in the Darkess"), alluding to Saint Lucia's {{wp|Visual impairment|blindness}}. There is a dove on the house's coat of arms.
 
====McBride====
McBride was one of the first day houses of the school, founded in 1925. It is named after the school's founder and first headmaster, Mary-Anne McBride. Its motto is ''Fide Progredimur'', roughly meaning "Faith Guides us Forth" in Latin. McBride House's colour is officially just blue, though it often used in conjunction with the colour white in designs.
 
==Controversies==
==Controversies==
===Harassment following the AAED===
The [[Act Against Educational Discrimination]] (AAED) was bill passed in the [[Parliament of Septentria]] in 1974, under the [[Socialist Party of Insulamia|Socialist]] majority in the [[Legislative Assembly of Septentria|Legislative Assembly]] at the time. One of its requirements was that all {{wp|Single-sex school|single-sex schools}} had to become {{wp|Mixed-sex schools|mixed-sex}}. The executives at St. Catherine's, along with many other single-sex schools, heavily protested this bill; the head at the time, Quentin Blanchfield, even resigned in protest of it.
After the bill's passing and implementation, there were reportedly high numbers of reports of male students {{wp|Harassment|harassing}} and {{wp|bullying}} female students at the school (and, to a lesser extent, vice versa). This became a major example used by critics of the AAED to show its flaws. Premier [[William Cartier]] responded to these criticisms by claiming that "[i]t is to be expected that we see incidents like these during the early stages of the policy" and that "soon the students will acclimatise"{{efn|name=quote}}.
[[The Anningdon Post]] reported in 1976 that the harassment had largely died down at the school since the implementation of the AAED two years prior.
===Thomas Darcy scandal===
[[File:Thomas Darcy trial.jpg|thumb|[[Thomas Darcy]]]]
{{main|Thomas Darcy|Bella Hopkins}}
In January 2021, [[Bella Hopkins]], a former student at St. Catherine's College, sued [[Thomas Darcy]], who held the role of Head of St. Catherine's at the time, for various counts of {{wp|sexual abuse}} and {{wp|sexual assault}} committed to her when she was a teenager. Darcy stood down from his position almost immediately, ambiguously citing "serious allegations made against [him]".
In July 2022, Darcy pleaded guilty to several sex crimes, receiving a sentence of 7 years in prison with limited rehabilitation. The [[Septentria Mail]] described the situation as "an utter disgrace" that will "leave the prestigious school's reputation in the gutter". Sarika Luthra, Darcy's successor in the office of Head, called it a "dark chapter in [the school's] history" and said that "[the school] will have to work harder to restore the community's trust", though maintained that the scandal "reflects not the standards of [the] school".
==Notable alumni==
==Notable alumni==
===Academia, education, and research===
* [[Lisa Martorell]] <small>[[Royal Society of Insulamia|FRSI]]</small> – {{wp|Physical chemistry|physical chemist}}
* [[Veronica Dalton]] – former Chancellor of the [[University of Anningdon]]
* [[Freya Harriet Adams]] <small>[[Royal Insulamian Society of Education|FRISE]]</small> – academic, former president of the [[Royal Insulamian Society of Education]]
* Grace Wu – lecturer at the [[University of Anningdon]]
* [[Emilia Walsh]] – academic, former board member of St. Catherine's College
* [[Rachel Tett]] <small>[[Order of Cabotia|MCB]]</small> – {{wp|Anthropology|anthropologist}}
* Céline Léglise – {{wp|History of medicine|historian of medicine}} at [[Éteaux University]]
* Cecil Smith – professor of economics at the {{wp|University of Exeter Business School}}
* [[Keira O'Connor]] <small>[[Order of Cabotia|MCB]]</small> – {{wp|Linguistics|linguist}}, author, and lecturer
* Dia Patel <small>[[Insulamian Society of Philosophers|FSIDP]]</small> – {{wp|philosopher}}, author, sister of [[Raj Patel (judge)|Raj Patel]]
* Penelope Taylor-Smith – professor at the [[Septentria University of Arts]]
===Arts, entertainment, and music===
* [[Daphne Russell]] <small>[[Order of Cabotia|MCB]]</small> – thespian
* Evangeline Myers – violinist in the [[Orchestra Insulamic]]
* [[Fionn Gallagher]] – actress
* [[Lea Bernard]] <small>[[Order of Egality|MEG]]</small> – journalist, author, and activist
* [[Miles Rodrickson]] – television presenter, comedian
* Charlotte Johns – lead singer of [[The Lavenders]]
* [[Beatrice Caron]] – {{wp|fantasy}} writer
* [[Lucyanne Raitt]] – artist
* [[Yu Xiaoyan]] – {{wp|ballet}} dancer, activist
===Business===
* [[Georgia Armstrong]] – Chairperson of [[Air Insulamia]] and former chairperson of [[Aviatry]]
* [[Tessa O'Neil]] – businesswoman, philantropist, and former {{wp|Chief executive officer|CEO}} of [[Tinsley Corporation]]
* [[Waldo Peterow]] – chairperson of [[Bank of Henria]] and former chairperson of the [[Insulamian Oil and Gas Corporation]]
* [[Helen-Mary Askey]] – businesswoman, former head of [[National Rail (Insulamia)|National Rail]]
* Harry P. Moore – businessman and property developer
* Aiden Haraway – founder of tech startup [[Haraway Innovations]]
* [[Leroy May]] – property developer, former board member of St. Catherine's College and the [[Septentrian Catholic Schools Association]]
===Military===
* Air Marshall [[Mason James Carter]] <small>[[Order of Insulamia|MI]] [[Order of the Commonwealth|COC]] [[Service Cross (Insulamia)|SC]] [[Medal of Military Excellence (Insulamia)|MME]]</small>
* Major General [[Maeve O'Brien]] <small>[[Order of Insulamia|CI]]</small>
* Private Charles Andrew Percivals <small>[[Medal of Military Merit (Insulamia)|MMM]]</small>
[[File:Elizabeth Cartright 10-03-2004.jpg|thumb|upright=1|[[Elizabeth Cartright]]]]
===Law, politics, and civil service===
* Dame [[Elizabeth Cartright]] <small>{{wp|Member of parliament|MP}} {{wp|Order of the British Empire|OBE}} [[Order of Insulamia|MI]] [[Order of the Commonwealth|MOC]] [[Order of Cabotia|MCB]] [[Order of Egality|CEG]] [[Order of Septentria|MOS]]</small> – {{wp|Member of parliament|member}} of the [[House of Representatives of Insulamia|House of Representatives]] of the [[Parliament of Insulamia]] for [[Coxingham (electoral district)|Coxingham]] and former [[primeminister of Insulamia]]
* Dame [[Emilia Walsh]] <small>{{wp|King's Counsel|QC}} [[Order of Insulamia|CI]]</small> – former Judge of the Supreme Court of Insulamia
* [[Annelise Bauer]] <small>{{wp|Member of parliament|MP}}</small> – member of the [[House of Commons of Insulamia|House of Commons]] of the Parliament of Insulamia
* Amelia Greenhalgh – union leader
* [[Eva Ruvalcaba Santos]] – former leader of the [[Communist Party of Insulamia]], activist
* Soren Gustavson <small>[[Order of Septentria|MOS]]</small> – lawyer
* [[Virginia Campbell-Fitzgerald]] <small>{{wp|Member of parliament|MP}} [[Order of Cabotia|MCB]]</small> – former member of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Insulamia for [[Calithew (electoral district|Calithew]]
* [[Astrid Westhouse]] <small>[[Order of Cabotia|MCB]]</small> – civil servant and activist
* [[Lindsay Auchmuty]] <small>{{wp|Senior counsel|SC}} [[Order of Cabotia|MCB]]</small> – former Judge of the Septentria Supreme Court
* Luca Molinaro – lawyer
* [[Raj Patel (judge)|Raj Patel]] <small>{{wp|King's Counsel|KC}}</small> – Judge of the Supreme Court of Insulamia
===Sports===
* [[Aisling McKeown]] <small>[[Order of Insulamia|MI]] [[Order of Cabotia|CCB]]</small> – professional {{wp|Football player|footballer}}, former captain of the [[Insulamia women's national football team]]
* Xavier Roy – professional {{wp|Basketball player|basketballer}}
* [[Adrian Elliot]] – professional [[Insulamian football|déto]] player
* [[Nicholas Kirkpatrick]] – professional {{wp|rugby union}} player
* [[Imogen Wallace]] – professional netballer
* [[Pamela of the Cross]] <small>[[Order of Cabotia|MCB]]</small> – {{wp|Grandmaster (chess)|chess grandmaster}}
* [[Zachary Liu]] – chess grandmaster
* Elodie Collier – former professional cricketer
* [[Tristan Eades]] – manager of [[Anningdon Football Club]] and retired footballer
* [[Sebastian Hepworth]] – déto player
===Other===
* [[Perry Rawlings]]{{efn|name=perry}} – {{wp|Mass shooting|mass shooter}} and perpertrator of the [[1999 Cabot Pride shooting]]
* [[Bella Hopkins]] – victim of {{wp|sexual abuse}} by former Head of St. Catherine's [[Thomas Darcy]]
* [[Liam Crichton-Halys]] – {{wp|Hacktivism|hacktivist}}
* [[Jean-Alphonse Lemaire]] – former [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nouville|Archbishop of Nouville]]
==See also==
{{Portal|Insulamia|redlinks=yes}}
{{columns-list|
* [[List of Roman Catholic schools in Septentria]]
* [[Septentrian Catholic Schools Association]]
* [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Anningdon]]
* [[Catholic Church in Insulamia]]
* {{wp|Sisters of Mercy}}
}}
==Notes==
==Notes==
{{notelist|refs=
{{notelist|30em|refs=
{{efn|name=proverbs|In the {{wp|King James Version}} of the {{wp|Bible}}, the verse reads: "How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!"}}
{{efn|name=proverbs|In the {{wp|King James Version}} of the {{wp|Bible}}, the verse reads: "How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!"}}
{{efn|name=motto|Sometimes stylised "SAPIENTIA AVRVM PRÆFERAT".}}
{{efn|name=perry|Perry Rawlings was enrolled for St. Catherine's College in 1990, but it is unclear whether he actually attended the school for any time. Later that year, he and his mother moved to [[New Swansea]] where he attended [[Cardigan Public Secondary School]].}}
{{efn|name=quote|The full quote goes as follows: "And I have heard the concerns of harassment very well, Mr. Blake [journalist], and I truly do empathise with the victims of these heinous acts, but I assure you that these problems will soon vanish and our young generation shall benefit much more from this policy in the long term. It is to be expected that we see incidents like these during the early stages of the policy, and we have tried our best to minimise its effects, but soon the students shall acclimatise to there new situations and no longer will they feel an unusual temptation to wrongdoing."}}
{{efn|name=pronunciation|English pronunciation: {{IPAc-en|ˌ|s|æ|p|iː|ˈ|ɛ|n|ʒ|ə|_|ˈ|ɔː|r|ə|m|_|ˈ|p|r|ɛ|f|ə|ˌ|r|æ|t}}<br/>{{wp|Latin phonology and orthography|Latin pronunciation}}: {{IPAc-la|s|a|.|p|i|ˈ|e|n|.|t|i|.|a|_|ˈ|a|u|.|r|u|m|_|p|r|ae|ˈ|f|e|.|r|a|t}}}}
{{efn|name=cant|This is an example of a {{wp|canting arms}}. There is a cart on the dexter (right), hence ''Cartright''.}}
{{efn|name=galatians|In the {{wp|King James Version}} of the {{wp|Bible}}, the verse reads: "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."}}
}}
}}
==External links==
* {{URL|nationstates.net/insulamia|Official website}}
* {{URL|nationstates.net/insulamia|St. Catherine's College on the page of the Archdiocese of Anningdon}}
* {{URL|nationstates.net/insulamia|McBride Hall (heritage site) on the Heritage Registry of Septentria}}


[[Category:Insulamia]]
[[Category:Insulamia]]

Latest revision as of 11:38, 31 October 2024

St. Catherine's College
St Catherines College logo.svg
St-Catherines.jpg
McBride Hall, a building of the school
Address
24 Victoria St

Westminster, Anningdon, Septentria

3400 SR, Insulamia
Information
Former nameSt. Catherine's Catholic College for Girls
TypeSemi-independent day school and boarding school
MottoLatin: Sapientia aurum praeferat[a]
(Wisdom over gold)
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Established5 April 1897 (1897-04-05)
FounderSister Mary-Anne McBride, RSM
HeadSarika Luthra
Staff119 (January 2022)
Grades1–12
Number of students1,226 (January 2022)
Colour(s)Crimson and gold   
PublicationAlexandria
AffiliationsSeptentrian Catholic Schools Association, Sporting Schools Septentria, Anningdon Union of Schools
Websitestcatherinescollege.edu.ia

St. Catherine's College, often simply referred to as St. Catherine's, St. C's, or SCC, is a semi-independent Catholic day and boarding school in Westminster, a central district of Anningdon, Septentria, Insulamia. As of 2022, it caters for 1,226 students from grade 1 to grade 12.

The Sisters of Mercy, a Catholic religious institute, founded the school in 1897 as St. Catherine's Catholic College for Girls. It was initially a girls' boarding school, and its first headmaster was Sister Mary-Anne McBride, a member of Sisters of Mercy. It opened up to day students in 1925. Under the Act Against Educational Discrimination of 1974, the school started accepting males and became a semi-independent school—substantially government-funded and tuition-free.

Although it does not charge tuition, St. Catherine's still has a selective enrolment policy, contributing to its reputation as one of the top-performing schools by academics in Septentria. It is a partner school with the International Baccalaureate, and is also associated with the Septentrian Catholic Schools Association, Sporting Schools Septentria, and the Anningdon Union of Schools. Some of its notable alumni include Elizabeth Cartright, the first and only female primeminister of Insulamia, and Aisling McKeown, the current captain of the Insulamia women's national football team. In 2007, the Heritage Registry of Septentria listed McBride Hall and the Emilia Walsh Tower in the school as provincial heritage sites.

History

Old photograph of nun
Sister Mary-Anne McBride, the founder of the school

St. Catherine's Catholic College for Girls was founded in 1897 with support from the Sisters of Mercy, a religious congregation of the Catholic Church originating in Dublin, Ireland. It was the first Catholic school for girls in Septentria. Sister Mary-Anne McBride, a member of the Sisters of Mercy, was the main proponent for establishing the school and became its first head. Initially, McBride had planned on constructing the school on an estate in Lambeth, but later settled on the current site in Westminster, across the Finavon. In 1925, the school opened up to day students, adding two new day houses to complement the two existing boarding houses. Two more day houses were established in 1964.

Old photograph of building
School Hall (now McBride Hall) in 1916

Following the passing of the Act Against Educational Discrimination (AAED) through the Parliament of Septentria in 1974, St. Catherine's was mandated to allow all sexes to attend. Thus, it removed the phrase for Girls in its name, and removed the word Catholic with the name change too (though the school would remain Catholic). The AAED also had St. Catherine's transition into a semi-independent school, becoming heavily funded by the state (while keeping donations as a source of income) and waiving its tuition fees. The school's board, along with the Septentrian Catholic Schools Association, protested the act, even after its passing and codification.

In 1976, St. Catherine's built an off-campus sports facility in Tacuja, an outer suburb of Anningdon. After the 1988 Finavon floods, several school buildings were damaged and one building, Dalton-Adams, was completely demolished and rebuilt. The school underwent a major expansion in 1990, gaining two new buildings and new land purchased from neighbouring properties. For its centenary in 1997, the school's chapel was renovated and expanded. In 2012, a new boarding facility was constructed to accomodate the steadily growing number of boarders. Between 2015 and 2017, many school buildings were upgraded alongside facilities at the sporting centre in Tacuja.

List of heads

Period as head Name Image Notes
1897–1920 Sister Mary-Anne McBride RSM Mary-Anne McBride.jpg Founder of the school and a Catholic nun in the Sisters of Mercy. Resigned in 1920 due to ill health and died two years later.
1920–1946 Sister Jane O'Neill RSM Sister O Neill crop.jpg Also a nun in the Sisters of Mercy. Namesake of the O'Neill building and the O'Neill day house of the school. Longest-serving head in the history of the school.
1946–1950 Mother Elisabeth Heath - Died in an accident during tenure.
1950–1951 No head - The school had no head between November 1950 and January 1951.
1951–1963 John James Goodson FRISE JJ Goodson.jpg Jean-Jacques Beaufils in French. First male head and first French-Insulamian head of the school. The school's Goodson Hall and Goodson House are named after him.
1963–1974 Quentin Blanchfield Quentin Blanchfield Head of SCC painting.jpg Resigned in protest of the Act Against Educational Discrimination in 1974.
1974 No head - The school went without a head again between February 1974 and December 1974.
1974–1992 Sister Hilda Murray Hilda Murray Head of SCC painting.jpg Also a nun in the Catholic Church.
1992–2005 Laura Jones - -
2005–2021 Thomas Darcy Thomas Darcy trial.jpg Resigned in 2021 due to allegations of sexual abuse. See #Thomas Darcy scandal for further information.
2021–present Sarika Luthra - Second-generation Indian immigrant and first non-White head of the school.

Symbols

Saint Catherine, the patron saint of the school. This depiction was painted by Caravaggio in 1598.

Colours

The colours of St. Catherine's College are crimson and gold. They feature on the school's logo and uniform.

Motto

Sapientia aurum praeferat[b] is the Latin-language motto of St. Catherine's College. It roughly translates to "Wisdom over gold" or "Wisdom is better than gold" in English. This references the biblical verse Proverbs 16:16[c].

Patron saint

Saint Catherine of Alexandria, the patron saint and namesake of the school, was a Christian martyr who lived in the late 3rd century and the early 4th century. She was chosen by Sister Mary-Anne McBride for her associations with schoolchildren and girls. Saint Catherine's hometown, Alexandria, is used as the name of the school's yearbook.

The logo or the coat of arms of St. Catherine's College is a shield featuring a depiction of Saint Catherine holding a sword and a book. The shield has a crimson background and a golden cross, representing the school's Christian faith. Above the shield is a book with radiating rays, representing education. The motto of the school is inscribed on a scroll below the shield; it is in all capitals with the letter "U" being replaced with "V", and the digraph "AE" is replaced with the ligature "Æ". The whole logo uses a gold and crimson colour scheme, which are the colours of the school. It is officially blazoned:

Sanguine, a cross voided, a depiction of Saint Catherine holding in her dexter hand a sword and in her sinister hand a book, all Or; for a Crest, upon a torse of the field and the cross, an open book of the field irradiated of the cross; for a Motto, "SAPIENTIA AVRVM PRÆFERAT".

The wordmark of the school features the logo besides text reading "ST. CATHERINE'S COLLEGE" and "WESTMINSTER" a line below, in a serif typeface.

Campus

The grounds of SCC, with the school's chapel in the foreground and the Elisabeth Heath Library in the background

SCC's main campus is located at 24 Victoria St, Westminster 3400 SR, Insulamia. It consists of 13 buildings, one grass field, two tennis courts, and one aquatic centre. There are 82 classrooms in total, located within the buildings of Alba, Dalton-Adams, the Martorell Science Centre, O'Neill, and Tuesley. SCC's three boarding houses, May, McAuley and Tachacat, have selfnamed dormitories.

The Elisabeth Heath Library is the current library of St. Catherine's, having replaced the old library in 2016. The Rachel Tett Sporting Centre was built in 1979 and consists of two indoor fields and a gym. Prior to 1990, the school's assemblies had been held in the Daphne Russell Theatre, but since the construction of Goodson Hall, they have been held there instead. The school's chapel was built in 1902, and its interior was extensively renovated in 1997. It is relatively small, and most religious services that require more accommodation are held in Goodson Hall or the nearby St. Andrew's Cathedral. McBride Hall (formerly School Hall until 1923) was once the main building of the school, however, it has transitioned into its current state as a museum and an office space for staff.

In 2007, McBride Hall and the Emilia Walsh Tower became provincial heritage sites under the Heritage Registry of Septentria. Following its construction in 1990, Goodson Hall was awarded the Collins Award for the Best Educational Structure by the Royal Architectural Society of Insulamia.

Tacuja Sporting Grounds

The St. Catherine's College Tacuja Sporting Grounds, sometimes referred to as SCC Tacuja, is located in the district of Tacuja on the outskirts of Anningdon. It is 9.2 km (5.7 mi) away from the main campus. There are four multi-purpose fields on the site, all of which are used for football, déto, cricket, and rugby union. There are also facilities for track and field at SCC Tacuja, including a running track and a long jump pit.

Academics

St. Catherine's College educates students between grades 1 to 12. It is affiliated with the International Baccalaureate and offers the IB Primary Years Programme, the IB Middle Years Programme, and the IB Diploma Programme. It also offers a curriculum based on the one of Septentria Curriculum Authority. The school has a selective enrolment policy, with various criteria and an examination to assess prospective students.

In the years 2009 and 2018, St. Catherine's achieved the highest results in the country on the INEE national standardised academic assessment. It was ranked the best school academically in Septentria by The Dorchester Mail in 2010.

Extracurricular

St. Catherine's College has an extensive extracurricular programme. It offers basketball, chess, cricket, debating, déto, football, netball, rugby union, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. The school competes mainly in tournaments run by the Anningdon Union of Schools and Sporting Schools Septentria, but also partakes in various other sport-specific competitions.

Extracurricular programmes in music and the arts are also available to students at St. Catherine's. Additionally, the school organises community service activities, and is an authorised operator of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Student exchange programmes with schools in Auria, Germany, Spain, Japan, and Algeria are also offered at the school.

House system

St. Catherine's College has a house system like many other schools in Insulamia. There are nine houses in total, with three boarding houses and six day houses. Houses are compared in areas such as academic grades and behaviour, and they compete in interhouse contests in chess, cross country running, general knowledge, spelling, and swimming. At the end of each school year, points earned throughout the year are tallied, and the house with the most points wins the L. L. Smith House Cup.

Boarding houses

The two boarding houses of McAuley and Tachacat were the first houses of the school and, subsequently, the oldest houses of the school. They both take their names from actual buildings of the school—their respective dormitories. The house system was officially established in 1912, though students of the two buildings had fostered a friendly rivalry before that. In 2012, May House was created with the inauguration of the May building.

House name Colours Motto Founding year
May   
Yellow and black		 For Excellence 2012
McAuley   
White and red		 Compassion and Courage 1897
Tachacat   
Green and white		 Faber Est Suae Quisque Fortunae 1897

May

May House is the youngest boarding house, having been founded in 2012 with the opening of its dormitory building of the same name. Its namesake is Leroy May, an alumnus of the school. Yellow and black are its colours, and For Excellence is its motto.

McAuley

McAuley was one of the original two houses of the school. It was named after Catherine McAuley. She was the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, the Catholic religious institute that created the school. The house's colours are white and red, and its motto is Compassion and Courage.

Tachacat

A founding house of St. Catherine's, Tachacat is a boarding house that occupies the dormitory complex of the same name. The name "Tachacat" originated from the name of the estate that previously occupied the land where St. Catherine's College lies today. Though it is almost certain that "Tachacat" comes from a Kukin word, it is unclear which. A popular theory amongst the house is that the name was derived from the word tacazatak (pronounced ta-CHA-tsa-tak), meaning "rainbow", but this is not confirmed.

The colours of Tachacat House are green and white, which represent the land and purity respectively. Its motto is Faber Est Suae Quisque Fortunae, a Latin phrase often translated as "Every man is the artisan of his own fortune". The colours and the motto feature on the house's coat of arms, which is blazoned: "Vert, a chevron Argent between by three suns Proper."

Day houses

The first two day houses, Lucia and McBride, were created in 1925 when the school started accepting day students. For many years, these day houses were growing much bigger than the boarding houses. However, the school was adamant on maintaining the symmetry of two boarding houses and two day houses. The problem soon became too great to ignore, and in 1964, under Quentin Blanchfield's headship, St. Catherine's established two more day houses—Auchmuty and Goodson. In 2012, another day house, Cartright, was established along with the boarding house May.

House name Colours Motto Founding year
Auchmuty   
Turquoise and brown		 In Caritate et Humilitate Servire 1964
Cartright    
Navy blue, yellow, and red		 Forwards Together 2012
Goodson   
Red and yellow		 Fortitudo in Unitate 1964
Lucia   
Light blue and gold		 Deus Lucet in Tenebris 1925
McBride  
Blue		 Fide Progredimur 1925

Auchmuty

Auchmuty House was established with Goodson House in 1964. It is named for Lindsay Auchmuty, a former Judge of the Septentria Supreme Court and a significant supporter of the school. Its colours are turquoise and brown, based on the colours of Auchmuty's personal arms which are also used as the arms of the house. The motto of the house is In Caritate et Humilitate Servire, meaning "Serve With Love and Humility", a reference to Galatians 5:13.[d]

Cartright

Cartright is the youngest day house in the school. Established in 2012 alongside the boarding house May, it is named after Elizabeth Cartright, the 14th primeminister of Insulamia and the only woman ever to hold that position. Elizabeth Cartright, a graduate of the school, visited St. Catherine's at the start of the 2012 school year to to officially christen the house. The coat of arms of the house features a cart on the dexter[e] and a star on the sinister. The colours of the house are navy blue, yellow, and red, representing Elizabeth Cartright's service to Insulamia and socialism.[citation needed] The house's motto is Forwards Together.

Goodson

Goodson House is named after former headmaster John James Goodson and was one of the two day houses founded in 1964. Its colours are red and yellow, and its motto is Fortitudo in Unitate, meaning "Strong in Unity". The emblem of the house is borrowed from the personal arms of John James Goodson.

Lucia

Lucia House was founded in 1925, alongside O'Neill House, as the first day houses of the school. It is named for Saint Lucia of Syracuse, a 4th-century Christian martyr who Sister Mary-Anne McBride had said was one of the "prime candidates for the patron saint [of the school]". Its colours are turquoise and gold, and its motto is Deus Lucet in Tenebris ("God Shines in the Darkess"), alluding to Saint Lucia's blindness. There is a dove on the house's coat of arms.

McBride

McBride was one of the first day houses of the school, founded in 1925. It is named after the school's founder and first headmaster, Mary-Anne McBride. Its motto is Fide Progredimur, roughly meaning "Faith Guides us Forth" in Latin. McBride House's colour is officially just blue, though it often used in conjunction with the colour white in designs.

Controversies

Harassment following the AAED

The Act Against Educational Discrimination (AAED) was bill passed in the Parliament of Septentria in 1974, under the Socialist majority in the Legislative Assembly at the time. One of its requirements was that all single-sex schools had to become mixed-sex. The executives at St. Catherine's, along with many other single-sex schools, heavily protested this bill; the head at the time, Quentin Blanchfield, even resigned in protest of it.

After the bill's passing and implementation, there were reportedly high numbers of reports of male students harassing and bullying female students at the school (and, to a lesser extent, vice versa). This became a major example used by critics of the AAED to show its flaws. Premier William Cartier responded to these criticisms by claiming that "[i]t is to be expected that we see incidents like these during the early stages of the policy" and that "soon the students will acclimatise"[f].

The Anningdon Post reported in 1976 that the harassment had largely died down at the school since the implementation of the AAED two years prior.

Thomas Darcy scandal

Thomas Darcy
Main articles: Thomas Darcy and Bella Hopkins

In January 2021, Bella Hopkins, a former student at St. Catherine's College, sued Thomas Darcy, who held the role of Head of St. Catherine's at the time, for various counts of sexual abuse and sexual assault committed to her when she was a teenager. Darcy stood down from his position almost immediately, ambiguously citing "serious allegations made against [him]".

In July 2022, Darcy pleaded guilty to several sex crimes, receiving a sentence of 7 years in prison with limited rehabilitation. The Septentria Mail described the situation as "an utter disgrace" that will "leave the prestigious school's reputation in the gutter". Sarika Luthra, Darcy's successor in the office of Head, called it a "dark chapter in [the school's] history" and said that "[the school] will have to work harder to restore the community's trust", though maintained that the scandal "reflects not the standards of [the] school".

Notable alumni

Academia, education, and research

Arts, entertainment, and music

Business

Military

Elizabeth Cartright

Law, politics, and civil service

Sports

Other

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Sometimes stylised "SAPIENTIA AVRVM PRÆFERAT".
  2. ↑ English pronunciation: /ˌsæpiːˈɛnʒə ˈɔːrəm ˈprɛfəˌræt/
    Latin pronunciation: [sa.pɪˈɛn.tɪ.a ˈaʊ.rʊm prae̯ˈfɛ.rat]
  3. ↑ In the King James Version of the Bible, the verse reads: "How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!"
  4. ↑ In the King James Version of the Bible, the verse reads: "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."
  5. ↑ This is an example of a canting arms. There is a cart on the dexter (right), hence Cartright.
  6. ↑ The full quote goes as follows: "And I have heard the concerns of harassment very well, Mr. Blake [journalist], and I truly do empathise with the victims of these heinous acts, but I assure you that these problems will soon vanish and our young generation shall benefit much more from this policy in the long term. It is to be expected that we see incidents like these during the early stages of the policy, and we have tried our best to minimise its effects, but soon the students shall acclimatise to there new situations and no longer will they feel an unusual temptation to wrongdoing."
  7. ↑ Perry Rawlings was enrolled for St. Catherine's College in 1990, but it is unclear whether he actually attended the school for any time. Later that year, he and his mother moved to New Swansea where he attended Cardigan Public Secondary School.

External links

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