Whitefriars College

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title: "Whitefriars College" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["catholic-secondary-schools-in-melbourne", "carmelite-educational-institutions", "associated-catholic-colleges", "boys'-schools-in-victoria-(state)", "educational-institutions-established-in-1961", "1961-establishments-in-australia", "buildings-and-structures-in-the-city-of-manningham"] topic_path: "society/education" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitefriars_College" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox school"]

FieldValue
nameWhitefriars College
imageWhitefriars_College_logo.svg
motto
motto_translationIn The Care of a Loving Mother
cityDonvale
stateVictoria
zipcode3111
countryAustralia
coordinates
typeIndependent, single-sex
denominationCarmelite
established1961
chairmanPeter Duffy
principalMark Murphy
chaplainFr Paul Sireh
grades7–12
coloursBrown, gold & navy blue

| | slogan | Belong. Believe. Become. | | fees | $15,09–$16,796 | | affiliation | Associated Catholic Colleges | | address | 156 Park Road | | grades_label | Years | | gender | Boys | | enrolment | 1,200 | | homepage | www.whitefriars.vic.edu.au | ::

| name = Whitefriars College | image = Whitefriars_College_logo.svg | motto = | motto_translation = In The Care of a Loving Mother | city = Donvale | state = Victoria | zipcode = 3111 | country = Australia | coordinates = | type = Independent, single-sex | denomination = Carmelite | established = 1961 | chairman = Peter Duffy | principal = Mark Murphy | chaplain = Fr Paul Sireh | grades = 7–12 | colours = Brown, gold & navy blue

| slogan = Belong. Believe. Become. | fees = $15,09–$16,796 | revenue = | affiliation = Associated Catholic Colleges | address = 156 Park Road | grades_label = Years | gender = Boys | enrolment = 1,200 | products = | homepage = www.whitefriars.vic.edu.au

Whitefriars College is a Roman Catholic Independent school for boys located in the Melbourne suburb of Donvale, Australia. Established in 1961, the college reflects the tradition of the Carmelites, and is recognised for its uniform's brown blazer with the college crest appearing on the breast pocket. The college has been a member of the Associated Catholic Colleges since 1999. The college was one of the first schools in Victoria to implement a notebook-computer program, which has now transitioned to a notebook-tablet program, in which every student is provided with a notebook-tablet.

House system

The college has eight houses, each one named after a Carmelite of note. The houses are: ::data[format=table]

House namePatronColour
AvilaTeresa of Avila
BrandsmaTitus Brandsma
CorsiniAndrew Corsini
LisieuxTherese of Lisieux
SteinEdith Stein
MantuaBaptista Mantuanus
SorethJohn Soreth
TrinityElizabeth of the Trinity
::

As there is a vertical pastoral care (more commonly known as homeroom) system at the college, each house is made up of six pastoral care groups and each group contains approximately 24 students. This change was made in 2005. Each house is governed by a Head of House. Unlike other schools, students at Whitefriars College are more so responsible to their respective Head of House combined with Pastoral Care teacher, than that of their Year level co-ordinator.

Curriculum

Whitefriars College offers its senior students the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). ::data[format=table title="VCE results 2012-2024{{Cite web|title=Trend of Whitefriars College by VCE results|url=https://bettereducation.com.au/CompareSchools/year_12/vic/compare_vce_school_ranking.aspx?enc=0krddJMa3z2GawznzHgIpU/72Gr9Zxo/WSCgxANxLF83nLj6jDPhR/feCOL1DC13lY1Mi2p/DYPXMNSFTBpHN3dYQXSrr7BaY2skvP5fcvNBKVqaZ5fYXxGXIbusaWElftst5tLoK4uitjnTMbbwnNOyXs1k+SXWfIOxBQj36VQ==|access-date=2025-07-22|website=bettereducation.com.au}}"]

YearRankMedian study scoreScores of 40+ (%)Cohort size
2012843214.2308
2013140318.2289
2014136318.1299
2015135318.3336
2016148317.3316
2017184305.9289
2018198304.5307
2019122319.3275
2020146315.9271
2021128319.2274
2022150315.5266
2023963210262
2024175307238
2025145316.5217
::

50 years celebration

The college celebrated its 50th year in operation from 2010 to 2011. The school received a New Chapel, Quadrangle and Classrooms to commemorate the occasion. In addition to this, some existing classrooms were also renovated. Students were also presented with a 50-year badge to be worn on their blazer lapel.

Principals

::data[format=table title=""]

YearTenureNameNotes
1961–197211 YearsFrank Shortis, O.Carm
1973–19763 YearsBernie McPhee, O.Carm
1977–19781 YearPeter Byrth, O.Carm
1978–198810 YearsNoel Kierce, O.CarmServed as College Chaplain until 2015
1989–19956 YearsHugh Brown, O.Carm
1996–201216 YearsPaul Cahill, O.CarmLongest serving Principal
2013–20174 YearsJohn FinnFirst lay Principal
20181 YearAnthony Kirley
20191 YearGregory StewartTemporary Appointment
2020–2025PresentMark Murphy
::

Sport

Whitefriars is a member of the Associated Catholic Colleges (ACC).

ACC premierships

Whitefriars has won the following ACC premierships.

  • Basketball (11) – 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2019
  • Cricket (5) – 2002, 2003, 2012, 2015, 2020
  • Football (4) – 2004, 2005, 2013, 2014
  • Hockey (3) – 2014, 2015, 2017
  • Swimming (13) – 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
  • Tennis (6) – 2011, 2012, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2023

Community service

The school has two student-run community service organisations, the Key Club, sponsored by the Doncaster-Templestowe Kiwanis, and Young St. Vinnie's. Both groups work in the school community as well as in the wider community on a number of projects. The Key Club runs a recycling drive and St Vinnie's runs a weekly blood donation drive, in which VCE students are encouraged to give blood.

Notable alumni

Controversy

In 2019, Whitefriars reached a confidential settlement with a student relating to accusations that the school failed to take adequate action after an older student allegedly groomed and sexually abused at least two younger boys.

On May 5 2023, two Year 9 students were taken to Box Hill Hospital at 9am and 12:50pm respectively following allergic reactions to vapes laced with Cannabis and LSD.

References

References

  1. [http://www.smh.com.au/national/obituaries/a-life-welllived-by-the-old-school-motto-20150608-ghjcc6.html "FR NOEL KIERCE Obituary"] ''Sydney Morning Herald''. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  2. "Fees and Charges".
  3. "Trend of Whitefriars College by VCE results".
  4. "Premiers & Champions – Associated Catholic Colleges".
  5. "Whitefriars Sporting Alumni".
  6. "https://www.whitefriars.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/WFC-Sporting-Alumni-2020.pdf".
  7. malexander@whitefriars.vic.edu.au. (2024-08-23). "Old Collegian named AFL Rising Star".
  8. "https://www.whitefriars.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/WFC-Sporting-Alumni-2020.pdf".
  9. "https://www.whitefriars.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/WFC-Sporting-Alumni-2020.pdf".
  10. "Former Member Profile Victor Perton".
  11. (14 October 2022). "Whitefriars VCE Australian Politics Excursion to Melbourne City Council".
  12. (2 July 2024). "Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece".
  13. malexander@whitefriars.vic.edu.au. (2024-05-24). "Josh Smilie - Football Excellence".
  14. "Instagram".
  15. (2019-07-22). "Year 7 student allegedly raped by Year 12 student at Melbourne Catholic boys school". ABC News.
  16. (2023-05-08). "Two boys hospitalised after severe reaction to vape in Melbourne". 9 News.
  17. (2023-05-08). "Two teens hospitalised after vaping incident at Victorian private school". 7 News.
  18. (2023-07-11). "Whitefriars vaping scandal deepens amid ‘drug deal’ fears". Herald Sun.

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catholic-secondary-schools-in-melbournecarmelite-educational-institutionsassociated-catholic-collegesboys'-schools-in-victoria-(state)educational-institutions-established-in-19611961-establishments-in-australiabuildings-and-structures-in-the-city-of-manningham