Lourdes Hill is one of a network of 10 schools under the care of Good Samaritan Education, a church entity set up to take over the educational mission of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. The college was incorporated by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan in 1986 as a Company Limited by Guarantee.[3] It is affiliated with the Queensland Catholic Education Commission, the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA),[4] and the Brisbane Schoolgirls Sporting Association (BSGSA).[5] The school was previously affiliated with the Australian Boarding Schools' Association (ABSA).[6]
Archbishop Duhig offered the sisters one of the choicest sites in Brisbane for a convent and a secondary girls' school. Lourdes Hill College was established in January 1916, with Mother Berchmans and thirteen sisters sailing up the river on the ship "Osterley" and docking at the site.[2]
The college was named after Lourdes in France, where Mary is said to have appeared to a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous. When the Good Samaritan Sisters were setting up the school, Archbishop Duhig commented that the site reminded him of Lourdes.[1]
The aim of the College Boarding House was to provide a homely environment. Year 8 students lived in rooms of four girls, while Years 9 to 11 students were in single-, two-, three- or four-bed accommodation. All Seniors had single rooms.[9] The Boarding House closed in 2010.[10]
Students may also choose to combine their secondary school studies with Vocational Educational Training (VET) and workplace learning. The Work Education Program can be incorporated into the Year 11 and 12 academic program. Students who complete their senior studies in combination with this program receive a Senior Certificate and a QTAC selection rank that allows access to TAFE and many university courses. Opportunities also exist for students to commence a school based apprenticeship or traineeship, involving part-time school and part-time paid employment.[5]
The college offers five sporting clubs, in canoeing, rowing, hockey, sailing, sport aerobics and tennis. These clubs participate in a variety of competitions.[5]
Notable alumnae
Alumnae of Lourdes Hill College are commonly referred to as 'Lourdanians', and may elect to join the schools alumni association, the Lourdes Hill College Past Pupils Association (LHCPPA).[11] Some notable Lourdanians include:
Natalie Blair – actor, best known for role as Carmella Cammeniti on Neighbours[12]
Linda Cassell – Former professional Australian tennis player, now member of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan
^"Incorporated Colleges". Colleges. Sisters of the Good Samaritan. 2005. Archived from the original on 24 September 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
^"AHISA Schools". Queensland. Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia. 2008. Archived from the original on 13 February 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
^ abcde"Prospectus"(PDF). Enrolments. Lourdes Hill College. Archived from the original(PDF) on 22 October 2004. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
^"Lourdes Hill College". Schools – Queensland. The Australian Boarding Schools' Association. 2005. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
^"History & Heritage". History. Lourdes Hill College. 2006. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
^"Location". The College. Lourdes Hill College. 2006. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
^"Boarding". Boarding Community. Lourdes Hill College. 2006. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
^About us", Lourdes Hill College. Accessed 3 April 2011.