125th Anniversary

125 years ago, on 15th January 1894, it was a warm summer’s day of 26 degrees when the first lessons commenced at Santa Sabina College on The Boulevarde, Strathfield.

Our first students, all aged between 11 and 14 years old, were Ethel Ernestine Dolman from Newtown; sisters Margaret, Lucy and Nellie Hinton, who’d been boarding at the Dominican Convent at Moss Vale after their mother died; Gertrude Mary Sheridan; and sisters Evelyn and Margaret Danaher.

The earliest photo of Rosary Lodge, formerly known as Chaddesden when owned by the Linderman family, on the Boulevarde, Strathfield.

As the new college building was still being constructed, the girls commenced their classes on the ground level of Rosary Lodge, and the Sisters lived on the upper floor. Sister M Michael O’Brien who had arrived from Dublin in 1883, became the mistress of the day pupils. The subjects the girls were taught included English, Italian, German, Latin, French, drawing, needlework and music.

Today we particularly celebrate and give thanks for the sacrifices and achievements of our founding Sisters and for all the staff and students who have passed through the gates at 90 The Boulevarde.

Dominican Blessing

May God the Father and Creator of us all bless us.

May God the Son and greatest Teacher heal and guide us.

May God the Holy Spirit enlighten us,

and give us eyes to see the beauty of the world, ears to hear the cry of the poor;

Hands to do the work of God in a spirit of service and justice;

feet to walk to those alone, grieving or in need;

a mouth to preach the word of salvation with power and truth;

and the angel of peace to watch over us and lead us at last, by our Lord’s gift to the Kingdom. Amen

Jesus to Catherine of Siena