Shalom Catholic College


Shalom College is a Catholic secondary school in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. The College was established in 1984 by merging the Christian Brothers' College for Boys and the Loyola College for Girls. The school's current principal is Dan McMahon. In 2018, there were 1380 students enrolled at the school, as well as approximately 200 staff members.

Campus

The main campus is set amongst thirteen hectares of bushland off of Fitzgerald Street, Bundaberg. Shalom is not a selective school. While it is a Catholic school, it welcomes students of other faiths. However, the school does require parents to agree to actively support its religious education program and Christian ethos. Low fees are charged so as to not exclude prospective students. Entrance examinations are not a basis for selection. Shalom College's Chaverim campus of eighty-five hectares is located at South Bingera, twenty-three kilometres south-west of Bundaberg. All students are given the opportunity to use its facilities for camps and are offered various activities such as canoeing, rock-climbing or archery. The land on which the school is built was donated by Walter Adams. Adams is buried in the Catholic cemetery, adjacent to the school grounds on Fitzgerald Street. The college house "Adams" was named for Adams in recognition and appreciation of his generosity.

Pastoral houses

The eight pastoral houses are as follows:
NameColourPatronVirtueNotes
AdamsBlueWalter AdamsGenerosityDonated the land on which the college stands
ChisholmLime greenCaroline ChisholmCompassionAssisted poor women immigrants
HoganRedJoseph HoganVisionLeader in Catholic education in Bundaberg
LingiariOrangeVincent LingiariJusticeActivist for land rights and equality for indigenous people
MacKillopPurpleMary MacKillopCourageFirst Australian saint and founder of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart
McAuleyForest greenCatherine McAuleyMercyFounder of the Sisters of Mercy
RiceYellowEdmund RiceLiberationFounder of the Christian Brothers in Ireland
WalshMaroonPaddy WalshValourParish priest in Bundaberg and chaplain in Changi Prisoner-of-War Camp

Each house has two house leaders: traditionally one male and one female.

Sports

A range of sports and extra-curricular activities are offered. These activities include soccer, basketball, softball, netball, rugby league, rugby union, rowing, surfing and tenpin bowling. Shalom Catholic College is also represented in the region in events such as track and field, swimming and cross country running. SCASA, run 4 afternoons a week with students receiving afternoon tea.

Alumni

Gordon Rochford is a Christian brother who was with the school from its establishment in 1984 until his retirement in 2018. During his time, he would greet students daily as they came into the school and appear at many school activities and events to take photos. In addition, he would also deliver bookmarks to students celebrating birthdays.