Principal’s Message

Welcome to St Clare’s College Waverley, an outstanding secondary Catholic College located in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney. As one of the first high schools for girls in the area, St Clare’s College has been educating young women in the Franciscan tradition since 1884, following the teachings of St Clare and St Francis of Assisi.  The Franciscan tradition is reflected in everything we do – in our curriculum, co-curricular activities, prayer and liturgical life of the College, and in the ethos of justice and compassion that form the basis of relationships within the school community.

The College caters for girls in Years 7–12, based on a holistic approach to learning which will prepare students for the challenges and opportunities that will inevitably face them in the future. Skills of critical thinking, collaboration, inquiry, communication, reasoning, problem-solving and creativity are integral to all that we do.  Our diverse learning team offers a differentiated curriculum with our Newman selective stream for those girls who wish to be challenged, while at the same time the team is committed to meeting the needs of all students.

Our College motto, “Deus meus et omnia” (My God in all things) is realised through dynamic teaching and personalised learning giving each girl the opportunity for independent thinking and self-discipline. We want our young women to leave St Clare’s empowered to do their best through experiences of leadership and social justice alongside diverse curriculum opportunities.

I hope that you find our website informative. If there is anything more you would like to know, please contact us at the College.

Ms Ann Freeman
Principal

St Clare's College Waverley History and CharismSt Clare’s College history can be traced back to the early 1880s with correspondence between the Waverley Franciscan Friars and Irish Franciscan Friars. 

The passage of the Public Education Act in 1880 hindered the Waverley Franciscan Friars in providing a Catholic education to Catholic children in the developing colony. Therefore in mid-1882, the Friars approached the Poor Clare Sisters in Ireland to educate the children in the Franciscan district of Waverley.

Three Poor Clare Sisters from the Newry convent – Teresa Lawless, M Dominic Cunningham and Francisca Sloan, together with the three Poor Clare Sisters from the Keady convent – Patrick Murray, Antonia O’Hare, and Aloysius O’Hare, travelled to Australia. Departing on 4 October 1883, the feast of St Francis of Assisi, they arrived in Sydney on 23 November 1883. The foundation stone of the St Clare’s school was laid in December 1883 and was officially opened and blessed by Archbishop Moran on 28 October 1884. Registration was obtained in 1921, during which time, the college was fully equipped for every level of public education.

Sister M Teresa Lawless was principal with 20 girls enrolled. In 1910, and again in 1929, extensions were added to accommodate the increasing enrolments. The Assembly Hall opened in mid-1930 and in 1953 an additional wing was built dedicated to the pioneer Sisters.

With government funding, the Claverie and O’Sullivan wings were constructed providing science laboratories, a library, offices, computing, and sports facilities. In 1983, additional buildings were purchased to provide facilities for the Visual Arts and Design and Technology departments. 

In 1996, the Governing Council of the Poor Clare Sisters incorporated the college as a company with limited liability. This was to ensure that the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ was carried on, with or without the presence of the Poor Clare Sisters in the college. 

In 2011, the Poor Clare Sisters decided to hand over the governance of the college to the Archdiocese of Sydney. A new chapter began in 2013, as St Clare’s College was now part of the archdiocesan system of schools. 

The college retains its strong Franciscan focus and maintains its links with the Poor Clare Sisters and their traditions. Embracing simplicity, joy, and profound reverence for every person, all of creation, and the Creator of all.

From those humble beginnings, the college continues to grow, both in student numbers, Alumni, our physical environment, and community.

Mission: We empower and inspire young women to value learning, to seek justice, and to honour their spiritual heritage. We challenge them to act in the world with integrity, a compassionate and reconciling heart, and a reverence for creation.

Vision: Our vision is to provide an extraordinary experience at St Clare’s where education and Catholic values are at the forefront in allowing every young woman to be her best self and excel in a happy and meaningful life.

Values: By valuing integrity and inspiring excellence, we shine a light on the gifts of each young woman, challenging her to action and celebrating her impact on the world.

Through our links to the Waverley parish, we are part of a community enriched by the Franciscan charism and committed to maintaining our Franciscan tradition. Students at the college participate in college Masses at Mary Immaculate both as a whole school and attending weekday masses in their classes. The religious life of St Clare’s College is nourished by the parish. Our relationship is both reverent and life-affirming as part of the mission of the Catholic school.

Parish of St Charles Borromeo

Mary Immaculate Church Waverley
A: 45A Victoria Street Waverley NSW 2024

Parish Priest: Rev Bernard Thomas OFM PP
P: (02) 9369 9328
E: parishpriest@waverleycatholic.org.au

Parish Secretary: Mrs Carla Korkor
P: (02) 9369 9399
E: office@waverleycatholic.org.au

W: www.waverleycatholic.org.au

Mass times

Day Time
Monday – Friday 9.15am
Saturday 9:15am, 9:45am Reconciliation, 5:00pm Vigil
Sunday 9:15am, 5:00pm
Proudly Part of the Community of Sydney Catholic Schools

Our school is part of a system of 147 low-fee Catholic schools in the Sydney Archdiocese.

Sydney Catholic Schools are thriving Catholic communities that ignite a love of Christ through excellent teaching and learning to empower students to reach their full potential.