Ballarat Clarendon College

37°33′31″S 143°51′04″E / 37.5587°S 143.8510°E / -37.5587; 143.8510

Ballarat Clarendon College
Ballarat
,
Victoria

Australia
Information
Typeprivate school, co-educational, day & boarding
MottoE Studis Viridis et Claritas[1]
(Out of Enthusiastic Endeavors Come Truth and Understanding)
DenominationIn association with the Uniting Church of Australia[4]
Established1864 (Ballarat College) & 1868 (Clarendon College)[2]
School number278[3]
PrincipalJen Bourke
Key peopleWilliam Henderson (Founder)
Elizabeth Kennedy (Founder)
Years offeredELC–12
GenderCo-educational
Enrolment1710
HousesPrep - Year 4: Sloan, Thwaites, Shaw

Years 5-6: Horner, McPherson, Polson, Ross, Waters

Years 7-12: Cairns, Elliot, Garbutt, Godbehear, Henderson, Kennedy, Sloss, Walker
Colour(s)Red, black, gold, blue     
VCE average37[5]
AffiliationBallarat Associated Schools
Websitewww.clarendon.vic.edu.au

Ballarat Clarendon College is a private, co-educational, day and boarding school, located in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.[6] The school has been the subject of legal action and media reporting concerning child protection, staff welfare, and governance issues.[7][8][9] Formerly affiliated with the Presbyterian Church of Australia, it now operates in association with the Uniting Church in Australia (but is not governed or managed by the Church[10]) and is a member of the Ballarat Associated Schools. The school charges fees of $22,470 per year for domestic students in year 11 or year 12.[11]

Academic standing

Clarendon students achieved a higher median VCE study score, and a higher percentage of study scores of 40 or above, than any other school in Victoria in 2023.[12]

Academic year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Official Victorian Rank[13] 11th 16th 8th 11th 12th 11th 26th 8th 9th 8th 4th 12th 1st 3rd 4th 1st 1st 1st
Median VCE subject study score 36 36 36 36 36 38 36 37 37 37 37 36 39 38 37 38 39 37
Percentage of VCE scores 40+ 28% 26% 32% 27% 28.1% 31% 26% 34.7% 32.2% 30% 33.6% 27.5% 45% 38.4% 32.5% 35.5% 45.8% 34.7%

Major controversies

Ballarat Clarendon College has been the subject of media reporting, legal scrutiny, and regulatory attention in relation to child protection, student and staff welfare, and governance practices.

Child protection obligations

The law firm Arnold Thomas Becker has confirmed it settled a civil claim of child sexual abuse involving Ballarat Clarendon College.[7] Under Australian law, schools carry non-delegable responsibilities for student safety. The High Court of Australia decision in Commonwealth v Introvigne (1982) confirmed that schools must maintain an elevated duty of care.[14] In Victoria, obligations include mandatory reporting of suspected abuse under the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) s.327 and the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic) s.182.[15][16] Following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, reforms created a statutory “duty to protect,” with institutions held strictly liable if reasonable steps were not taken.[17] The Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic), Part XIII, and the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Act 2018 (Cth) provide further avenues for liability and redress.[18][19] The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission requires charities to cooperate with redress mechanisms under its governance standards.[20]

Student and staff welfare

Media investigations in 2022 reported concerns about culture and wellbeing at the College.[8][9] A parent undergoing chemotherapy described the primary school environment as “emotionally unsafe” and alleged that she was “categorically” asked for a financial payoff to ensure her child’s safety.[8] Teachers also alleged loss of toilet and lunch breaks, constant pressure (“they are constantly grilling you”), and a culture that contributed to mental health strain.[8] In one widely reported incident, a teacher insulted students’ VCE essays and said reading them made her “want to kill herself,” which colleagues described as reflecting “a ruthless, arrogant, blinkered, and incestuous culture.”[21]

Governance issues

Following his resignation as Principal in 2022, David Shepherd was appointed to the boards of four related entities: the school, the Foundation, the Property Corporation, and the Property Trust. These appointments were not widely disclosed to parents or the public.[22][23][24][25] Media reports also noted that internal investigations were conducted by individuals with close connections to the Board, raising concerns about independence and transparency.[8]

Co-curriculum

Sport

The college participates in many sports both within and outside the Ballarat Associated Schools.

BAS premierships

BCC has won the following BAS premierships.[26]

Combined:

  • Athletics (12) – 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996
  • Badminton (3) – 1982, 1990, 1991
  • Cross Country (3) – 1980, 1981, 2011
  • Lap of the Lake (2) – 1980, 1981

Boys:

  • Athletics (2) – 1983, 1989
  • Basketball (7) – 1982, 1984, 1985, 1993, 1996, 2008, 2009
  • Cricket (5) – 1980, 1988, 2005, 2009, 2016
  • Cricket T20 – 2015
  • Cross Country – 1985
  • Football (4) – 1980, 2002, 2005, 2006
  • Hockey (8) – 1985, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2006, 2016, 2017, 2018
  • Rowing premiership, Harold Deveson Cup (8) – 1975, 1976, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1998, 2021, 2022
  • Soccer (7) – 1979, 1980, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2015
  • Tennis (5) – 1977, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2013
  • Volleyball (5) – 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2020

Girls:

  • Athletics (12) – 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996
  • Badminton (2) – 2011, 2012
  • Basketball (6) – 1990, 2001, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017
  • Cricket (4) – 1985, 1998, 2020, 2021
  • Cross Country (6) – 1980, 1981, 1993, 2004, 2005, 2011
  • Football (14) – 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
  • Head of the Lake, Patterson Shield (14)[27] – 1981, 1983, 1984, 1989, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022
  • Hockey (21) – 1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
  • Lap of the Lake (7) – 1980, 1981, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011
  • Netball (13) – 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2019
  • Road Relay (3) – 1999, 2005, 2008
  • Rowing Premiership, J H Netherway Cup (11)[28] – 1981, 1984, 1989, 1990, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011*, 2013, 2014, 2021, 2022
  • Soccer (2) – 2012, 2019, 2022
  • Softball (10) – 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
  • Volleyball (7) – 1978, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 2001, 2011

Performing arts

The school has a free standing building on the east of the senior campus where all aspects of Performing Arts take place, subsequently called, the Performing Arts Centre (PAC). From years 5–8 students partake in different Arts Classes which rotate each trimester, Music, Art and Drama or Dance (alternating each year). In year 9 students are able to choose which performing and visual arts they do for each term and Year 10 and VCE students may choose out of the various higher level VCE arts classes the school offers. Students accordingly participate in music lessons for:

  • Brass – Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba
  • Woodwind – Flute, Clarinet (+Bass Clarinet), all Saxomaphone types, Oboe, Recorder and Bassoon
  • Piano – Piano, Contemporary Piano
  • Keyboard
  • Guitar – Classical Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar
  • Strings – Violin, Viola, Violoncello and Double Bass
  • Music Theory
  • Speech Art
  • Voice (Classical And Contemporary)

They may participate in any of the student ensembles at the school. They are:

  • Novice Band
  • The Geoff Smith Jazz Orchestra
  • Concert Band
  • The Barry Currie Stage Band
  • Chamber Ensemble
  • Orchestra
  • Intermediate and Senior Strings

and numerous contemporary bands.

In addition, the college puts on an annual Senior School Production, Senior School Play and Middle School Production. They also have an annual Performing Arts Showcase performance for both the Junior and Senior School and a Middle School and Senior School Presentation Night.

Notable alumni

Art

Defence

Diplomatic service

  • William Paterson, PSM, former Australian Ambassador (Thailand) and Australian Ambassador Counter Terrorism
  • Sir Patrick Shaw, Australian Ambassador to Washington 1974–75

Fashion

Law

Performing arts/media

Politics

AFL

Other sport

  • Percy Beames, Cricket, represented Victoria 1933–46; team captain 1946
  • Graham Crouch, Athletics, Olympian Montreal 1976
  • Lucas Hamilton, Cycling, Olympian, 2021 Tour de France rider
  • Sarah Heard, Rowing, Olympian and World Champion
  • Shirley McIver, Olympian
  • Stewart McSweyn, Athletics, Olympian
  • Stefan Nigro, Football, A-League player
  • Sharon Stewart, Athletics, Olympian
  • Andrew Symonds, Cricket, Australian national representative
  • Kat Werry, Rowing, Olympian and World Champion

See also

References

  1. ^ "2007 College Handbook". What's Happening. Ballarat Clarendon College. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 17 December 2007.
  2. ^ "Ballarat Clarendon College". Vic Schools. School Choice. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 17 December 2007.
  3. ^ "State Register - Provider details". Vrqa.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Associated Schools" https://victas.uca.org.au/community-learning/uniting-church-schools/
  5. ^ "VCE School Ranking – 2020".
  6. ^ "School Performance Information 2014". Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority. 2014.
  7. ^ a b [https://www.arnoldthomasbecker.com.au/blog/child-abuse-claim-settled-at-ballarat-school Arnold Thomas Becker – Child abuse claim settled at Ballarat school], accessed 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d e [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-10/ballarat-clarendon-college-bullying-allegations/101516634 ABC News – Bullying allegations at Ballarat Clarendon College] (10 October 2022).
  9. ^ a b [https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/ballarat/whistleblowers-claim-bullying-misogyny-at-ballarat-clarendon-college/news-story/96443c3444801658043813b581c9fb9c Herald Sun – Whistleblowers claim bullying, misogyny at Ballarat Clarendon College] (10 October 2022).
  10. ^ "Associated Schools". Uniting Church in Australia. Synod of Victoria and Tasmania. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  11. ^ "Admissions Fees". Ballarat Clarendon College. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Victoria High School Ranking [2024]: Which is the Best?". School Informer. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  13. ^ "VCE School Ranking – 2019". bettereducation.com.au. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  14. ^ Commonwealth v Introvigne (1982) 150 CLR 258 (HCA).
  15. ^ Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), s.327.
  16. ^ Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic), s.182.
  17. ^ Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Final Report (2017).
  18. ^ Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic), Part XIII.
  19. ^ National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Act 2018 (Cth).
  20. ^ [https://www.acnc.gov.au/tools/factsheets/governance-standards ACNC – Governance Standards].
  21. ^ [https://www.heraldsun.com.au/victoria-education/ballarat-clarendon-college-teachers-shock-outburst-reflective-of-schools-culture/news-story/829c3b53b51a4217b4a0decb5d1b8ae7 Herald Sun – Teachers’ shock outburst reflective of school’s culture] (11 October 2022).
  22. ^ [https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/35428ecd-38af-e811-a963-000d3ad24077/people ACNC – Ballarat Clarendon College, Responsible Persons].
  23. ^ [https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/8ed5800e-39af-e811-a961-000d3ad24182/people ACNC – Ballarat Clarendon College Foundation].
  24. ^ [https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/a03311b2-90f0-e911-a811-000d3ad1cd99/people ACNC – Ballarat Clarendon College Property Corporation].
  25. ^ [https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/bdb8c5a9-6225-ec11-b6e6-002248119974/profile ACNC – Ballarat Clarendon College Property Trust].
  26. ^ "Past Results". bas.vic.edu.au. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  27. ^ "Results Summary, Girls Ballarat Head of the Lake". www.rowinghistory-aus.info. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  28. ^ "Girls' Premiership for the J H Netherway Cup". www.rowinghistory-aus.info. Retrieved 2 February 2023.


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