As Mary Aikenhead Ministries educators we all work hard to sow robust values and life skills, both in and outside of the classroom, with an added emphasis on inclusion, community and embracing challenge, participation has long been a trait of O’Brien house.
Engagement at all levels builds a strong community and O’Brien House is always well represented in the sporting carnivals, House events, leadership and co-curricular opportunities on offer at the College. O’Brien students are a positive, inclusive group of individuals who celebrate community spirit and personal achievements. They consistently support College and House events with enthusiasm and demonstrate positive and inclusive attitudes that encourage and celebrate inter-house challenges.
Students and staff are all committed to making a positive difference and cherish the opportunity to support our established links with the local community, much like the early sisters did. We have worked closely with St Canice’s Church, Wayside Chapel, Lou’s Place, Rough Edges, Matthew Talbot Hostel and the Children’s Hospital Randwick. Students are very aware of ‘bridging the gap’ for others which allows them to reflect on their own opportunities while supporting those groups on the margins of society. As a House group we have taken the initiative to sponsor a student at the School of St Jude’s in Tanzania. This is an opportunity for our students to recognise the value and importance of education as they strive to become “Women of Action” in the world and to appreciate their own opportunities at the College.
In O’Brien House, we strive to model behaviour that allows students to become advocates of justice, hope, generosity of spirit and to equip students with the resilience to be independent women of action, upon completion of their studies at St Vincent’s College. This means we participate in actiion and reflection at every opportunity and practice inclusiveness at all times, nourishing relationships inside and outside the classroom.
Mrs Penelope Radford is the O’Brien Head of House. She has been with St Vincent’s College since 1997 and in this pastoral lead role since 2013. Mrs Radford teaches Science in Years 7 - 10 and Stage 6 Biology and Chemistry.
O’Brien House Patron:
Sr M Francis de Sales O’Brien
Sr M Francis de Sales, was born Catherine O’Brien on 1 June 1809 and professed on 29 August 1834. She came from a wealthy family and was educated at the Sacred Heart convent Bordeaux. She was beautiful in appearance, charming and fashionable. Mary Aikenhead sent her and two other Sisters to Paris to be trained in nursing and hospital management. She also left Sydney and ministered in Hobart. She died in 1871, aged 62.
