Luther College

History

Opened in 1964, Luther College is a school of the Lutheran Church of Australia, named for the father of the Lutheran Church, Dr. Martin Luther, a 16th-century German theologian.

Formerly a boarding school, Luther College accepted international and regional boarders in addition to local day students. However, after a decline in international enrolment and worries about the growth of the student body in relation to the school's facilities, the boarding program ended at the end of 2002, with the associated facilities subsequently adapted into classrooms or demolished.

Religious education

As a school of the Lutheran Church of Australia, Luther College students participate in mandatory religious education classes (called Christian Studies) in years 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12. In Year 9 they complete a separate program called RITE Journey, which has religious aspects to it.

All students from all year levels attend a chapel service in the school's chapel three days out of the week, with one year level assembly and one day being an extended homegroup.

The school's campus contains a special Ministry Centre which contains the offices of the school's two chaplains as well as the school counsellor.

Involvement with Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School

Both Luther College and The Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School are private schools, as well as schools of the Lutheran Church of Australia. Both their campuses are located in Croydon Hills, separated by two sporting ovals.

The schools share many of their facilities, including the sporting ovals, as well as the Luther College chapel which is used by the primary school for special occasions. The schools have very similar uniforms, and until 2004 their physical education uniforms were almost identical.

As many as 80% of Good Shepherd students attend Luther College after the completion of year 6, due to the school's close proximity and affordable fees. Due to this, students of the schools share a close relationship. Many collegiates undertake work experience or voluntary service placements at Good Shepherd, and both schools often present chapel services for each other.

Sport

Luther is a member of the Eastern Independent Schools of Melbourne.

Houses

Luther College has six houses allocated by the school to each student upon entry. Each house is allocated into multiple homegroups, in which students are to attend every morning. These houses participate in sporting events such as cross country and athletics day and other social events such as public speaking.

EISM premierships

Luther has won the following EISM senior premierships.

Combined:

Athletics (16) – 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021

Cross Country (16) – 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

Boys:

Athletics (9) – 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2019, 2021

Basketball (7) – 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 2004

Cricket (7) – 1971, 1988, 1990, 1996, 2013, 2014, 2018

Cross Country (16) – 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

Football – 1976

Handball – 2002

Hockey (6) – 1992, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2004, 2006

Indoor Soccer – 2008

Soccer (3) – 1987, 1995, 2002

Table Tennis (4) – 1978, 1982, 1984, 2015

Tennis (5) – 1972, 1974, 1994, 1999, 2001

Touch Rugby (4) – 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

Volleyball (7) – 1977, 1979, 1980, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2016

Notable alumni

360 (Matthew Colwell) – hip hop artist

Sarah Blanck – sailor

Tom Boyd – former AFL player for the Western Bulldogs and the GWS Giants

Greig Fraser – Oscar winning, Emmy Award–winning cinematographer

Ash Grunwald – blues and roots artist

Dan McStay, AFL footballer

Kathleen O'Kelly-Kennedy – Paralympian (bronze medal, basketball, Beijing 2008)