Whitefriars College is a Roman Catholic Independent school for boys located in the Melbourne suburb of Donvale, Australia. Established in 1961, the college reflects the tradition of the Carmelites, and is recognised for its uniform's brown blazer with the college crest appearing on the breast pocket. The college has been a member of the Associated Catholic Colleges since 1999. The college was one of the first schools in Victoria to implement a notebook-computer program, which has now transitioned to a notebook-tablet program, in which every student is provided with a notebook-tablet.
Contents
House system
The college has eight houses, each one named after a Carmelite of note. The houses are:
As there is a vertical pastoral care (more commonly known as homeroom) system at the college, each house is made up of six pastoral care groups and each group contains approximately 24 students. This change was made in 2005. Each house is governed by a Head of House. Unlike other schools, students at Whitefriars College are more so responsible to their respective Head of House combined with Pastoral Care teacher, than that of their Year level co-ordinator.
Curriculum
Whitefriars College offers its senior students the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE).
50 years celebration
The college celebrated its 50th year in operation from 2010 to 2011. The school received a New Chapel, Quadrangle and Classrooms to commemorate the occasion. In addition to this, some existing classrooms were also renovated. Students were also presented with a 50-year badge to be worn on their blazer lapel.
Sport
Whitefriars is a member of the Associated Catholic Colleges (ACC).
ACC premierships
Whitefriars has won the following ACC premierships.
Basketball (11) – 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2019
Cricket (5) – 2002, 2003, 2012, 2015, 2020
Football (4) – 2004, 2005, 2013, 2014
Hockey (3) – 2014, 2015, 2017
Swimming (13) – 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Tennis (6) – 2011, 2012, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2023
Community service
The school has two student-run community service organisations, the Key Club, sponsored by the Doncaster-Templestowe Kiwanis, and Young St. Vinnie's. Both groups work in the school community as well as in the wider community on a number of projects. The Key Club runs a recycling drive and St Vinnie's runs a weekly blood donation drive, in which VCE students are encouraged to give blood.
Brad Gocht, professional [career/achievement]
Notable alumni
John Blakey – North Melbourne Football Club Premiership player
Mark Bunn- Fitzroy and Hawthorn footballer
Jackson Archer- AFL player
Pat Cash-tennis player
Sam Collins – Fremantle Football Club, Gold Coast Football Club Footballer and No. 55 2015 NAB AFL Draft
Patrick Cronin – Manslaughter victim
Stephen Donaghue – Solicitor-General of Australia
Stephen Gilham- AFL player, Hawthorn premiership player
Damian Keogh- Basketballer
David Morris – 2010 Olympic Aerial Skier and Australian record holder; 2014 Winter Olympic silver medalist.
John Murphy- Australian rules footballer
Marc Murphy (2005) – Carlton Footballer and No. 1 AFL Draft Pick. Former Captain of Carlton Football Club
Xavier O'Neill – West Coast Eagles footballer
Andy Otten (2007) – Adelaide Football Club and No. 27 draft pick 2007
Christian Petracca – Melbourne Football Club Footballer and No. 2 2014 NAB AFL Draft, 2021 Premiership player, 2021 Norm Smith Medalist
Victor Perton – Long standing member for Doncaster (1988–2006)
Controversy
In 2019, Whitefriars reached a confidential settlement with a student relating to accusations that the school failed to take adequate action after an older student allegedly groomed and sexually abused at least two younger boys.
On May 5, 2023, two Year 9 students were taken to Box Hill Hospital at 9am and 12:50pm respectively following allergic reactions to vapes laced with Cannabis and LSD.