Welcome
Welcome to St Raphael's, which is the All-Womens' Wing of The Catholic College of St Raphael and St Paul. This year is the 45th anniversary of
St Raphael's and, in conjunction with St Paul's, a Reunion will be held over the weekend of 10/11th October, 2009 (see the Reunion page attached to this site.)
The College has a proud tradition which extends back over a period of 45 years. For the first thirty-five years of its existence, St Raphael's was run by members of The Grail, a world-wide Catholic Women's movement which is especially dedicated to the education of women throughout the world. At the commencement of 2006, St Raphael's College joined with St Paul's Catholic co-educational College to become The Combined Catholic Colleges of St Raphael & St Paul. Both Colleges operate under the auspices of The Roman Catholic Trust Corporation for the Diocese of Townsville. In 2008, the Colleges were re-named as The Catholic Colleges of St Raphael and St Paul.
In mid-2007, Mr Tom Tarttelin was appointed Principal of The Catholic College and Ms Mary Rowan was appointed Assistant Principal of the College and Head of College, St Raphael's. The Principal and Assistant Principal are required to report to a College Council on a regular basis throughout the year. The Council is comprised of 12 members who meet to discuss College business and operations with The Principal and Assistant Principal. The Principal and Assistant Principal are responsible for the day-to-day management of the College and are also responsible, through collaboration with the College Council, for policy-making decisions which directly affect the College.
The capacity of St Raphael's is for 80 students. The rooms are mainly single, domitory-style rooms, however, there are a number of ensuite rooms and flats available from time to time. Resident Assistants assist the Head of College with student management. The Head of College (Assistant Principal) lives on-site within the College in very close proximity to the students and is readily contactable at all times. A Student Executive operates within the College and is responsible for promoting student participation in the many social, cultural and sporting events in the College. The College also boasts a proud sporting history. There is a very strong emphasis on community in the College and each Resident is expected to make a contribution to promote and strengthen the College spirit and ethos. Spiritual aspects of the College include a weekly Mass (held in St Paul’s Chapel on Sunday evenings at 7pm throughout semesters,) together with various prayer meetings, scripture readings and liturgies held on a regular basis. A social justice group aligned to the St Vincent de Paul Society also operates within St Raphael's.
The College has a long tradition of overt, outstanding academic achievement, and one of its main emphases is on promoting an academic atmosphere and environment. Students within the College are engaged in courses ranging from Medicine, Law, Education, Science, Sports Science, New Media Arts, Veterinary Science, Journalism, Pharmacy, Engineering, Nursing Science, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Chemical Engineering, Archeology, Anthropology and many other disciplines. The emphasis on academic achievement does not, though, negate a vibrant social atmosphere which exists in the College and to which all residents are invited to participate. Monthly Birthday Bashes, regular Movie Nights and many other community-related activities add to the congenial atmosphere for all residents.
The College welcomes students from a diverse range of faiths, cultures and nationalities and you are welcome to browse through our remaining web-pages to familiarize yourself with the facilities and the "special environment and atmosphere" which comprises St Raphael’s. |
