Ballarat Clarendon College

History

Ballarat College commenced on Wednesday 6 July 1864 at the church of the Presbyterian Rev William Henderson, in Sturt Street, Ballarat. Clarendon Presbyterian Ladies' College was established by Mrs Elizabeth Kennedy, wife of the Rev Robert Kennedy in 1876. The two schools had many years of cooperative connections through their history and merged to become Ballarat Clarendon College in 1974.

In 1977 Australian Methodist, Congregational and Presbyterian churches came together to form the Uniting Church and hence the school's denomination changed from the Presbyterian Church to the Uniting Church.

Academic standing

Clarendon has been ranked number one in regional Victoria for several years. It contests that position with Ballarat Grammar School, and together they are the only schools from Ballarat to feature in the rankings of the best Victorian schools.

Laptop Computer Program

In 1995 Ballarat Clarendon College started a laptop computer program.

Students starting Year 7 in 1995 were required to lease or buy a laptop from the school's provider, Computelec; the school later expanded this program to include students from Year 5.

Students are required to have a supplied laptop computer until Year 9, after which they are permitted to bring any laptop of their choice.

Sport

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

The Boys First XI Cricket team won the premiership in the 2008/2009 season, over rivals St Patricks's College. The firsts then, after winning this premiership, made the final in "The Lord Taverner's Cup" but were defeated in Shepparton by Notre Dame College.

Another notable sport participated within the school is Rowing. The rowing program starts at Year 8 and continues through the years. In 2008 and 2010 the BCC Girls' First's Crew won the annual their respective Head of the River race at the Barwon river in Geelong and consequently won the Head of the Schoolgirls' competition.

College has built a foundation in volleyball, providing many representatives in both Boys and Girls respective competitions. The College boys have won the past 4 premierships inside the BAS realms.

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:

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

and numerous contemporary bands.

Ballarat Clarendon College also has a contemporary funk/dance band called Feet, who give regular gigs around the school, Ballarat and Victoria.

In addition, the College puts on an annual Senior School Production, Senior School Play and Middle School Production. The senior school musical in 2015 was 'Avenue Q', and the Middle School Production for 2015 was 'High School Musical.' They also have an annual Performing Arts Showcase performance for both the Junior & Senior School and a Middle School and Senior School Presentation Night.

Notable alumni

Art

Defence

Diplomatic service

Fashion

Law

Performing arts/media

Politics

Sport

Cricket

Olympians