Servite College

History

Members of the Servite Order came to Australia in late 1951 and by 1958 had established St. Philip’s Regional High School for Boys in Tuart Hill. In 1968 the name was changed to Servite College, and in 1973 it became the first co-educational Catholic secondary school in Western Australia.

Facilities

Information technology is prominent; the Seven Holy Founders Centre gym and auditorium are the pride of the school. A state-of-the-art science block, completed in 2003, is the most recent addition. In spite of severe limitations on space, there are opportunities for sports both within the confines of the campus as well as at a large nearby public oval. Servite College’s participation in inter-school sports competitions has been very rewarding. In 2009, the school underwent a minor scale structure change; year seven students (typically aged 11 and 12) were introduced to the school as the Saint Alexis technology wing was demolished to build a newer building, all students do exams half-yearly (per semester), and year ten students are able to choose from a variety of Western Australian Certificate of Education (previously Tertiary Entrance Exam) subjects in the preparation for their upper school levels (years 11 and 12).

School structure

The students are put into six priories (or factions): Annunziata (gold), Senario (black), San Clemente (green), St Mary (blue), Our Lady of Sorrows (purple) and St Anthony (red). Each played a role in the history of the Servite Order that was founded in Italy around 1200AD by the seven holy founders. They are further split into contact groups of about 25 students; each containing years 7-12.

Campus

Besides the classrooms (referred to by the school as "general learning areas"), Servite College has a technology centre, a state-of-the-art science block, an auditorium/lecture theatre seating over 200 persons, and an international standard gymnasium. These areas do not have airconditioning. The central area of the campus is landscaped and offers opportunity for students to gather, converse and socialise. A large practical and creative arts centre is located in a separate building; here are found facilities for woodwork, cooking, drama and dance. Music theory and practice is catered for in several adjacent locations. Servite is an institution that caters to more than 900 students. Servite does not have an oval or swimming pool.

In 2008 Servite demolished the 50-year-old southern wing of the school in order to build a modern, three story high building that was to be named after Fr Chris Ross who began his journey many years ago in a Chicago Servite school; however, he felt inclined to pass the naming of the building to celebrated Servite saint Saint Alexis. He has done a lot of work for the school and is currently the School's council president.

Athletics

Servite College competes in the Northern Associated Schools (NAS) league and the Associated Catholic Colleges' annual swimming and athletic carnivals. Its NAS competitors include Sacred Heart College, Chisholm College, Newman College and John XXIII College in Perth.

Controversy

In September 2010, Servite College received media coverage in Western Australian newspapers as Aaron Patrick Baker, a religion teacher employed by the school, was sentenced in the Perth District Court after pleading guilty to counts of possessing 2176 images and 102 videos of child pornography. Baker lost his position at Servite College and was subsequently ordered by the court to be put through psychological counselling and a sex offender treatment program.