Established in 1971 through the amalgamation of the Convent of the Sacred Heart (established 1882) and Kincoppal (established 1909), today the school is non-selective, with a co-educational primary school and a girls' only secondary school, catering for approximately 971 students from kindergarten to year 12,[1] including 150 boarders.[2]
Kincoppal-Rose Bay traces its origins to the establishment of two schools. The first, the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Rose Bay, was founded in 1882. The other was founded in 1909 at Kincoppal, the former Elizabeth Bay residence of prominent Catholic businessman John Hughes. The name "Kincoppal" came from a nearby rock in Sydney Harbour that, viewed from a certain position, looks like a horse's head.[8] ("Kincoppal" means "horse's head", the Anglicisation of the Gaeilge (Irish) words "ceann" (head) and "capall" (horse).)
In 1971, the two schools amalgamated at the campus of the Convent of the Sacred Heart, and became known as Kincoppal-Rose Bay, School of the Sacred Heart.[3]
The original building, leased in 1882 and later purchased by the Society of the Sacred Heart, was a private home built in 1851. Margaret MacRory arrived in 1885 and she taught at the school.[9]
The first permanent school building, completed in 1888, was the five-level central facade. The chapel, by the architect John Horbury Hunt, was begun in 1897 and completed in 1900. In 1907 Mother Margaret MacRory became the school's head. She would go on to found a college of the University of Sydney.[9]
Buildings were gradually added to meet the needs of school, community and novitiate. The secondary school was solely a boarding school until the 1960s, when day students were admitted.
The primary day school was located in the main school building until 1951, when an adjoining property was purchased. The building was set up as a primary school and named "Barat-Burn". That building was demolished in 1966 and replaced with the present Junior school.
In 1982, the school celebrated the centenary of its foundation and the arrival of the first religious in Australia. To commemorate the occasion, Sister Leila Barlow wrote and published Living Stones, a book reviewing the spirit, tradition and events of the school's first hundred years.
Today, Kincoppal comprises a fully co-educational P-6 Junior School for day students, and a Senior School for girls in years 7 to 12, with both day and boarding students attending from metropolitan, rural and international destinations.
Kincoppal-Rose Bay is situated on a single campus in suburban Rose Bay, overlooking Sydney Harbour. The school features a mix of 19th century and modern buildings, gardens and fields.
Convent of the Sacred Heart, c. 1930s
As of 2007[update] facilities of the school included:
Boarding school Accommodating up to 150 students from Years 7 to 12. Provides dormitory-style accommodation with bed/study cubicles for junior boarders and bed-study rooms which accommodate one or several students for senior boarders. Sheldon House, completed in 1998, provides accommodation for Year 12 students.[2]
Chapel A central part of the school and regarded as one of the finest works of famous Architect, John Horbury Hunt. Used by students, staff and the School community for Masses, feast days, weddings and special occasions such as the Vale Mass and the Procession of the Lanterns.[10]
Harbour Terrace Located above the school library, this flat roof area has uninterrupted views down Sydney Harbour. Used by students during lunch and recess breaks, and is also the venue for the Vale (graduation) Luncheon.[11]
Hughes Centre Used for assemblies, school productions, concerts, examinations and special events. Equipped with an auditorium seating approximately 550 in theatre-style, stage, backstage area, audio/visual system, lighting, heating, grand piano and risers.[12]
Junior School Learning Centre Incorporating the Junior School Library, an IT Centre and a drop-in independent learning area with access to IT and print resources.[13]
Mary Agnes O'Neil Library Opened 1998. Features separate floors for fiction and research, computer and printing facilities and two seminar rooms.[14]
McGuinness Centre A gymnasium with a fully sprung floor.[15]
Maureen Tudehope Centre A multi-purpose centre comprising an auditorium, stage, basketball court, heated indoor pool, fitness centre, dance studio and change room facilities. Used for sporting and recreational activities, whole school assemblies and other special events.
Performing Arts Centre Refurbished in 1998. Used by both Junior and Senior students for orchestral and choral rehearsals and performances.[16]
Santas' Field A sports field for Junior school students.[15]
Sheldon Swimming Pool A 25-metre outdoor pool, situated on the harbour side of the School.[15]
Sports Field Including 5 tennis courts and a large, flat area for competitive track and field events.[15]
Houses
There are four primary houses at Kincoppal Rose Bay, all with aboriginal names. Each year separate junior school and high school carnivals are held for both swimming and athletics, and all students compete for their house. There are house captains in both the junior school and high school, who arrange cheers for the students to participate in. At the carnivals, there is a spirited cup (for house cheers) and a points cup (for the winner of the most sports at the carnival). In house colours, students also participate in inter-house singing competitions.
Tangara – (Blue and white) Meaning 'To go', the mascot for Tangara is the beetle.
Arakoola – (Green and gold) The mascot for this team is the frog; the name means to be in front
Murramai – (Red and green) The mascot for this team is a rabbit, the name is an indigenous word for a crayfish.
Kungala – (Black and gold) The mascot for this team is a tiger, and the name means to shout and listen.
The boarding school has three primary houses, each named after a significant contributor to the Society of the Sacred Heart. Throughout the school year, inter-house competitions are undertaken, where all girls wear their house shirt. During the first term, an 'In-Weekend' is held, during which all boarders must stay in the boarding house. The first competition takes place here with a trivia night for all boarders from years 7–12, with house points awarded, and a trophy for the winning house at the end of the year.
Stuart (red) – Janet Erskine Stuart, fifth Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart, wrote The Education of Catholic Girls.
In popular culture
Kincoppal-Rose Bay has been used as a set for a number of films including Looking for Alibrandi and Our Lips Are Sealed. The school has also featured in numerous television series', including Spirited and Spyforce.
^Cunneen, Chris (2005). "Hughes, John (1825–1885)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. Supplementary (Online ed.). Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. pp. 190–191. Retrieved 7 August 2007.
^ abShanahan, Mary, "Margaret MacRory (1862–1931)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 28 January 2024
^"Chapel". Facilities. Kincoppal-Rose Bay. Archived from the original on 31 August 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
^"Harbour Terrace". Facilities. Kincoppal-Rose Bay. Archived from the original on 31 August 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
^"Hughes Centre". Facilities. Kincoppal-Rose Bay. Archived from the original on 31 August 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
^Roberts, Alan (1988). "Simpson, Helen de Guerry (1897 - 1940)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 11 (Online ed.). Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. pp. 611–612. Retrieved 7 August 2007.
^Suzannah Pearce, ed. (17 November 2006). "Turnbull, Lucy". Who's Who in Australia Live!. North Melbourne, Vic: Crown Content Pty Ltd.
