Our History

Santa Clara School was established in 1953 and the Convent built in1958.

In 1999, the Dominican Sisters of Western Australia years of pursuing Dominic’s vision, inspired by his life and work as they continue to “contemplate and pass on to others the fruits of their contemplation” into the 21st Century.

The original Santa Clara school/church was a one room stone building which was used for both educational and religious purposes. Surrounded by sand, bush and the devout and tenacious faith of the pioneer Bentley settlers, this modest structure was officially opened and blessed by Archbishop Prendiville in August 1952. A separate church was completed in 1963. By then the school had increased to six classrooms.

The first Santa Clara teachers were Dominican Sisters. In the true spirit of St Dominic, the Sisters taught in the school and worked in the parish for nearly forty years and their example of love and service is built into the very walls and traditions of Santa Clara. A beautiful commemorative banner dedicated to the Sisters hangs in the school library.

In 1992 the old buildings were finally replaced by a modern two storey school complex which includes administrative offices, a library, a canteen and a computing centre, as well as seven classrooms. The pre-primary was completed in 1993.

In renewed beauty and strength, therefore, Santa Clara School continues to meet the challenge of educating for the future.

School Factions

Larney

Sister Anne Larney taught at Santa Clara as a young Nun during the 1960’s and was known as Sister M. Bernard. She lived in the convent with other Nuns which is the house which the Priest now lives. At the time, all classes except for one were taught by the Dominican Sisters. She left Santa Clara after a few years and worked in country areas including the Motor mission and other Dominical schools.     She returned to Santa Clara as Principal from 1983-1992. She proved to be an outstanding leader who was able to create a happy, professional, cohesive and cooperative staff. This resulted in a safe and supportive learning environment for the children and families. She was responsible for leading the rebuild of the whole school, a modern two-story school complex which included administrative offices, a library, a canteen and a computing centre, as well as seven classrooms. This is the building we have today. She kept the Irish heritage alive within the school through various celebrations and feast days. She had a special love for Irish dancing and brought a special joy to the school community.   Sister Anne Larney was the last Dominican Principal at Santa Clara. She left a legacy, not just in rebuilding the school, but in her relationships with people. She was an inspiration to others through her spiritual and prayer life and the high standards she set for herself and staff members. She showed genuine care and concern for others and was understanding and compassionate to those in need at various times.

Clare

St Clare is an Italian saint. She was one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. Saint Clare of Assisi was of noble birth and was originally known as Chiara Offreduccio di Favaronne in Assisi – she was the oldest child in her family.   When she was 18 years old, she heard Francis of Assisi preaching. She was extremely moved by his sermon, so she ran away to join him. She heard him say: “When there is poverty with joy, there is inner peace.” She became deeply determined to live out the gospel message in a radical way. On the evening of Palm Sunday, she secretly left her paternal home with her cousin Pacifica, never to return. In the dead of night lit only by torches, Clare met Francis and his friars at the ‘Portiuncola’. There, in the little chapel of ‘Mary of the Angels’, Francis cut her long blond hair and Clare laid aside her fine clothes, clothing herself in a simple dress of sackcloth and a thick veil. She vowed from that moment on to give herself totally to God, her eternal spouse.   Francis didn’t have a place for women to stay, so he sent her to the Benedictine convent in San Paulo. Clare’s relatives found out where she was staying, but when they arrived to take her back home (they had planned for her to be married at 15), she clung to the altar saying she would only wed Christ. When she was staying in another monastery in Panzo, she was reunited with her younger sister, Agnes. Later, when she was 21, she was moved to another convent next to the San Damiano church, where she was appointed the superior for 40 years. In that church, she was reunited with her mother and her other sister named Beatrice. Clare was the first woman to follow the life of radical poverty practiced by St Francis of Assisi   Saint Clare of Assisi will be remembered for founding the “Order of Poor Ladies”, later named “Poor Clares.” The order of Poor Clares was an order that had strict rules, such as silence vows, poverty, and strict fasting. They wore no shoes, ate no meat, lived in a poor house and kept silent at most times. The Poor Clares was an order for women so they could become closer to God.