Founded in 1880, Riverview is an all-boys day and boarding school catering for Years 5–12 and located 12km from the centre of Sydney. Riverview is a Catholic school moulded in the Ignatian tradition, where each boy is provided the opportunities to discover the talents God has given him and use them “for the greater glory of God”. The school strives for excellence in all things, as is evident in the College motto, Quantum potes, tantum aude (“As Much as You Can Do, So Much Dare to Do”), which challenges students to go beyond mediocrity and achieve their full potential.
Facilities: A legacy of the vision of the early Jesuits, the College is fortunate to have spacious grounds covering over 110 acres on picturesque Burns Bay and the Lane Cove River. From the state-of-the-art library, completed in 2008, to the 129-year-old St Michael’s House, the buildings and grounds cater for the academic, physical and spiritual needs of the boys while maintaining a connection with the rich traditions of the past.Curriculum: Aboriginal Studies, Agriculture, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Chinese, Classical Greek, Commerce, Design and Technology, Drama, Economics, Engineering Studies, English, French, Geography, History, Industrial Technology, Information Processes and Technology Italian, Latin, Mathematics, Music, PD/Health/PE, Photographic and Digital Media, Physics, Primary Industries, Science, Studies of Religion, Visual Arts, Writing Mastery.
Sport: Summer: basketball, cricket, golf, fencing, martial arts (tae kwon do), mountain bike cycling, sailing, swimming, surf life-saving, rowing, tennis, water polo. Winter: Australian rules, cross-country running, fencing, football, martial arts (tae kwon do), mountain bike cycling, rugby, snow sports, tennis, volleyball. Summer–Autumn: track and field.
Extracurricular activities: A strong emphasis on debating, Music and Drama is a feature. The school’s focus on social justice is evident in the community service opportunities in which each boy must partake every year. More in-depth challenges are provided through the College’s Immersion Program which brings staff and students to marginalised communities in Australia and overseas. Finding “God in all things and all things in God” becomes more than just words — it is a real experience.
Welfare and personal development: Each student in Years 5 to 8 has a homeroom teacher while those in Years 9 to 12 are placed in the care of a Housemaster and Tutor, who meet on a daily basis with each boy and offer advice and guidance. The homeroom teachers, Housemasters and Tutors are supported by careers advisers, chaplains and school counsellors. Additionally, the Centre for Teaching and Learning Support offers a wide range of services to all students, including both an extension program for gifted and talented students and an innovative Special Education Immersion Program for boys with special needs.
Special features: Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview is a member of the GPS group of schools. Boarders, whose presence is valued for the contribution they make to the character of the school, are given a high priority in enrolment. The school’s means-tested Bursary Program provides assistance to those families who otherwise would not be able to afford a Riverview education.