Ballarat Clarendon College


Ballarat Clarendon College is a private, co-educational, day and boarding school, located in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.
The school has been the subject of legal action and media reporting concerning child protection, staff welfare, and governance issues.
Formerly affiliated with the Presbyterian Church of Australia, it now operates in association with the Uniting Church in Australia and is a member of the Ballarat Associated Schools. The school charges fees of $22,470 per year for domestic students in year 11 or year 12.

Academic standing

Clarendon students achieved a higher median VCE study score, and a higher percentage of study scores of 40 or above, than any other school in Victoria in 2023.
Academic year200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
Official Victorian Rank11th16th8th11th12th11th26th8th9th8th4th12th1st3rd4th1st1st1st
Median VCE subject study score363636363638363737373736393837383937
Percentage of VCE scores 40+28%26%32%27%28.1%31%26%34.7%32.2%30%33.6%27.5%45%38.4%32.5%35.5%45.8%34.7%

Controversy

Media investigations in 2022 reported concerns about culture and wellbeing at the College. A parent undergoing chemotherapy described the primary school environment as “emotionally unsafe” and alleged that she was “categorically” asked for a financial payoff to ensure her child’s safety. Teachers also alleged loss of toilet and lunch breaks, constant pressure, and a culture that contributed to mental health strain. In one widely reported incident, a teacher insulted students’ VCE essays and said reading them made her “want to kill herself,” which colleagues described as reflecting “a ruthless, arrogant, blinkered, and incestuous culture.”
Media reports also noted that internal investigations were conducted by individuals with close connections to the Board, raising concerns about independence and transparency.

Co-curriculum

Sport

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

BAS premierships

BCC has won the following BAS premierships.
Combined:
  • Athletics – 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996
  • Badminton – 1982, 1990, 1991
  • Cross Country – 1980, 1981, 2011
  • Lap of the Lake – 1980, 1981
Boys:
  • Athletics – 1983, 1989
  • Basketball – 1982, 1984, 1985, 1993, 1996, 2008, 2009
  • Cricket – 1980, 1988, 2005, 2009, 2016
  • Cricket T20 – 2015
  • Cross Country – 1985
  • Football – 1980, 2002, 2005, 2006
  • Hockey – 1985, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2006, 2016, 2017, 2018
  • Rowing premiership, Harold Deveson Cup – 1975, 1976, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1998, 2021, 2022
  • Soccer – 1979, 1980, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2015
  • Tennis – 1977, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2013
  • Volleyball – 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2020
Girls:
  • Athletics – 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996
  • Badminton – 2011, 2012
  • Basketball – 1990, 2001, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017
  • Cricket – 1985, 1998, 2020, 2021
  • Cross Country – 1980, 1981, 1993, 2004, 2005, 2011
  • Football – 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
  • Head of the Lake, Patterson Shield – 1981, 1983, 1984, 1989, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022
  • Hockey – 1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
  • Lap of the Lake – 1980, 1981, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011
  • Netball – 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2019
  • Road Relay – 1999, 2005, 2008
  • Rowing Premiership, J H Netherway Cup – 1981, 1984, 1989, 1990, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011*, 2013, 2014, 2021, 2022
  • Soccer – 2012, 2019, 2022
  • Softball – 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
  • Volleyball – 1978, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 2001, 2011

    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. From years 5–8 students partake in different Arts Classes which rotate each trimester, Music, Art and Drama or Dance. 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:
  • Brass – Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba
  • Woodwind – Flute, Clarinet, all Saxomaphone types, Oboe, Recorder and Bassoon
  • Piano – Piano, Contemporary Piano
  • Keyboard
  • Guitar – Classical Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar
  • Strings – Violin, Viola, Violoncello and Double Bass
  • Music Theory
  • Speech Art
  • Voice
They may participate in any of the student ensembles at the school. They are:
  • Novice Band
  • The Geoff Smith Jazz Orchestra
  • Concert Band
  • The Barry Currie Stage Band
  • Chamber Ensemble
  • Orchestra
  • Intermediate and Senior Strings
and numerous contemporary bands.
In addition, the college puts on an annual Senior School Production, Senior School Play and Middle School Production. They also have an annual Performing Arts Showcase performance for both the Junior and Senior School and a Middle School and Senior School Presentation Night.

Notable alumni

Art
  • David Davies, Artist
  • Gwyn Hanssen Pigott, Ceramic artist
Defence
Diplomatic service
  • William Paterson, PSM, former Australian Ambassador and Australian Ambassador Counter Terrorism
  • Sir Patrick Shaw, Australian Ambassador to Washington 1974–75
Fashion
  • Joe Saba, Fashion designer
Law
Performing arts/media
  • Kimberley Davies, Actress
  • Bill Hunter, Actor
  • Elsie Morison, Soprano
  • Benjamin Northey, Conductor
Politics
  • John Button, Senator
  • Bernard Dowiyogo, President, Nauru
  • Michael Ronaldson, Senator
AFL
Other sport
  • Percy Beames, Cricket, represented Victoria 1933–46; team captain 1946
  • Graham Crouch, Athletics, Olympian Montreal 1976
  • Lucas Hamilton, Cycling, Olympian, 2021 Tour de France rider
  • Sarah Heard, Rowing, Olympian and World Champion
  • Shirley McIver, Olympian
  • Stewart McSweyn, Athletics, Olympian
  • Stefan Nigro, Football, A-League player
  • Sharon Stewart, Athletics, Olympian
  • Andrew Symonds, Cricket, Australian national representative
  • Kat Werry, Rowing, Olympian and World Champion