Houses

House Connection and Sense of Belonging

All students are assigned to a House on entry into the College and remain in this House for the duration of their time at All Saints’ College. The House system provides opportunity for students to connect across their peer group, and most importantly in a vertical manner with all year levels from Kindergarten to Year 12. The six Houses (Cowan, Durack, Forrest, Murdoch, O’Connor and Stirling) are named after influential Australian’s who have contributed in some way to the rich history of Australia. As part of the College’s commitment to reconciliation, we acknowledge that with much of our Nation’s colonial past, there are many stories and truths still to share. Our students are encouraged to not only celebrate the achievements of those whose name their House bears, but to also understand the uncomfortable and at times confronting truths those same names may have inflicted upon Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We keep these House names guided by Elder’s past, present and emerging as we walk our future together.

Houses

All students are assigned to a House on entry into the College and remain in this House for the duration of their time at All Saints’ College. 

The Houses are:

COWAN HOUSE

Cowan House is named after Edith Cowan (1861–1932), the first woman to be elected to an Australian parliament. Cowan was active in the Red Cross and Anglican Church, and promoted the rights of women and improvements in child welfare. Edith Cowan University is named in her honour and her image appears on the 50-dollar note.

DURACK HOUSE

Durack House is named after the Durack family who pioneered the Kimberley region and included Mary Durack (1913–1994), a prominent writer, and Elizabeth Durack (1915–2000), a painter and illustrator.

FORREST HOUSE

Forrest House is named in honour of Sir John Forrest (1847–1918), an explorer and outstanding political and administrative figure. Forrest was Western Australia’s first Premier, and in 1901 entered the first Commonwealth Parliament where he served in several senior roles.

MURDOCH HOUSE 

Murdoch House is named after the prominent Australian academic and essayist Sir Walter Murdoch (1874–1970). In 1913 Murdoch was appointed the foundation Professor of English at the University of Western Australia, where he later served as Chancellor. Murdoch University was named in his honour.

O'CONNOR HOUSE

O’Connor House is named after Charles Yelverton O’Connor (1843–1902). O’Connor was the engineer responsible for designing Fremantle Harbour and the controversial Goldfields Water Supply Scheme.

STIRLING HOUSE

Stirling House takes its name from Sir James Stirling (1791–1865). Stirling was born in Scotland and served in the Royal Navy. In 1827 he was responsible for early exploration of the area around the Swan River and in 1829 he returned with the first settlers aboard the ’Parmelia’. He served as the Colony’s first Governor from 1829 to 1838.