House System

Campion House is named after Sir Edmund Campion SJ (1539-1581), a popular figure at Oxford and the scholar who represented the University when Elizabeth I visited. He later became a Catholic and then a Jesuit and was sent with the first party of Jesuits to found the English mission. He moved among Catholics and published effectively. Arrested, he was tortured and then martyred at Tyburn. He was chosen as House patron for his example as a scholar-saint, a man of wit and charm and an adventurer, loyal to the Church.

Cheshire House is named after Group Captain Sir Leonard Cheshire, VC, OM, DSO, DFC, who was a bomber pilot and observer of the atomic attack on Nagasaki. After his most distinguished war record, he turned his attention to the needy, founding 270 homes for the orphaned and disabled. Chosen as a patron of a House for his examples as a layman, a leader in the service of others and an outstanding Christian in the world, he was made A “Life Peer“ in the 1991 Queen's Honour List. He died on 31 July, 1992 (Saint Ignatius' Day) aged 74.

Chisholm House is named after Caroline Chisholm (1808 - 1877) who was an independent, voluntary worker for female immigrants and for settling immigrant families in the early days of the New South Wales colony. She was chosen as House Patron for her great energy, human sympathy, administrative ability, personal charm and dignity. Caroline Chisholm was essentially a woman of action with many fine human qualities and, above all, an undying faith in God.

Claver House is named after Saint Peter Claver SJ (1581-1664) who worked tirelessly for the African slaves at the slave port of Cartagena. Chosen as a House Patron because of his example, Peter Claver devoted himself to the oppressed and the refugees, seeking their betterment through his own conviction of 'a faith that does justice'.

Dalton House is named after Fr Joseph Dalton SJ (1817-1905), who was the first Rector of Saint Ignatius' College and the guiding spirit of Riverview's first twenty-five years. He was chosen as a House Patron because he moulded an environment in which love for creation - humans, animals, natural beauty and above all for God, was treasured. He promoted respect for all individuals and encouraged in the boys the friendly and gentle nature which we still today cherish as traits of Riverview students.

Fernando House is named after Richie Fernando SJ, a Jesuit missionary from the Philippines who sacrificed his life to protect his students. For Richie, education was a means of liberating people, freeing them for a future. He was strongly drawn to work with the poor and found life among them. He was passionate, too, about justice. Pastoral care—even for those who, at times, might appear the most unlovable— was always a priority.

Gonzaga House is named after Saint Aloysuis Gonzaga (1568-1591). The eldest son of the Marquis of Castiglione, he renounced his title, wealth and prestige, joining the Society of Jesus in 1585. After serving the sick during the plague in Rome in 1591, he caught the illness and died. He was declared a universal patron of youth in 1725 and canonised in 1726.

MacKillop House is named after Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop (1842-1909), who was the co-founder of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart. She is the first Australian to be canonised and is well-known for her charity works throughout Australia. She founded schools for the poor and cared for anyone in need: orphans, elderly and friendless of all ages. Throughout life she faced many adversities but always exhibited determination, compassion, honesty, humility and courage. She strived to 'never see a need without doing something about it!'

More House is named after Sir Thomas More (1477-1535), Chancellor of England, who earned the displeasure of Henry VIII for his stand on the divorce from Catherine. He was chosen as House Patron because he was a man of scholarship, humour and holiness; a married layman and public official and 'the King's good servant, but God's first.'

Owen House is named after Saint Nicholas Owen SJ (d. 1606), a Jesuit Brother who worked in the English Mission as a companion to the priests. He was a skilled carpenter, building the famous hiding holes for the priests during the persecution. He was chosen as a House Patron to acknowledge the enormous role played at Riverview by the Jesuit Brothers from 1880 until the present, and for his example of a man dedicating the spiritual and manual gifts to the service of God and neighbour.

Ricci House is named after Father Matteo Ricci (1552-1610), founder of the Jesuit Mission to China in 1583, which started sustained European contact with China. He was a scholar who worked with such patience and so little sign of success for so long, sustained by his commitment as a Jesuit until, at last, entry was gained to the Imperial Court for the preaching of the Gospel. He was chosen as a House Patron because of his scholarship and perseverance, despite all odds, for the sake of Christ, and because of his expanding vision of the Church's mission and his tenacity.

Romero House Named after Oscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador who was murdered for protecting the poor and oppressed. He has been declared a Servant of God (on the way to Sainthood). He is honored in other Christian traditions (Anglican and Lutheran). He has strong links with the Jesuits. There are lots of images of him—both photographic and more artistic—which are both graphic and inspiring.

Smith House is named after Colleen Shirley Perry Smith AM MBE (1921–1998), a humanitarian, prominent Australian and activist committed to justice and welfare of the First Nations people. She was a founding member of the Aboriginal Legal Service, Aboriginal Medical Service, Aboriginal Tent Embassy, the Aboriginal Children's Service, and the Aboriginal Housing Company in Redfern. Throughout her lifetime she visited countless incarcerated First Nations men, encouraging them, finding their families, and helping them to regain health. She helped raise over sixty children in need of a home; improved the lives of countless homeless, disadvantaged, and at risk First Nation Australians; and raised awareness for the land rights struggle. Mum Shirl was an integral and committed part of the Catholic Church of St Vincent's, Redfern with the renowned Fr Ted Kennedy. She was a devout Catholic and gave regularly of her time to visit schools and communities as part of educating the broader Australian community on First Nations matters and culture.

Southwell House is named after Saint Robert Southwell (1560-1595), martyred at Tyburn, a gentleman and a poet, alive to the beauty around him in God's world. He was chosen as a House Patron because of his sensitivity to others, his love of Christ and his skill in writing for the sake of God's greater glory.

St Teresa of Calcutta (1910–1997), born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in Skopje and widely known as Mother Teresa, was a Catholic nun celebrated worldwide for her extraordinary compassion and service to the poorest and most vulnerable. After joining the Sisters of Loreto and moving to India, she felt a “call within a call” to serve those living in the slums of Calcutta. In 1950, she founded the Missionaries of Charity, a congregation devoted to caring for the sick, abandoned, and dying. Her work expanded globally, offering homes for the destitute, orphanages, and compassionate care centres in some of the world’s most impoverished communities. In recognition of her humanitarian efforts, Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, an honour she accepted on behalf of “the poorest of the poor.” She was later beatified on 19 October 2003 and canonised on 4 September 2016, affirming her life of radical charity and mercy. Her legacy endures through thousands of Missionaries of Charity sisters serving in more than 130 countries, and through the countless individuals inspired by her selfless love and unshakable faith.

Xavier House is named after Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552), one of Ignatius' first companions in founding the Jesuits, and sent by him as a missionary to India, Japan and China. He is the Patron Saint of Australia. He was chosen as a House Patron because of his great generosity of soul as a young man and his tireless dedication in spreading the love of Jesus Christ in our part of the world.