Our Heritage
Santa Sabina College stands on a rich Dominican heritage that is both over 800 years old and profoundly relevant today.
St Dominic and the Dominican Tradition
In 13th-century Europe, at a time marked by fear, division and uncertainty, St Dominic de Guzmán challenged the status quo. He believed that faith should be lived with courage, intelligence and compassion. Rejecting isolation and conformity, Dominic founded the Order of Preachers, encouraging his followers to pray deeply, study rigorously and engage openly with the world.
Dominic believed that truth matters. He chose Veritas – Truth – as the motto of the Order, calling his followers to contemplate and share the fruits of their contemplation. This commitment to thoughtful inquiry, dialogue and action laid the foundations of the Dominican approach to education, one that values learning, discernment and service.
The Dominican Sisters in Australia
In 1867, inspired by the vision of St Dominic, a courageous group of Irish Dominican Sisters travelled to Australia to establish the first Dominican foundation in Maitland, NSW. Responding to the needs of a growing nation, they brought with them a belief in education as a powerful force for justice, independence and opportunity.
In 1892, answering Cardinal Moran’s call to serve families in Sydney, the Sisters established a city school in Strathfield. On 7 June 1892, land was purchased on The Boulevarde, and in January 1894 the first students began their lessons in what would become Santa Sabina College.
From the beginning, the College was shaped by vision and care. The Sisters planted trees that still define the campus today, created spaces of learning and reflection, and established a culture of academic excellence, faith and community that continues to flourish.
A Living Legacy
For more than 130 years, Santa Sabina has evolved while remaining faithful to its Dominican heritage. The pioneering spirit of the founding Sisters lives on in a community that values courage, independence, creativity and compassion.
Today, Santa Sabina educates students across expansive campuses in Strathfield and Tallong, offering a contemporary, future-focused education grounded in faith, scholarship and service. Our graduates are encouraged to think critically, act justly and lead with integrity as they carry the values they learn here far beyond the College gates.
