Sancta Sophia College (colloquially as Sancta) is a residential college for undergraduate women and postgraduate men and women at the University of Sydney. The college has a Catholic foundation but admits students of all religions. Fiona Hastings has been the Principal of the College since 2018.
History
Foundation
In 1923, the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Michael Kelly, and the Bishops of New South Wales issued a letter in support of university education for the Catholic community and announced the construction of a Catholic hall of residence for women. This was a result of social and educational changes which facilitated higher education for women. Sancta Sophia College was founded in 1925 as a hall of residence for Catholic women, and on 16 August 1926, Sancta Sophia Hall was officially blessed and opened by Archbishop Kelly. The first cohort of 23 women moved into the college on 15 March 1926. The 1926 building was designed by the Sydney architectural firm of Wardell and Dennis. Herbert Wardell was the son of William Wardell the architect of St John’s College and St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney. Dennis was a Wesleyan architect who had trained in Melbourne before establishing himself in Sydney.
In 1929, an Act of Parliament raised the hall to the status of a College within the University of Sydney.
Expansion
The college expanded over time including the East Wing and kitchen in 1961, the Octagon building in 1963, the McDonald Wing in 1970, the Vice Principal's flat in 1990, and the Principal's flat in 1993.
The College officially opened the Sancta Sophia Graduate House (often referred to as Grad House) in March 2014 by Governor, Her Excellency Marie Bashir and blessed by Cardinal George Pell. This was the largest single expansion in the College's history. The Graduate House consists of 128 ensuite rooms equipped with a microwave oven and mini fridge, whilst the common areas have full kitchens. The rooftop terrace is equipped with a BBQ lounge area. Every resident has meals fully catered for and served in a common dining hall with undergraduates.
Student life
Academic
As a university college, academia is the main focus of Sancta Sophia College. A program of supplementary tutorials exists for undergraduate students and some postgraduate students. These are organised within the College and undergraduate students may attend tutorials at the other colleges. In recent years, the tutorial program has extended to support postgraduate students, particularly in medicine.
Cultural
Sancta competes against other University of Sydney residential colleges in the InterCol Performing Arts Challenge (also known as the Palladian Cup). The Palladian Cup runs year-round and features solo vocal, ensemble vocal, solo instrumental, ensemble instrumental, oration, debating, solo drama, ensemble drama, dance, and art. Since 2017, Sancta has competed in Intramural Arts at the University of Sydney and provides opportunities in dance, improv, debating, and others.
Sporting
Sancta competes in the Sydney University Intercollegiate sporting events, which is the Rosebowl Cup for women and Rawson Cup for men. The Rosebowl Cup events take place throughout the year and include netball, swimming, rowing, hockey, soccer, basketball, tennis, and athletics. Due to the relatively small cohort of men, Sancta only competes in three Rawson Cup events: swimming, rowing, and athletics.
College governance
Council and principal
The Council of the College consists of the chairman, the Principal and 14 other Councillors, of whom 3 must be priests. The Council is responsible for governance of the College.
The Principal is responsible for the management of the College.
Past principals
(1930-1931) Mother Margaret MacRory
(1931-1943) Mother Helen Boydell
(1943-1957) Mother Juanita Macrae
(1952) Mother Hoare (Acting Principal) (1958-1972) Mother Yvonne Swift (1972-1975) Sr Mary Brennan (1975-1978) Sr Mary d'Apice (1979-1983) Sr Patricia Toohey (1983-1992) Sr Mary Shanahan (1992-2000) Janice Raggio (2000-2005) Barbara Walsh (2005-2007) Dr Elizabeth Hepburn (2008-2017) Dr Marie Leech (2018-present) Fiona Hastings
