St Ursula's Day/Week


St Ursula’s Feast Day is on 21 October. 

Very little is known about the history of St Ursula and her 11,000 virgins, except for what was told by Helentrude, a German nun of her time. According to legend, Ursula was a beautiful British princess, daughter of a Christian king. Ursula had taken a vow of chastity, but against her will she was promised in marriage to a pagan prince. 

Ursula was warned in a dream by an angel to demand the conversion of the prince to Christianity and to gather 11,000 virgins for her future kingdom. When she was sent to her husband to be, Ursula was accompanied by 11,000 virginal handmaidens. However, a miraculous storm brought them over the sea in a single day to a French port, where Ursula declared that before her marriage she would undertake a European pilgrimage. 

Ursula headed for Rome, with her followers, and persuaded the Pope, Cyriacus, and the Bishop of Ravenna, to join them. On their return in 383, Cologne, in Germany, was being ransacked by the Huns. After Ursula refused the advances of their prince, the Huns beheaded her and all of the handmaidens. One of the 11,000, St Cordula, escaped death on the first day by hiding. She wrote down the tale for posterity and then gave herself up to join her sisters in martyrdom.

This legend of a strong woman inspired later generations, including Angela Merici. On 25 November 1535, on the Feast Day of St Catherine, Angela Merici and a group of 28 companions signed their names and committed their lives to the "Company of St Ursula", inspired by this legend. Angela admired St Ursula's values of determination, independence and commitment to God; she truly was a woman before her times.

Each year, in the third week of October, St Ursula's College celebrates the patroness of the College. Over time there has been a tradition of activities.

1982

  • St Ursula's Day - one day celebration.
  • Centenary Mass which included an adapted version of "Singing Sales and Clattering Coachwheels" by Sr Dorothea Gooud osu - a premier performance by Year 9 students.
  • School picnic to Spring Bluff.

1983

  • Day celebrated on 21 October.
  • Mass in the Chapel which included a composition written by Year 9A "St Ursula's Day Song" (to the tune of "Scarborough Fair").
  • Serviam quiz, swimming, tennis, bar-be-ques at Willow Springs.

1984

  • Day celebrated on 19 October.
  • Mass, presentation of annual Serviam Award and concert in the Chapel.
  • Quiz on the history of the College.
  • Bar-be-que lunch.

1987

  • St Ursula's Day - one day celebration.
  • Bar-be-que and concert in school grounds.

1992

  • St Ursula's Day - a one day celebration.
  • Liturgy and Princess Ursula play in the Chapel.
  • Open air concert.

1993

  • St Ursula's Day - a one day celebration.
  • Liturgy in the Chapel.
  • BBQ for entire school at lunchtime.

1994

  • St Ursula's Day - a one day celebration.
  • Princess Ursula play, theatre sports and concert in the Chapel.
  • Candle making and mystery lunch (pies, burgers, rice, pizza).

1995

  • St Ursula’s Cultural Week was an initiative of the Student Representative Council to celebrate everything cultural.
  • Cultural Week began with the whole school meeting for prayer.
  • The InterHouse Ballgames Carnival was reintroduced during this week.

1996

  • The Legend of Princess Ursula play.
  • Italian feast at lunchtime.
  • Inaugural Lottie Lyell Film Night.
  • Concert on front lawn.

1997

  • The Week began with prayer and lunch time activities on the Monday.
  • Tuesday was the inaugural Boat Race which consisted of a teacher as Princess Ursula with four companions in a cardboard boat in a mad dash around Taylor, Warra and Rome Streets.
  • Tuesday also saw a pizza lunch for the whole school and Amnesty International celebrating Candle Day with students making candles at lunchtime.
  • Wednesday was a lunch time drama presentation and then Lottie Lyell film night and Art Exhibition in the evening.
  • Thursday was the Teacher-Student Debate with Mr John Pyke – he was involved in most debates. The topic was That Teachers work harder that Students. The result was a draw.
  • Friday was a whole day of activities including St Ursula Day Quiz, Legend of Princess Ursula, outdoor concert, Teachers Fashion Parade of 60’s and 70’s fashion and Ballgames Carnival.
  • The inclusion of the Ballgames Carnival was controversial as the week was a cultural week.

1998

  • The Week began with prayer and pizza lunch.
  • The Boat Race on the Wednesday was shortened to an obstacle course on the bottom field.
  • Amnesty International celebrated Candle Day with students making candles at lunchtime.
  • The Teacher-Student Debate resulted in a draw. The topic was That life was better in the 60s than the 90s. The result was a draw.
  • Friday included a quiz on St Ursula's trivia, Assembly and concert.

1999

  • The Week commenced with prayer and novelty races on the Monday.
  • The Boat Race was held on the Tuesday.
  • Other activities was also introduced, including Face Painting for World Vision and Candle Day for Amnesty International.
  • The teachers won the Teacher-Student Debate. The topic was That teachers are a dying race.
  • A Japanese Tea Ceremony was held on the Thursday.

2000

  • Activities continued as in previous years.
  • St Ursula's Presents production with the theme, Stars, was staged in the Toowoomba City Hall.
  • The topic of the Teacher-Student Debate was Its better to be in trouble than bored.
  • Launch of St Ursula’s website – www.st-ursula.qld.edu.au .

2001

  • Activities continued as in previous years.
  • The students won the Teacher-Student Debate. The topic was That teachers should wear uniforms.
  • The day of fun activities on the Friday, including the Boat Race, was postponed due to rain. Friday's activities occurred on the following Monday.

2002

  • The Week's theme was Old is Best.
  • Old school games - elastics, hopscotch, skipping and stuck in the mud - were played on the front lawn on the Monday.
  • Ballgames demonstration on the front lawn on Tuesday.
  • The students won the Teacher-Student Debate. The topic was That students today have a harder life than their teachers did.
  • The Boat Race and Concert were held on the Friday.

2003

  • The students won the Teacher-Student Debate. The topic was That old music is better than new music.
  • The week culminated with the Boat Race, Princess Ursula play, concert and ballgames afternoon.

2004

  • Mr Pyke's bush band Band-o-Coots entertained in the Salo Centre at lunchtime on Monday.
  • Entertainment, games, dancing and skipping were organized by the SRC on the Tuesday.
  • Staff sang karaoke for our bells.
  • The teachers won the Teacher-Student Debate. The topic was The clowns are scary.
  • Lottie Lyell Film Night.
  • Staff and students played dodge ball at lunchtime on the Thursday.
  • The Boat Race theme was Circus.
  • Presentations were made to long-serving staff prior to the afternoon concert.

2005

  • The Week's theme was Movies.
  • Monday began with the inaugural Ursie Woman Challenge.
  • The Band-o-Coots entertained students and staff on the Tuesday to a bush dance.
  • The students won the Teacher-Student Debate. The topic was Chick flicks are detrimental to our intellectual development.
  • Due to extremely wet weather the Boat Race became a Boat Parade.

2006

  • Free Dress Day and inaugural College Dash on the Monday.
  • The teachers won the Teacher-Student Debate. The topic was Parties have a negative effect on students' development.
  • A mass was celebrated on the Friday morning with the walls of the Salo Centre decorated with photos of current and past staff and students.
  • The Boat Race theme was Party.

2007

  • Inaugural Staff vs Students Volleyball game.
  • The students won the Teacher-Student Debate. The topic was Fairy tales promote false hopes for children.
  • Friday consisted of the Boat Race, Liturgy and variety Concert.

2008

  • Activities continued as in previous years, with a liturgy held in each PC group.

2009

  • Visiting Ursuline nuns from India, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia who were attending the Asia-Pacific Education Conference.
  • College Dash, Boat Race and Parade, Concert and Evening in the Olive Grove.

2010

  • The students won the Teacher-Student Debate. The topic was Vampires are more dateable, physically attractive and emotionally stable than werewolves.
  • Inaugural Day of Change at lunchtime on the Wednesday on the theme Rice, and the staff vs students Volleyball game.
  • Friday began with a Liturgy, followed by the Boat Parade and Race and an afternoon Concert. The theme for the boats was Myths and Legends.

2011

  • College Dash won by Holly Anderson (Year 10).
  • The Great Debate was won by the students. The topic was That Valentines Day day should be made a public holiday.
  • Day of Change at lunchtime on Wednesday, on the theme Yellow, with all profits going to eradicate polio.
  • Liturgy looking at 80 year history of the College.
  • The theme for the Boat Parade and Race was Celebrating Festivals.
  • Concert in afternoon.

2012

  • College Dash won by Corinne Henningsen (Year 12).
  • The teachers won the Student-Teacher Debate. The topic was That political correctness has ruined children's literature.
  • Day of Change and staff vs student volleyball game.
  • Ursie Woman Challenge won by Jessica Brown.
  • Feast of St Ursula Liturgy included announcement of new House names and allocation of PC groups.
  • The theme for the Boat Parade and Race was Children's Storybooks.
  • Concert in afternoon.

2013

  • College Dash won by Holly Andersen (Year 12).
  • The students won the Student-Teacher Debate. The topic was That movies are better than musicals.
  • Day of Change and Staff vs Student volleyball game.
  • Ursie Woman Challenge won by Isabella Lloyd-Jones.
  • Feast of St Ursula Liturgy.
  • The theme for the Boat Parade and Race was Musicals.
  • Concert in afternoon.

2014

  • Grandparents' Day and College Liturgy on the Tuesday.
  • Race Around the Block.
  • The teachers won the Student-Teacher Debate. The topic was that the Kardashians are the ideal family.
  • Day of Change on the Wednesday.
  • Ursie woman Challenge on the Thursday.
  • Friday began with a Liturgy which included an enactment of the legend of St Ursula.
  • Prior to the Parade and Race the community gathered for Morning Tea.
  • The theme for the Boat Parade and Race was Famous Families.

2015

  • The week began with the College Dash and Ursie Woman Challenge.
  • The teachers won the Student-Teacher Debate. The topic was The study of literature has made a greater contribution to Western Civilisation than the study of mathematics.
  • Day of Change at lunchtime on Wednesday with all profits going to Aussie Helpers, and the Staff vs Students volleyball game.
  • Friday began with a Liturgy which included an enactment of the legend of St Ursula and presentation of awards  to long-standing staff members.
  • The theme for the boats was A Moment in Time and Support Staff entered a "boat" for the parade for the first time.
  • Boat Race, sausage sizzle and concert.

2016

  • College Student Dash on the front lawn and supporting activities such as an egg and spoon race, skipping race and sack race.
  • The students won the Student-Teacher Debate. The topic was that Life is better with social media.
  • The staff won the Staff vs Students volleyball game.
  • Ursie Woman Challenge held at lunchtime on Day 3.
  • Friday began with a Liturgy which included an enactment of the legend of St Ursula and presentation of awards to long-standing staff members.
  • The theme for the Boat Parade and Race was Hits and Misses of the 60s.
  • Sausage sizzle and concert.

2017

  • College Dash and Staff vs. Student Debate on the Tuesday. 
  • The students won the Students vs Teachers Debate. The topic was  Pineapple should be on pizza. 
  • Day of Change and Staff vs. Student Volleyball game on the Wednesday.
  • Ursie Woman Challenge held at lunchtime on Day 3.
  • Friday began with a Liturgy and presentation of awards to long-standing staff members.
  • The theme for the Boat Parade and Race was Food and Beverage.
  • Sausage sizzle and concert.

2018

  • Day of Change markets and Staff vs Students Volleyball game on Wednesday. The students were the winners of the Volleyball game.
  • Ursie Woman Challenge held at lunchtime on Thursday.
  • The theme for the Boat Parade and Race was On Television.
  • Liturgy with recognition of long-standing staff members, Boat Parade, Boat Race and Concert on Friday.

2019

  • The Staff vs Student Debate on Monday was won by the students. The topic was Opposites attract.
  • Ursie Woman Challenge, Market Day and House Kitchen Rules.
  • Liturgy with recognition of long-standing staff members, Boat Parade, Boat Race and Concert.

2020

  • The Staff vs Student Volleyball game on the Friday before St Ursula's Week.
  • Book Day scavenger hunt and Kahoot on the Monday.
  • Student vs Teacher Debate was won by the students on the Tuesday. The topic was It is time to rewrite fairytales.
  • Change for Change Carnival on the Wednesday.
  • Ursie Woman Challenge and Year 12 Pool Jump on the Thursday.
  • Liturgy with recognition of long-standing staff members, Boat Parade, Boat Race, Sausage Sizzle and Talent Show on the Friday.

2021

  • Activities as in previous years, except that the week ran from Thursday - Wednesday.
  • The students won the Students vs Teachers Debate. The topic was A plus 2 card can be placed on a plus 4 card in the game of Uno.
  • Boat theme was The Toy Room.

2022

  • The Students vs Teachers Debate on the Monday, which the teachers won. The topic was Remakes are better than classics.
  • The teachers won the Volleyball games on Tuesday, defeating three teams comprising members of the SRC, Year 12 PE class and House Leaders.
  • The Ursie Woman Challenge was held in The Salo Centre at lunchtime on Wednesday.
  • Day of Change markets and Year 12 Pool Jump on Thursday.
  • Liturgy followed by recognition of staff years of service on Friday.
  • Boat Parade, Boat Race, Sausage Sizzle and Talent Show on Friday. Theme for boats was Calling on the Classics.

2023

  • The teachers won the Students vs Teachers Debate arguing the affirmitive on the topic that Celebrities are more valuable to society than everyday heroes.
  • The staff won the Volleyball games, defeating teams of House, SRC students and the SUC Volleyball Team.
  • The Ursie Woman Challenge was held in The Salo Centre at lunchtime on Wednesday, with Annie French (Year 7) the winner.
  • Day of Change markets and Year 12 Pool Jump on Thursday.
  • Liturgy and recognition of staff years of service on Friday.
  • Boat Parade, Boat Race, farewell party and final Pastoral Care for Year 12 students and Talent Show on Friday. The theme for PC boats was "The Best of the Best".

2024

  • The students won the Students vs Teachers Debate arguing the negative on the topic that AI will Take Over Humanity.
  • The Year 11 and 12 HPE class team won the Volleyball games, defeating teams of House Captains, SRC students and staff.
  • The Ursie Woman Challenge was held in The Salo Centre at lunchtime on Wednesday, with Stella House the winner.
  • Day of Change markets and Year 12 Pool Jump on Thursday
  • Liturgy and recognition of staff years of service on Friday.
  • Boat Parade, Boat Race, farewell party, final Pastoral Care for Year 12 students, Talent Show and staff reunion on Friday. The theme for PC boats was "Mapping the Mystery".

Disclaimer - While every effort is made to ensure that information or data provided on this site is accurate and current, it is only intended as Archival reference.