Bunuru House

Bunuru House has strong connections to the Whadjuk Noongar country of the original inhabitants in Sorrento. The Noongar Season of Bunuru reflects the ongoing growth and development of our vibrant coastal College community. Bunuru House also illustrates the very beginnings of our College, over 60 years ago, when Mr Noonan found this land for the Sisters to build the school on. Two of his daughters later became RNDM Sisters, dedicating their lives to the service of those living on the margins.

Bunuru, the Noongar season of heat and second summer, is also known as the season of adolescence. Both remind us of the resilience and adaptation needed as we face new challenges.

Bunuru House's values and characteristics are:

• Resilience and strength: surviving and thriving during the hottest, driest time of year shows endurance and perseverance.
• Adaptability: Bunuru people and Country adapt to the intense heat, using wisdom to live in balance.
• Abundance and generosity: Bunuru is a time of plenty - a reminder to share what we have.
• Connection to coast and water: A season of living by the coast, fishing, swimming and caring for waterways.

The crest reflects a combination of our Catholic identity and the Bunuru values of resilience and strength, adaptability, abundance and generosity and connection to coast and water. The elements surrounding the RNDM cross include:

• Laurel leaves - taken from the SHC crest to form a connection between the two and in representation of victory over death, Christian struggle through faith and eternal life as the prize of this.
• Yarning Circle with footprints - drawn by student Ruby-Anne in representation of our deep connection to country and First Nations people, walking alongside and sharing story through the generations.
• Wave - showing deep connection to the water, both geographically and through our House Totems of the snapper and seagrass.
• Seagrass - this naturally occurring and abundant plant sustains marine life as a source of food, as well as protecting our coast from erosion.
• Fish - this is both an internationally recognised Christian symbol and a connection to our House Totem, the snapper, which is abundant in these waters and sustains life as a key food source. The pink colour of the fish also closely matches the Bunuru House colour: coral.
• RNDM Cross – a reminder of our call to be partners and our link to the RNDM Sisters.

Bunuru House's Totems are Snapper and Seagrass. Both totems are sustaining to the area - the land, the people and the animals. They also both reflect the House values of abundance, strength and resilience.