Luther College (Victoria)

Luther College is a co-educational independent secondary school of the Lutheran Church of Australia located in the outer-eastern suburb of Croydon Hills in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It maintains a close relationship with the Outer Eastern Lutheran Church parish of the Lutheran Church of Australia, which congregates in the school's chapel facilities. It provides education for years 7–12. History Opened in 1964, Luther College is a school of the Lutheran Church of Australia, named for the father of the Lutheran Church, Dr. Martin Luther, a 16th-century German theologian. Formerly a boarding school, Luther College accepted international and regional boarders in addition to local day students. However, after a decline in international enrolment and worries about the growth of the student body in relation to the school's facilities, the boarding program ended at the end of 2002, with the associated facilities subsequently adapted into classrooms or demolished. Religious education As a school of the Lutheran Church of Australia, Luther College students participate in mandatory religious education classes (called Christian Studies) in years 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12. In Year 9 they complete a separate program called RITE Journey, which has religious aspects to it. All students from all year levels attend a chapel service in the school's chapel three days out of the week, with one year level assembly and one day being an extended homegroup. The school's campus contains a special Ministry Centre which contains the offices of the school's two chaplains as well as the school counsellor. Involvement with Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School Both Luther College and The Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School are private schools, as well as schools of the Lutheran Church of Australia. Both their campuses are located in Croydon Hills, separated by two sporting ovals. The schools share many of their facilities, including the sporting ovals, as well as the Luther College chapel which is used by the primary school for special occasions. The schools have very similar uniforms, and until 2004 their physical education uniforms were almost identical. As many as 80% of Good Shepherd students attend Luther College after the completion of year 6, due to the school's close proximity and affordable fees. Due to this, students of the schools share a close relationship. Many collegiates undertake work experience or voluntary service placements at Good Shepherd, and both schools often present chapel services for each other. Sport Luther is a member of the Eastern Independent Schools of Melbourne. Houses Luther College has six houses allocated by the school to each student upon entry. Each house is allocated into multiple homegroups, in which students are to attend every morning. These houses participate in sporting events such as cross country and athletics day and other social events such as public speaking. EISM premierships Luther has won the following EISM senior premierships. Combined: Athletics (16) – 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 Cross Country (16) – 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 Boys: Athletics (9) – 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2019, 2021 Basketball (7) – 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 2004 Cricket (7) – 1971, 1988, 1990, 1996, 2013, 2014, 2018 Cross Country (16) – 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 Football – 1976 Handball – 2002 Hockey (6) – 1992, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2004, 2006 Indoor Soccer – 2008 Soccer (3) – 1987, 1995, 2002 Table Tennis (4) – 1978, 1982, 1984, 2015 Tennis (5) – 1972, 1974, 1994, 1999, 2001 Touch Rugby (4) – 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 Volleyball (7) – 1977, 1979, 1980, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2016 Girls: Athletics (15) – 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024 Basketball (3) – 1977, 1978, 1986 Bowling (2) – 2005, 2006 Cricket – 2009 Cross Country (17) – 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 Indoor Cricket – 2014 Softball (2) – 1971, 1977 Swimming (7) – 2000, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021 Tennis (9) – 1971, 1972, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1996, 2002, 2007, 2012 Touch Rugby - 2022 Volleyball (11) – 1977, 1989, 1992, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2016, 2017 Luther Year 9 EISM Premierships Year 9 Boys: Badminton (3) - 2014, 2016, 2017 Basketball (2) - 2014, 2019 Football (2) - 2010, 2011 Hockey (3) - 2013, 2014, 2017 Indoor Cricket - 2017 Lawn Bowls (4) - 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018 Netball (4) - 2010, 2011, 2013, 2022 Table Tennis (4) - 2011, 2013, 2017, 2019 Touch Rugby (3) - 2011, 2014, 2016 Soccer (3) - 2016, 2019, 2022 Softball (3) - 2016, 2017, 2019 Volleyball (6) - 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 Year 9 Girls: Badminton - 2015 Basketball (2) - 2013, 2016 Football (2) - 2012, 2018 Hockey (4) - 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Indoor Cricket (5) - 2010, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 Indoor Soccer - 2021 Lawn Bowls (3) - 2016, 2017, 2018 Netball - 2014 Table Tennis (2) - 2016, 2017 Tennis (6) - 2010, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2020 Touch Rugby (5) - 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 Soccer - 2015 Softball - 2013 Ultimate Frisbee (2) - 2015, 2017 Volleyball (6) - 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 Notable alumni 360 (Matthew Colwell) – hip hop artist Sarah Blanck – sailor Tom Boyd – former AFL player for the Western Bulldogs and the GWS Giants Greig Fraser – Oscar winning, Emmy Award–winning cinematographer Ash Grunwald – blues and roots artist Dan McStay, AFL footballer Kathleen O'Kelly-Kennedy – Paralympian (bronze medal, basketball, Beijing 2008) References