Iona Presentation College, Perth


Iona Presentation College is an independent Roman Catholic early learning, primary and secondary day and boarding school, located in Mosman Park, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, located between the Indian Ocean and the Swan River.
Founded in 1907 by the Presentation Sisters, Iona enrolled 1,089 students in 2018, from early learning to Year 12, of whom one percent identified as Indigenous Australians and twelve percent were from a language background other than English. Iona is co-educational in the early learning and primary school years, and all-girls' only school from Year 7- through to Year 12.
The College is a member of Catholic Education Western Australia, the Independent Girls' Schools Sports Association, the Alliance of Girls' Schools Australia, and the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia. The principal is Anne Pitos.

History

Iona Presentation College was founded on 11 September 1907, by the Presentation Sisters who came to Australia from Kildare in Ireland.
The College is named after the Scottish island of Iona, on which the Irish Saint Columba founded a community in 563 AD. Iona became a centre of learning from which Saint Columba and his monks spread the Gospel into Scotland and the north of England. Bishop Gibney remarked that the school's location in Mosman Park, situated on a rise, with the Swan River on one side and the ocean on the other, reminded him of the island of Iona. Furthermore, one of the four founding sisters was Sister Columba and so it was decided that an appropriate name for the college would be Iona. Iona recently celebrated its centenary in 2007, marking 100 years since the foundation of the College.

Co-curricular activities

Students may join in any of the many cultural and music groups listed below. In music, private lessons are available in a wide range of instruments and voice training.
Performing arts
College Production, IGSSA Dance, Interhouse Dance, Interhouse Drama, Junior Production, Performing Arts Festival and Youth on Health Festival
Music
Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, Flute Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Swing Out Sisters, Junior Choir, Senior Choir, Chorale, String Quartet, Rock Band, String Ensemble, Rock Band and Blues Band
Other
Apex Fashion Awards, Debating - Iona Presentation College and St Hilda's annual debating, Da Vinci Decathlon, Duke of Edinburgh, Mathematics Challenge, Media Club, Mock Law Trials, Public Speaking, Community Cook Up and Philosophon Etiquette presentation
International opportunities
Opportunities are available for students to immerse themselves in different cultures through a range of exchange programs, including to Japan, France and Italy.
Presentation annual event
Every year students are expected to attend "Presentation Night", which is held at the Perth Concert Hall. The event celebrates student achievement as well as music presentations from all year groups.

Sports

The College is a member of the Independent Girls' Schools Sports Association which gives girls the opportunity for competitive sport at the highest level. Iona has a solid sporting reputation and excellent programs, where students can be involved in a range of sports. The cCollege has won the IGrs and is competitive in Athletics, Cross Country and Swimming in the IGSSA competition. Iona won the IGSSA Swimming Carnival in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
;Other
The college also competes in the IGSSA Swimming, Athletics and Cross Country competitions and is always competitive at every level. In Years 9 and 10 students may select a course in Outdoor Education, as part of their elective subjects. Both programs cover a variety of outdoor pursuits and include practical and theory lessons. To meet the course requirements, students must be proficient swimmers and be able to complete a 200m survival swim. Students are assessed in the following outcomes:
Activities and topics covered include the following:
Students have the opportunity to go to the Swiss Alps as part of a sport program during the winter break.

House system

The College house system plays a significant role in the pastoral care of students. There are currently six houses: Moynihan, O'Dowling, O'Halloran, Treacey, Columba and Kildare. The house system consists of a house coordinator who works with staff house leaders and student captains to ensure that all students participate in the many varied house activities. Students are provided with opportunities in the performing arts, dance, sport, music, choral work and the creative arts.
There are six houses in the College: