Undergraduates

Sancta Sophia College has a harmonious blend of students from diverse backgrounds. Students come from all corners of the state, country and world. Roughly seventy percent of students are from regional and country NSW, with ten percent from other Australian states, another ten percent are international students and local Sydney-siders comprise the rest.

Life at Sancta offers many benefits to its students. Our convenient location places students minutes from three different universities, close to many shops, medical services and frequent public transport. 

Our proximity to shopping centres, the city, and King Street, Newtown, provides students with employment opportunities within walking distance, or for those who prefer, it is possible to be employed in the Sancta kitchen.

As a Sancta student, you may have access to job opportunities in your chosen area of study through the College alumnae.

Sancta Sophia College provides you with endless opportunities to become involved in any of the social, cultural and sporting events that are run by the student house committee. This is especially true as we are a small college and participate in all the inter-college activities. Our small size creates greater opportunity for you to become involved in sporting teams and student committees.

What is the Sancta House Committee?

The Sancta Sophia College House Committee is responsible for planning all the above mentioned activities on behalf of the students. The house committee is also responsible for liaising with the other colleges and carrying out general activities and business of the student club. The students on the committee are elected each year by all Sancta students to fulfil specific roles.

Meet the 2008 House Committee

Senior Student
Sally Richards

Honorary Secretary
Emma Crawshaw

Honorary Treasurer
Kate Jones

Social Secretaries
Mary Kate Nuthall

Frances Rickard Bell

Cultural Secretary
Tamryn Lidell

Sports Secretary
Andrea McFadzean

Liturgical Secretary
Katy Boustead

Senior Intercollegiate Representative
Rachel Beck

Sophomore Intercollegiate Representative
Sally Townsend

Are you an International student?

Read an article from one of our international students.

Ever wanted to study overseas?

Read about a Sancta sudent’s experience at the Pompeii Archaeological Research Project in Italy.

Student comments

“What is it that I like about Sancta? One word, everything! I LOVE Sancta! In College there are always people around to chat with, have a cup of tea with, or Tim tams (YUM!), and also many study partners!”

“My conclusion on three years at Sancta is that they were the best of my life. I admit that I was quite teary when I left, for at least one half of the six hour trip home.”

”The one thing that stands out in Sancta is the chance to be who you are as well as being part of a caring community.”

“In preparation for leaving my country home and family to move to the big smoke I knew I wanted to try the college experience. I had no idea which one. I even applied to Wesley College as my first preference (wouldn’t any seventeen year old girl see some appeal in living with boys?). Sancta was my second preference and my initial contact with the receptionist was warm and friendly. As fate would have it, Wesley had no place but Sancta welcomed me with open arms. From the first day of O-week I was so glad that things turned out the way they did.”

“I recommend Sancta to everybody! It will be the best experience of your life, one that I can already see being a common subject at many dinner parties when I'm 50...”

“I began to count the sleeps at the end of holidays until my return to Sancta.”

“I took a Gap year after school and was concerned that I might be too old for college. Luckily I came to Sancta and am in my third happy year here.”

“Sancta was a sanctuary, where you had the freedom to begin to explore who you were, while enjoying the security of a home like environment. It was a staging post in the leaving home process, away from Mum and Dad but not totally on your own without support.”

“When I walked down the sandstone steps for the last time and looked at the panoramic view of the city, I thought I would make any sacrifice to send my daughters to Sancta.”

“My favourite thing about College is the fact that we have the opportunity to meet so many different people. During O-week the Seniors and Sophs on the Committee were extremely welcoming and made me feel right at home as soon as I moved into College.”

“Before I came to Sydney I asked a friend about the Colleges. She said, 'Go to Sancta, they have the best food'."

“I've been living in Sydney for the past eight years and I grew up between the United States and London. I decided to make the move into College because I wanted a new experience and it's been wonderful so far!”

“At first, I thought life at Sancta was a bit daunting, seeing as I had come all the way down from Cairns knowing near to nobody, but it was comforting to see that the girls were all really nice and I found myself making top friends in no time.”

“It's great living in such a close community environment because you find a lot of the time that your friends can help you out with any work or that there are tutorials available which are provided by the College for extra help and are always great come exam time.”

“There’s much, much more to Sancta life than just great help with academics. There’s the fun side too! This includes a wide range of social, cultural and sporting events that are sure to please whatever it is that tickles your fancy.”

“I had such a wonderful time at Sancta and enjoyed most the sincere community among the students. And when revisiting Australia recently I was surprised and deeply impressed to find many of them still in contact with each other after 30 years. What a spirit!”

“It's allowed me to star in and direct a play, sing in choir, form close friendships with a group of fabulous women and take on leadership roles (as Cultural Secretary). These are the extras that make College life so much more valuable than a share house (plus we don't have to cook!).”

“I've returned to college, having graduated from Science, to begin a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery. It's a busy course, so I'm glad to live nearby with the support of some wonderful staff and students.”

I've been living in Sydney for the past eight years and I grew up between the United States and London. I decided to make the move into College because I wanted a new experience and it's been wonderful so far! I'm studying a Bachelor of Arts at USYD and I plan to major in Film Studies.

What is it that I like about Sancta? One word, everything! I LOVE Sancta! In College there are always people around to chat with, have a cup of tea with, or tim tams (YUM!), and also many study partners!

Sancta is located next to the quirky and vibrant suburb of Newtown, in the calm surroundings of Camperdown. We have a beautiful quad where many social events are held during the year. There's a very caring atmosphere, people always around to help and offer support.

My favourite thing about College is the fact that we have the opportunity to meet so many different people. During O-week the Seniors and Sophs on the Committee were extremely welcoming and made me feel right at home as soon as I moved into College.

On my first day of Uni, I knew people from College, so there were already familiar faces around campus - for non-college students, I think that transition from high school to Uni can be quite daunting and scary.

I recommend Sancta to everybody! It will be the best experience of your life, one that I can already see being a common subject at many dinner parties when I'm 50!
Trilby Beresford

At first, I thought life at Sancta was a bit daunting, seeing as I had come all the way down from Cairns knowing near to nobody, but it was comforting to see that the girls were all really nice and I found myself making top friends in no time.

As this is my second year of being a Sancta resident, I have the wonderful privilege of being a chirpy sophomore, surrounded by a great bunch of people that make life at Sydney University just that little bit more enjoyable.

I am currently studying a bachelor of Pharmacy at the Camperdown campus, which suits me quite well because uni is just across the back oval hence every morning becomes a much welcomed sleep-in. It’s great living in such a close community environment because you find a lot of the time that your friends can help you out with any work or that there are tutorials available which are provided by the College for extra help and are always great come exam time. That’s what I appreciate most about Sancta life, there is always somebody around that is willing to help.

There’s much, much more to Sancta life than just great help with academics. There’s the fun side too! This includes a wide range of social, cultural and sporting events that are sure to please whatever it is that tickles your fancy.

A personal favourite of mine is Sancta basketball, a sure crowd pleaser with a great atmosphere for the players. I know that by incorporating Sancta life into my very busy schedule, I am that much closer to my goal of becoming a pharmacist and owning my own pharmacy and I’ve had the most amazing time doing it. With the parties, dinners and plain old fun, I’ve made friends at Sancta that I’m sure will be there life-long.

If you think Sancta sounds like the place to be and are considering it as a possible place of residency then you are definitely on the right track and we look forward to meeting you in the near future!
Tanya Goodwin

Sancta was a sanctuary, where you had the freedom to begin to explore who you were, while enjoying the security of a home like environment. It was a staging post in the leaving home process, away from Mum and Dad but not totally on your own without support. The friendships that I made at Sancta were binding and uncomplicated by gender issues. It was a time I remember very fondly.
Moya Gibb Smith

In preparation for leaving my country home and family to move to the ‘Big Smoke’ I knew I wanted to try the college experience. I had no idea which one ...but Sancta welcomed me with open arms.

Sancta is my only experience of a sense of complete belonging, outside a family. I was homesick at first. It is difficult to explain the whole package that makes Sancta the wonderful place it is – the beautiful quad (which has always made me feel like I was living in a fairy tale), the gorgeous old sandstone building and, most importantly, the people. I wish Sancta could be an experience for every woman at the University of Sydney. We were surrounded by so many people with common interests; we were admired and honoured for our academic achievements as well as for sporting and social abilities. Above all, we shared an overwhelming passion for the Sancta Spirit.

I was always proud to be a Sancta girl at sport matches, not because we won but because there was such passion and unity in the Sancta girls; no other college exhibits this to the same extent. We always had the most fun, win or lose, during the game and celebrating with the team afterwards.

My conclusion on 3 years at Sancta is that they were the best of my life. I admit I was quite teary when I left - for at least half of the six hour trip home. The general consensus of our Sydney years was that we would miss mealtimes the most. Not so much the food, which was great, but for the company and conversation. When else in our lives will we share dinner every night with 6 or more best friends?

Residence at Sancta has given me lifelong friends and many wonderful memories. My hope is that Sancta will be there for my daughters – and that it remains a college for women!”
Sarah Simon

I arrived for O-Week Mass with seven school friends and was completely confident that I had made the right choice – my College preferences had been Sancta or nothing! What I did not know was the impact that Sancta would have on my life.

For the last 6 months of the year I formed friendships and bonds with my fellow Seniors that I never knew existed. We bonded over memories and sharing some of the greatest moments and events in our lives. Students whom I hardly knew for two and a half years were now firmly embedded as friends.

When I walked down the sandstone steps for the last time and looked t the panoramic view of the city, I thought I would make any sacrifice to send my daughters to Sancta; I can only hope that it will show them the ways of the world and the friendships that I gained.

I am confident that the Sancta spirit will live on; if each Sancta girl makes the effort for her sisters and daughters to attend Sancta then that great Sancta spirit will go on forever.
Alexandra Eather (Jane)

My decision to come to Sancta when I first came to the University of Sydney in 1998 was one of the easiest decisions I ever made... In Year 11 I went on my first tour of Sancta. I still remember the anticipation and excitement of that day. One of the highlights was Ellen Downes, the delightful resident who showed me around. Her warmth and welcoming nature, and the fact that she remembered me when I moved into College a year and a half later, reflected the whole nature of Sancta as a whole.

I was honoured and very grateful when the Sancta Foundation awarded me the Foundation Scholarship, at that time the only available scholarship.

The Foundation Scholarship opened doors that I only dreamed about. I was able to concentrate on my chosen degree of Economics/Law without the added pressure of 20-30 hours employment a week to support myself... I was also able to immerse myself in College life and the opportunities provided for personal and spiritual growth. I was involved in the swimming and athletics teams. My involvement in the St Vincent de Paul Committee was a rewarding and worthwhile experience. One memorable aspect of my Sancta years is the amazing opportunities there are to make life-long friends. My friendships with Sancta girls and students from other colleges will remain with me forever.

The Foundation Scholarship gave me one of the best opportunities of my life and allowed me to pursue my dreams. My four years at Sancta will remain some of the most memorable and expansive years of my life.
Isabelle Riddell

Before I arrived at Sancta I had stayed in the Falkland Islands for four and a half months... When I first entered Sancta I had never been more nervous in my whole life. I had never been away from home ‘long-term’ and now I was a million miles away from my home in Scotland. I wondered suddenly whether I was making a huge mistake!

I was very nervous about not knowing anyone and I was planning to stay for years. Compounding the problem of distance was the fact that I am partially deaf – another worry on my mind. However all these fears were put to rest when I arrived. Everybody was friendly and more than willing to alleviate my problems.

Over the months the benefits of residence at Sancta became apparent. Not only was everyone kind and helpful, there were lots of events in the College, social evenings, sport competitions (even cheering for Sancta from the stands), a constant diary of action.

The proximity of the College to all the university facilities, the main campus facilities (mine is Veterinary Science), the library and the shops are all added benefits for residence.

And, a postscript: the one thing that stands out in Sancta is the chance to be who you are as well as being part of a caring community.
Livia Henderson

Sport at Sancta has always been an important part of College life. Whether it is playing sport, or supporting those who do, Sancta girls can always be seen in their red and white displaying the infamous Sancta spirit. Sancta again competed in the Rosebowl, in Hockey, Swimming, Netball, Athletics, Tennis, Softball, Rowing and Basketball. With two extra female Colleges now competing, the Rosebowl is becoming increasingly competitive, and Sancta’s sportswomen continue to make the College proud, with their dedication to their sport and the College.

I’ve enjoyed my three years of College, and like so many other ex-students, many of my fondest memories have involved College sporting events. One of the most unforgettable nights of my time at Sancta was experiencing my first Victory Dinner for Rowing in 2001. This was a fun night to celebrate the win for the Rowing girls, but was also a key event for the Sancta community.
Nicole Greene

I moved to Sancta when I enrolled in a Bachelor of Science (Adv) at the University of Sydney.

Being only 17 at the time and from Brisbane (Qld), it was a big move. In all honesty, I haven't really had time to look back! Sancta has allowed me to experience University life in all its diversity - the socialising, the drama, the spirit and (sometimes) the study!

It's allowed me to star in and direct a play, sing in choir, form close friendships with a group of fabulous women and take on leadership roles (as Cultural Secretary). These are the extras that make College life so much more valuable than a share house (plus we don't have to cook!).

I've returned, having graduated from Science, to begin a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery. It's a busy course, so I'm glad to live nearby with the support of some wonderful staff and students.
One day, I hope to return to the Alumnae dinner as a successful psychiatrist. In the meantime, I am thrilled to be a member of the wonderful Sancta Sophia community.
Claire Stewart