Sancta Sophia College is turning 100 years old!
On this page:
Our Centenary
Sancta Story Wall
Centenary Events
Our Centenary
In March 1926, twenty-three pioneering women moved into a half-finished building on Missenden Road to form Sancta’s first student community. Lit only by candlelight and led by the fearless Reverend Mother Margaret MacRory, it is easy to imagine the excitement and nervousness they were feeling as they came together for their very first meal. They surely did not know that their courage and ambitions would illuminate Sancta for a century.
Since that first night, more than 6,000 students have called Sancta home: women and men of compassion, curiosity and conviction who have gone on to lead, serve, and create change in every corner of the world.
This is our Centenary year!
Our celebrations officially commenced on the morning of Saturday 21 March 2026, with a Mass of the Sacred Heart.
This was followed by the Once in a Century Reunion, which went from early afternoon until late at night.
Celebrations will culminate with the Centenary Gala Weekend from 21 to 23 August 2026, with the Centenary Gala Dinner to be held on Saturday 22 August 2026 at the grand Centennial Hall within Sydney Town Hall.
Other informal events will be held throughout that weekend, here at Sancta, and possibly at a certain pub close by!
These will be moments to remember our past, reconnect with one another and look ahead to Sancta’s second century, one that continues to empower generations of Sancta students to walk in wisdom.
Please save these dates and join us as we celebrate the 100 years of our College.
The story of Sancta is, and always will be, the story of its people, and we would be honoured if you could celebrate it with us.
To receive our Centenary updates and ensure you’re among the first to receive event invitations, please update your contact details.
Sancta Story Wall
Stories are the very heart of Sancta. The memories alumni and friends share with us about their time at Sancta are invariably warm or meaningful or very funny (or all three at once). In thinking about all these stories, we’ve created a dedicated space to capture and celebrate the stories that make Sancta what it is – by creating the Sancta Story Wall.
We invite you to take a look, read what others have shared, and add your story. Simply click the + button at the bottom of the Story Wall to add your post.
You can upload a photo, write a memory, or share a moment that captures what Sancta means to you. We would love to see contributions from across many decades and to watch the Story Wall grow in the months ahead.
Centenary Events
Saturday 21 March 2026
 | Mass of the Sacred Heart 11 am to 12 pm, followed by a light lunch Read Homily by Bishop Danny Meagher
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 | Once in a Century Reunion 1 pm to 11 pm |
Centenary Gala Dinner Weekend
The Centenary Gala Dinner is the centrepiece of a full weekend of celebration, with your ticket also including access to Welcome Drinks at The Grose on Friday 21 August 2026, Tours of the College on Saturday 22 August 2026, and a Long Sunday Brunch at College on Sunday 23 August 2026. These additional events are complimentary and optional for Gala Dinner ticketholders. To assist with planning and catering, RSVPs for each event are essential. Ticketholders will be contacted by email in April 2026 to confirm attendance at these additional events.
 | Welcome Drinks at The Grose From 5 pm This event is included in the Gala Dinner ticket. |
 | Tours of the College 11 am to 3 pm This event is included in the Gala Dinner ticket. |
 | Centenary Gala Dinner 6 pm to 11 pm
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 | Long Sunday Brunch at College 10 am to 3 pm This event is included in the Gala Dinner ticket. |
Centenary contact:
Hayden Edwards
Director of Community Engagement
development@sancta.edu.au / +61 2 9577 2126