8 | gleeson.sa.edu.au Family Handbook Damiani House is named after Mrs Jenny Damiani, who was the first chairperson of the Gleeson College Board and of the interim Board that established Gleeson College. The Damiani House Crest incorporates symbols which identify the rich heritage not only of the House, but also the Gleeson College Community. As a House we desired to capture the unique history of the College in that it was created as a result of expressed need by the local Catholic Community. The need for a secondary Catholic education pathway to serve the young people of the North East area is represented by the Cross, central to the Crest. The people surrounding the Cross represent Gleeson College as well as each of the Catholic feeder Primary Schools. The four figures also represent our four College House patrons. The beams emitted from the cross represent the Light of Christ. The beams also symbolise the wings of a dragon. Damiani adopted the dragon as it’s team mascot in College sporting carnivals over 10 years ago. Dragons are a symbol of wisdom, protection, valour, generosity, forgiveness and compassion. Our motto suggests that we all belong not only to the College community, but also to the Damiani House Community. ‘Belong’ was our House theme in 2010, the first year of the Vertical House system. As a community we worked to ensure our interactions with each other were ones that fostered positive relationships, a sense of safety and unity. ‘Inspire’ recognises that all we do is inspired by Jesus Christ and that our learning should be reflective always to our best efforts. Our College song tells, ‘... to be a leader you must be a servant to the rest.’ Jenny Damiani was and is heavily involved in a range of community and charity organisations. She made clear in our meetings with her that the College ‘came from the community’, guided by those willing to work towards a common goal, to serve others and to represent and lead a community. This also of course reflects Jesus’ commitment to place others needs above his own. Fyfe House is named after Sr. Margaret Fyfe, a Brigidine nun, who worked with Catholic families in the area when it was still rural. The Fyfe House Crest was fundamentality inspired by the charism of our patron Sr Margaret Fyfe CSB, a member of the Brigidine Sisters. At the heart of the crest is the Cross of Diamonds. This cross is based on the same one which appears on the family crest of Bishop Daniel Delany, the founder of the Congregation of St Brigid. The rays of light emanating from the cross represent the light of Christ and serve to emphasise our role as builders of God’s kingdom on earth. The pair of lamps, which usually appear alone, at the centre of the Cross of Diamonds, are symbolically of learning. They flank a tongue of fire, representative of the Holy Spirit, who moves within us as the passion and determination that inspires us in our work and learning. Our motto ‘Fearless in Faith’, evolved from an understanding that Christ is at the heart of our lives. In an increasingly secular world we are reminded to be strong, courageous and fearless as we spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in the world we live. House