Our History Nano Nagle College Crest House Colours

Rationale

In 1987 Domremy Convent ceased to exist. In 1998 the college moved from Religious to Lay Leadership. The letters P C on the school crest were no longer relevant and there was a need to define the College as a Presentation School within the context of the Charism of Nano Nagle, foundress of the Presentation Sisters.

The Design Brief for a new College Crest involved research on the symbols and essential elements which had defined the identity of the College and how these may be incorporated into a new emblem which reflected the Charism of the Presentation Sisters.

The new Crest builds on the tradition of 87 years and gives new life to the spirit engendered by religious and lay staff at Domremy College.
It was felt that the Charism of Nano Nagle expressed in the living traditions of the Presentation Sisters would underpin and guide the College Mission as we move towards the third millennium.

Shield

Weapon of defence carried on the arm. In Heraldry the term implies a shield-shaped escutcheon forming the ground on which arms are displayed. The Shield symbolises preservation; the sheltering, protecting feminine power. (J.C. Cooper: Symbols P152). The shield for Domremy College thus derives its symbolism from our patron St Joan of Arc who carried a shield into battle.

The oval shape of the shield is derived from the silver ring worn by Presentation Sisters and received at the first profession of vows. The plain silver convex band is symbolised by an oval shield engraved with a cross and effulgence. The ring was approved by Pope Pius IX in 1855. (M.R. MacGinlay: Roads to Sion frontispiece 1983).
The oval shape is the female life symbol and oval shaped arms were carried by Churchmen. The Shield is the ground upon which armorial signs are traced; the colours of the shield being called tinctures and the signs recorded called charges.

Common charges are conventional representation of familiar objects that sometimes portray the history or character of the individual, family or institution. The candle, motto scroll and Presentation Insignia reflect this mode of representation to communicate identity. The design is based on open curvilinear forms to express the flow of charism from the Gospel through the base of the candle to embrace the spirit of Presentation Mission and Ministry.

Lettering

The bold font of Domremy College is closely linked to the arch of the shield. Its prime position identifies the College and forms an implied frame when the pale blue shield and gold rim is removed eg. uniform jacket. The colour navy links with traditional use of navy in the original uniform. Symbolically this links to the Presentation logo and the school motto as a foundation symbol of the College identity, Presentation logo and Gospel truth are intrinsically linked to express the founding charism of the Presentation Sisters.

Symbols Cross

Enclosed within the flame of the candle is the Insignia of the Australian Presentation Sisters designed by Sister Rose Derrick and adapted by Sr Raymond Taylor of the Victorian Congregation. The cross is a world centre and therefore a point of communication between heaven and earth.....the cross represents the tree of life and the tree of nourishment.....it is the Supreme Identity...”the cross symbolises” Salvation through Christ’s sacrifice; redemption, atonement, suffering; faith. (J.C. Cooper Symbols P95 & P46). The rays represent divine indulgence and the radiating form “Symbolises new life from the divinity”: (J.C. Cooper Symbols P.96). The effulgence also communicates glory, splendour and joy. The letters PBVM stand for Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and were designed to fit or reflect the shape of an Aboriginal Shield. The insignia carries an archaeological trace to the traditional silver ring in which the cross is centrally placed with radiating effulgence.

Light

The candle makes direct reference to Nano Nagle known as “the Lady of the Lantern”.... for, lantern in hand, she was a familiar sight in the lanes of Cork, returning through the darkness of the night, foot sore, dripping with rain after ministering to the wants of the poor whom she loved for Christ’s sake..” (Dowd and Tearle, Centenary Sisters of the PBVM Intro XXII). Candles symbolise “Light in the darkness of life...” as well as the “divine light shining in the world; spiritual joy; Christ risen from the dead in the light of transfiguration:” (J.C. Cooper, Symbols P.28).

Motto and Scroll

The Motto, originally the war cry of the bearer is traditionally placed in a scroll above the crest or below the shield. It is placed at the base of the shield to effectively communicate a commitment to truth through knowledge.

The base of the candle reflects the lyrical form of the scroll as an integrated expression of the Gospel reflected in the motto “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free”. (John 8:32).

The identity of the College is thus firmly grounded in the Gospel values identified in the motto. From this base the candle emerges to illuminate the charism of Nano Nagle and the Mission Statement of the Congregation of Presentation Sisters to “commit ourselves to act for Gospel justice within the whole of creation”. (General Chapter 1998).

Tincture/Colour

Azure/Blue (Saxe) ground
Truth, intellect, revelation, wisdom, loyalty, piety, peace, chastity.
Blue is the colour of the great deep, the feminine principle of the waters. In the Christian tradition it symbolises heaven, heavenly truth, eternity, faith, fidelity. It is the colour of the Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven.

Or/Gold
Divine power, the splendour of enlightenment immortality, God as uncreated light, the masculine principle.

Gules/Red/Maroon (Murrey)
Fire, love, joy, energy, faith, fortitude, magnanimity renewal of life. In the Christian tradition it symbolises Christs’ passion, the fire of Pentecost, zeal in faith, love, power, dignity. (J.C. Cooper Symbols P39-41).

REFERENCES

1. Bernard T. Dowd & S.E. Tearle : Centenary Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Wagga Wagga NSW 1874-1974 (1973)

2. Kathleen Dunlop Kane : The Presentation Sisters in Victoria Adventures in Faith the Congregation of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Victoria 1974.

3. M.R. MacGinley PBVM: Roads to Sion. Presentation Sisters in Australia 1866-1980 Boolarong Publications, Brisbane 1983.

4. J.C. Cooper An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols Thames & Hudson, London 1978.

5. “Heraldry” Microsoft ® Encarta ® 97 Encyclopedia (C) 1993-1996 Microsoft Corporation.

Design Team

Mrs. Lindsay Donnan, Principal (1998-2003)
Mrs. Monica Grabowski, Publicity Officer
Mrs. Cathy McCabe, Archives Research & Graphic Design
Catholic Education Office Leichhardt - Computer Graphics
Kirsty Minogue - Shazaam Graphics

Acknowledgments

Sr. Margaret Hickey PBVM
Sr. Mary Madden PBVM
Sr. Maureen Watson PBVM
Mrs. Enid Ritchie
Mr. Damian King

Top	121 First Avenue Five Dock NSW 2046 T: 9712 2133, F: 9712 5296 E: info@domremy.catholic.edu.au