Nano Nagle
Nano Nagle (1718–1784) was born in Ballygriffin, Ireland, during the time of persecution of Irish Catholics under the English penal laws. In response to her encounters with desperate poverty, deprivation and ignorance, Nano established schools for Catholic children in the city of Cork.
After spending her days teaching, Nano ventured out each night, guided by a lantern, to bring food, comfort and companionship to the needy.
Over time, a small number of dedicated women joined Nano in her work. After spending her days teaching, Nano ventured out each night, guided by a lantern, to bring food, comfort and companionship to the needy. She became known throughout Cork as the ‘Lady with the lantern’.
A woman of true integrity, Nano’s life and work reflect her radical, personal commitment to living out the gospel imperative to love by taking real action for justice that transforms the world.
Nano Nagle was declared ‘Venerable’ on 31 October 2013, as the first stage in the cause for her canonisation.
Nano Nagle’s work continued with the creation of the Presentation Sisters who came to Australia in 1875.
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Presentation Sisters
In 1875, a group of five Presentation Sisters left Kildare, Ireland, to establish a convent and school in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales.
In 1883, Mother John Byrne PBVM and Mother Paul Fay PBVM travelled to Melbourne in response to a request from Archbishop Goold, who asked the Sisters to open a new school in the growing city. The Presentation Sisters took up residence in a house called ‘Turret Lodge’ in Elsternwick (later known as Gardenvale and Brighton) and opened a school. Both day students from the local area and boarders from across regional Victoria attended.
Since that time, Star of the Sea College has flourished. Today, it continues to provide high-quality education for day students.
Through everything, we strive to honour and maintain the strong Presentation traditions of our College.
While the Sisters no longer teach at the school, we proudly maintain a close connection with the Presentation Congregation of Victoria, the Presentation Society of Australia and Papua New Guinea, the International Presentation Association and the Nagle Education Alliance of Australia. Through everything, we strive to honour and maintain the strong Presentation traditions of our College.
