The College Crests
The House System
The College Crests
The main College crest has as its centre the anchor of faith, symbolising the Catholic nature of the College, with the cross at the top. The roses are those of Hampshire and England, and the tree has a double symbolism: 'Bosco' means 'tree' in Italian, and Farnborough was famous for its pine trees. The motto - "Virtus Sola Nobilitas" - means "Virtue is the only nobility". Around the shield, showing the connection of the College with the Diocese of Portsmouth, is a bishop's hat with its twelve tassels. All students are allocated to one of four Houses, each dedicated to a famous saint connected with this country. In most years the form division is by House. The crests of the individual houses are all symbolic of the eponymous saint:
St. Aidan's The motto "Certa neve cede" means "fight and never give in". The stag, or hart, is usually associated with St Aidan, who brought Christianity to the north of England from Ireland.
St. Bede's The motto "Indivisa" means "undivided". The "Venerable Bede" was one of the greatest historians of the Church.
St. Dunstan’s The motto “Dum spiro spero” means “While I breathe I hope.” A man of great learning, St Dunstan was a 10th century Archbishop of Canterbury, and is the patron saint of the wool trade. The chalice is the symbol of his priesthood.
St. Hugh's The motto “Esse quam videri” means “Be rather than seem”. St Hugh was an abbot of great learning, and so is an ideal patron of a school house. His shield shows the pallium – the vestment presented by the pope to abbots and archbishops.
House Crests Gallery Images
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