Burford House was established in 2010, an exciting and rewarding year for students and staff alike, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the College’s House system.

The House was originally intended to be named after Sr Philomena Burford RSSJ, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the College. However, as further research was undertaken, it became clear that her brother, Fr John T. Burford MSC, was also a significant figure in Chevalier College’s history and development.

Sr Philomena is remembered for her unwavering dedication to literacy and learning support at Chevalier between 1988 and 1995. A woman of deep faith, she was passionate about the education and development of young people, and her work laid important foundations for what we now refer to as learning enhancement.

Fr John T. Burford was a gentle and devoted MSC priest who served as a teacher and Rector at the College during three distinct periods: 1946–47, 1952–56 (as Rector), and 1975–82. He also worked closely with the Chevalier Parents and Friends Association, with his contributions honoured in a window of the Riversdale Chapel.

While Burford House was initially to be named solely in memory of Sr Philomena, Chevalier College today proudly recognises both Sr Philomena Burford RSSJ and Fr John T. Burford MSC as co-patrons of the House. Two remarkable siblings who shared a commitment to faith, service, and education.

The bold colour purple was chosen to represent Burford House, sparking a vibrant spirit and strong sense of identity. Why purple? Because it’s not yellow, green, blue, or red – it stands proudly on its own, just like the Burford community. Known for their energy, enthusiasm, and carnival-like atmosphere at College events, Burford students march and sing with pride.

In their debut year, Burford House won the overall 2010 House Cup – a fitting achievement that set the tone for a house that continues to thrive as a strong, cohesive, and friendly part of the Chevalier family.

With increasing student enrolments at Chevalier College, it was decided during 2011 that another new house should be established.

Naming the new house “Clancy” out of respect and gratitude and to honour our dear Br Kenneth Clancy msc, was a popular choice.  Br Ken (b: 3 July 1925 – d: 6 April 2018) began his journey as an MSC Brother, undertaking his official Profession on 26 October 1960.  A long-time friend said of this wonderful and inspiring man that “beneath Ken’s shy and quiet demeanour beats a resilient heart with a fierce determination and a passionate love for all God’s creatures.”

One of Ken’s annual traditions at Chev was to plant a crop of sunflowers. The deep orange of the huge happy yellow flower head centres that brightened the college inspired the choice of orange for Clancy’s house colour.

Clancy House is also dedicated to honour and acknowledge the contribution of all the MSC Brothers and non-teaching staff who contribute to Chevalier in the past, present and future.

Giles House began in 1960 and is named after Monsignor Joseph Giles (D.D. Dph) who was parish priest of Mittagong during the early to mid-1940s.  Monsignor Giles recognised the problem of finding suitable secondary education for the boys of his parish since there was no Catholic secondary boys’ school between Campbelltown and Goulburn. Due to his prayers and exertions, together with the support of Cardinal Gilroy, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart were persuaded to open a college at Riversdale in Burradoo.

Giles House runs a valuable community service program – visiting the Harbison Care Centre across the road from the college every week. Students enjoy helping to run activities, serving afternoon tea and having the opportunity to talk with the elderly residents at the centre.

Giles enjoyed an eight year winning streak at the College Swimming Carnival from 2011 to 2018. Most recently their prowess at athletics has been on display, winning both the 2018 and 2019 College Athletics Carnivals.

Gold was the original colour of Giles House.

Osborne House began its life in 1960 as Berrima House – a house created especially for the day boys who were all residents of the district of Berrima.

As noted in the 1966 college yearbook, over the years “the opportunity for greater mixing between boarders and day boys [has] proved to have had a good effect on school spirit”. More students were attending from the wider community, all houses by then had a mix of both day boys and boarders, and so Berrima House was renamed Osborne House.

Osborne House was named after the pastoralist, Henry Osborne who commissioned architect John Horbury Hunt to design Riversdale House on the Sadlier’s grant site (part of the Riversdale Estate), where Chevalier College was established in 1946.

The house was sky blue as Berrima House then as Osborne House it was royal blue. But modern Osborne House members proudly wear yellow for their house.

Reid House was successful in the early years – the leading house that first year, winning in 1960 – placing first in cricket, football and athletics – and winning again in 1962. Reid’s original house colour was red.

The first Reid House Captain was Frederick Stubenrauch, who later became the first lay Principal of Chevalier College (2002-2007).

Reid House was named after the first Rector of Chevalier College, Dr Harry J. Reid, an MSC priest.  His influence helped make the College and the faith it professed well accepted in the district. He was a keen golfer and tennis player. Father Reid was Rector at Chevalier College for three years, from 1946 to 1948.

Over the past three years, the McKinnon Cup has been hotly contested, a round-robin of games and activities. The cup was named after John McKinnon who was a past student, teacher and Reid House Coordinator.

Reid House, the ‘Green Machine’, continues to go from strength to strength – being known for its friendliness, enthusiasm and lived Heart Spirituality.

Riversdale House began in 1960 – named after the estate on which the original manor house was built in the 1880’s. The property of “Riversdale” was owned by a number of individuals until the MSCs purchased the property with the intention of opening a boys’ boarding school which we now know as Chevalier College, established in 1946.

The original colour of Riversdale was green – now proudly red! 1961 was Riversdale’s year to lead the points table in cricket, football and athletics and winners of the house competition that year by 126 points.

Since then Riversdale has flourished as a house having many fine representatives in the fields of athletics, swimming, cross country, drama, music, academics as well as some outstanding leaders. This combined with the high house spirit and the dedicated and enthusiastic participation of those students in red, augurs well for many successful years ahead for the mighty Riversdale.