Traditional Owners
Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School acknowledges the Wurundjeri people as the traditional inhabitants of the Koora Kooracup area (Sunbury).
Sunbury is the location of the Sunbury Earth Rings (Bora Rings) which are interpreted as Aboriginal ceremonial sites. The five prehistoric Aboriginal earth rings inspired our school architecture honouring the area’s rich Aboriginal heritage. The central pavilion is built to the precise diameter of the smallest of these ancient ceremonial sites, serving as a tangible mark of respect for the Traditional Custodians and the sacred geometry of the land.
Influential factors for the school colours
Our school’s predominant purple colour is inspired by the Chocolate Lily (Arthropodium strictum), a significant local food source and a daily visual acknowledgement of the site’s rich ecological history.
The Chocolate Lily itself is a cultural keystone, embodying the reciprocal relationship of respect, deep ecological knowledge, and sustainable practices.
This principle of reciprocal care forms the cornerstone of our school’s education, teaching students to be responsible stewards of their environment and community.
Colour schemes throughout the school are also inspired by other native species connected to the land the school has been built upon.
Orange for the Golden Sun Moth (Synemon plana) – Once widespread across millions of hectares of native grasslands prior to European settlement, the species occurs within the traditional Country of many Indigenous groups, who are recognised as custodians of these now threatened grassland ecosystems.
Green for the Growling Grass Frog (Litoria raniformis) – Deeply tied to the traditional lands of Indigenous nations, aprticularly within the greater Melbourne area on the lands of the Wadawurrung, Wurundjeri and Bunurong peoples, the frog is often associated with wetland environments, which are critical areas for First Nations peoples.
Beech for the Grassland Earless Dragon (Tympanocryptis pinguicolla) – Indigneous to the native temperate grasslands, with distinct populations in the Melbourne region, the have evolved to live in cooler southern climates compared to other Australian earless dragons.
Local History
Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School is located on the edge of the Rosenthal Estate in Sunbury.
Names by its original owner, Robert Frederick Kurrle, Rosenthal, meaning Rose Valley in German, was first operated as a winery (1869-1882).
In 1918, long term Sunbury residents Frank and Ernest Millet purchased Rosenthal and turned it into a thriving farm. The Millett Family of Sunbury has a lasting connection to Rosenthal’s story. The Rosenthal Development was founded by Tom Millett, who envisioned creating an extended Sunbury community.
Source: www.rosenthal.com.au/about