Pelican
According to Greek Legend, of all creatures the Pelican has the greatest love for its offspring. It pierces its own breast to feed its young on its own blood. Christians have taken this legend as a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross and in the Eucharist.
The Globe
The Pelican is usually shown with its young in a nest. Here the pelican chicks are replaced by a cross and globe design to show that Christ’s blood redeems the entire world.
The Star
The De La Salle Brothers, who administer St James College, always include a five point star in their school badges. The international badge of the brothers is simply a star called ‘Signum Fidei’ (Sign of Faith). It is the star of Bethlehem that led the Wise Men to Christ; likewise Christian teachers hope to lead young people to Christ and Wisdom.
The Motto
St James College is a Regional College - that is, students come from many parishes. They also come from many Cultural backgrounds. In Christ, through Baptism and Eucharist, all differences are lost as we are one family: Brothers and sisters in Christ.
St James The Greater - Apostle
St James, son of Zebedee and brother of St John, was born in Bethsaida in Galilee: he is called ‘The Greater”, to distinguish him from the other apostle, James, who is thought to have been younger. The Gospels frequently mention Christ as calling Peter, James and John aside, suggesting a special friendship for these three. They were present at The Transfiguration and The Agony at Gethsemane. St James was beheaded in Jerusalem in 42 AD by order of Herod Agrippa, who hoped to please the Jews. St James was the first apostle to die.
