Costello House
Ellen Costello was born in Bunbury on 31 August 1855. She was professed as a Sister of Mercy on 8 September 1880 and took the religious name of Sister Mary Angela. In 1897, when a new Mercy Congregation was formed in Bunbury, Sister Mary Angela was appointed as its first Mother Superior.
Through her selfless service and dedication, Sister Angela demonstrated that small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect of positive change. She inspired others to embrace mercy and compassion as guiding principles in their own lives. Her legacy continues to shape the ethos of Costello House, fostering a community where every individual is valued and supported.
Our Crest and Motto
The Costello House crest consists of the Bunbury Lighthouse, water, and the Mercy Cross.
The lighthouse on the left side of the crest represents the scenic coastal City of Bunbury, which lies nestled in a cradle of natural beauty in the south west of Western Australia. A beacon of hope, the lighthouse reminds students that our House patron, Sister Mary Angela Costello, brought hope and better futures to some of the local people, teaching them life skills and empowering them to serve their communities.
Surrounded by rivers, an estuary and the Indian Ocean, Bunbury is associated with water. This is depicted at the bottom of the crest, in the form of three waves. These waves also symbolise the past, present and future generations of Our Lady of Mercy students, and their connection to the College and its vision.
The Mercy Cross is illuminated on the crest by a strong beam of light from the lighthouse. The focal point of the crest, the Mercy Cross, symbolises the sacrifices made by the original Mercy sisters, led by House patron Sister Angela Costello. Its positioning at the top of the crest alludes to God’s, omniscient power, presiding over the elements below. It is the largest of the symbols on the crest and represents the Catholic values of the College.
Therefore, all three components reflect the House motto of Guide, Inspire and Uphold.
The House colour, blue, is connected with the sky and ocean and symbolises stability, inspiration and wisdom.