History of William Clarke College 

William Clarke College was constituted by Ordinance of the Anglican Church in October 1987 as "a school in the Hills Region to provide an education which in its content and environment allows for full individual development in the spiritual, academic, physical and social domains based on a clear biblical perspective in accordance with the doctrines and principles of the Anglican Church of Australia in the Diocese of Sydney". One hundred and thirteen students in Years 7 and 8 began lessons on 2nd February 1988 using temporary accommodation. Building began in mid 1988 and the College has continued to grow to the present day. The first Year 12 class graduated in 1992. 

William Branwhite Clarke

The College is named after the Rev. William Branwhite Clarke MA, FRS who was born in 1798 and arrived in Australia on board the "Roxburgh Castle" on 1st June 1839.

By vocation a minister of the gospel, Clarke was the first Incumbent of the Parish of ‘Castle Hill with Rouse Hill and Dural’ appointed by Bishop Broughton on 3rd Dec 1839. and remained in charge of the parishes until 1st October 1844. At the time, he lived in Parramatta where, as well as parish duties, he was also the second Headmaster of The King's School, Parramatta.

Academically, Clarke became known as a writer, poet and especially a scientist. He had been a pupil of the famous Rev. Adam Sedgwick, Professor of Geology at Cambridge. Following in the footsteps of his mentor he became renowned internationally as Australia’s leading scientist and the ‘father of Australian Geology’. He is credited with finding payable amounts of gold deposits in the young Colony, but the Governor at the time, Governor Gipps, instructed him to keep quiet about the discovery “lest they have their throats cut by the escaping convicts”.

He was first a minister of the gospel but one actively involved in both education and academic endeavour. It is most appropriate that the College bears his name. As an example of a liberally educated person, notable as scholar, pastor and minister of the Gospel, also as educator and scientist, he is a worthy example to those today involved in teaching and learning.