School Motto

Levavi Oculos

Yarra Valley Grammar’s motto is Levavi Oculos, which means ‘I lift up my eyes’. It comes from the first line of Psalm 121 and reflects the School’s Christian ethos of an inspirational, yet humble approach to student life.

Our School badge, a Bishop's Mitre, represents the tongues of fire that appeared above the head of each apostle at Pentecost, the Feast of the Holy Spirit. The Cross of Christ appears on the Mitre three times, signifying the Holy Trinity. As the light of Christ conquers even the darkness of death, so too the red and yellow, the colours of Pentecost, stand out against the black reminding us that the deeds of light always overcome the deeds of darkness.

The School Chapel is dedicated to the Holy Spirit, and the School's Holy Day is the Feast of Pentecost. Yarra Valley Grammar’s motto was chosen at the founding of the School. The location of the School overlooking the Yarra Valley towards Mount Dandenong and the Warburton Ranges, and the aim of the School, to be a place of inspiration, make the opening line of the Psalm a very appropriate motto.

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip
He who watches over you will not slumber;
Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you
The Lord is your shade at your right hand;
The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm -
He will watch over your life;
The Lord will watch over your coming and going
Both now and forevermore.