The amalagamation of St. Mary's College and St. Joseph's High School, Lismore was a process that began in 1965 when a decision was made to combine Senior classes for the first Higher School Certificate curriculum. There was no thought of amalgamation in 1965 but the decision made then lead to the developments of 1977. Increasing enrolments and the need for a building programme set the scene for a merger of Junior classes and the introduction of coeducation throughout the schools. This process extended from 1977 to 1981. It was a period of conflict and resistance to change but it laid the foundation for the complete amalgamation of the schools to form Trinity Catholic College in 1985. The amalgamation process provides a study of decision-making in a Catholic school context. Changes in the Church, Catholic schools and Religious Orders are reflected in the changes in the way that decisions were made at the three key-points in the story. The study draws attention to the fact that in amalgamations of schools much of the planning is done in terms of the present schools rather than for the new school which is always twice as large and much more complex. The non-educational aspects of amalgamation are also considered because they are a time-consuming but important part of the planning. This study shows the importance of rituals in laying the old schools to rest so that the new school may come into being. A visible indication that things are different is essential when the students, staff and buildings remain as they had been. Since amalgamations are becoming more common as student numbers decline some lessons learned over the past twenty years are recorded so that others may benefit from them.

Since its foundation between 1410 and 1414 the University of St Andrews has acquired what can be considered to be ‘artefacts of significance’. This somewhat nebulous phrase is used to denote items that have, for a variety of reasons, been deemed to have some special import by the University, and have been displayed or otherwise presented in a context in which this status has been made apparent. The types of artefacts in which particular meaning has been vested during the centuries under consideration include items of silver and gold (including the maces, sacramental vessels of the Collegiate Church of St Salvator, collegiate plate and relics of the Silver Arrow archery competition); church and college furnishings; artworks (particularly portraits); sculpture; and ethnographic specimens and other items described in University records as ‘curiosities’ held in the University Library from c. 1700-1838. The identification of particular artefacts as significant for certain reasons in certain periods, and their presentation and display, may to some extent reflect the University's values, preoccupations and aspirations in these periods, and, to some degree, its identity. Consciously or subconsciously, the objects can be employed or operate as signifiers of meaning, representing or reflecting matters such as the status, authority and history of the University, its breadth of learning and its interest and influence in spheres from science, art and world cultures to national affairs. This thesis provides a comprehensive examination of the growth and development of the University's holdings of 'artefacts of significance' from its foundation to the mid-19th century, and in some cases (especially portraits) beyond this date. It also offers insights into how the University viewed and presented these items and what this reveals about the University of St Andrews, its identity, which changed and developed as the living institution evolved, and the impressions that it wished to project.