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Sydney Catholic Schools

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So far Frank has created 10 blog entries.

SCS Kindy teacher, former student reunite on Mother’s Day TV special

There were plenty of surprises during filming of a Mother’s Day TV special at St Francis de Sales Catholic Primary School Woolooware this week.

Students and a beloved teacher took centre stage during filming of a Mother’s Day segment for national Channel 9 TV show, TODAY, on Tuesday.

Weather presenter Tim Davies – himself a St Francis de Sales alumnus – asked students questions about their mums. But what the kids didn’t know was that their emotional mums would later watch what the unabashed students responded with.

And what Mr Davies couldn’t know is that he’d also be reunited with his former Kindy teacher during filming.

Just, wow.

Gratitude overflows

Asked what she thought of Mum, Year 4 pupil Darcey Dolden, commented: “She looks after me a lot and she does funny dance moves.”

Sydney Catholic Schools students Darcey Dolden with sisters Emilie and Grace during filming for Today's Mother's Day TV special Darcey Dolden (centre) with sisters Emilie and Grace.

There was also some light-hearted banter between Darcey and her two siblings, Emilie and Grace, about who was Mum’s favourite child.

“Deep down I think Mum likes us all the same, cause we all have different personalities and we’re all good,” Darcey said laughing.

Proud mum, Amie Dolden, later remarked that she liked “that they were saying that they’re thankful for things that I didn’t realise that they were thankful for.”

“It’s cool,” Ms Dolden added. “The kids will remember it forever. It’s really nice.”

“It was really fun and he’s (Tim) really funny, so I really enjoyed the experience” – St Francis de Sales student Darcey Dolden

TV star’s homecoming

Coming back to his old primary school brought back nostalgic memories for …

May 6, 2022|
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The Voice 2022: SCS alumna turns four chairs in her blind audition

Nicola de Sensi is the latest St Patrick’s College Sutherland alumna to take reality singing show The Voice Australia by storm.

Sydney Catholic Schools alumna Nicola De SensiAll four judges turned their chairs for Nicola during her blind audition performance this week of hit Billie Eilish song ‘when the party’s over’. 

This gave the 20-year-old the opportunity to pick her coach on the Channel 7 show. She ultimately chose to join Team Guy Sebastian.

Cheering for Nicola off stage were her mother, father, brother and her Nonna (grandmother), who Nicola referred to as her “number one fan”.

“She’s been wanting me to go on (the program) forever,” Nicola told judge Jessica Mauboy during her blind audition.

Last year Nicola’s schoolmates Jordan and Sian Fuller also turned all four judges’ chairs during the show’s blind auditions. The talented siblings ended up progressing all the way to the show’s finals.

Now Nicola is hoping to follow in their giant footsteps.

The Voice Australia airs Mondays through Wednesdays on Channel 7.

The brain-boosting benefits of an Amadeus music education

April 22, 2022|
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Students remember our fallen in NSW ANZAC Commemoration video

Sydney Catholic Schools students have taken centre stage in a poignant ANZAC Day video being shown across schools in New South Wales to mark the occasion.

Filmed in Hyde Park in Sydney on 15 March 2022, the 2022 RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Commemoration video features students from Holy Cross College Ryde, St John Bosco Catholic Primary School Engadine and St Mary’s Cathedral College Sydney, alongside students from all across the state.

About the ANZAC Commemoration

The 2022 RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Commemoration was arranged between RSL NSW, the NSW Department of Education, the NSW Association of Independent Schools and Catholic Schools NSW.

RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Commemorations have taken place every year for nearly seven decades, except in 2020 when it was cancelled due to COVID-19.

This year schools across NSW were invited to download the ANZAC Commemoration video to show during their own in-school ceremonies, either in the last week of Term 1 or in the first week of Term 2 which begins the day after ANZAC Day.

ANZAC Day on April 25 is a commemoration and remembrance of all Australians who have served and died in war and on operation service around the world. Lest we forget.

St Mary's Cathedral Choir perform as part of the 2022 RSL ANZAC Commemoration St Mary’s Cathedral Choir perform as part of the 2022 RSL ANZAC Commemoration

Students remember our fallen

Lorenzo Pavan, a cadet in Holy Cross College’s Australian Army Cadet Unit program, was the Master of Ceremonies in the 2022 RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Commemoration.

“ANZAC Day is very special to me because I’ve had family …

April 22, 2022|
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Executive Director’s Excellence in HSC and VET Awards recipients 2022

More than 200 Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) HSC graduates and VET students have been recognised by SCS’ Executive Director, Tony Farley, at a gala ceremony in Sydney. 

The system’s first combined Executive Director’s Excellence in HSC and VET Awards ceremony was held last night at the International Convention Centre. It was also live streamed on the centre’s website.

The awards recognise the amazing achievements of SCS students in 2021, in either the Higher School Certificate (HSC) or Vocational Education and Training (VET).

Speakers on the night included Mr Farley and  SCS’ Director of Education and Research, Dr Kate O’Brien.

Freeman Catholic College Bonnyrigg Heights alumna Keisha Sta Barbara, who was the top SCS student in the HSC Music 1 examination, provided a musical performance for the audience.

 SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENTS

The principals of St Clare’s College Waverley and Trinity Catholic College Auburn accepted awards on behalf of their schools, which had outstanding results in the 2021 HSC.

St Clare’s was the highest-placed SCS secondary school in the Sydney Morning Herald’s top 150 secondary schools rankings, coming in 29th in NSW.

Trinity had the biggest ranking improvement of any SCS school, climbing 191 spots up the state ladder.

HSC FIRST IN STATE

Eight SCS students who ranked first in the entire state in a 2021 HSC subject  were also recognised on the night. They were:

  • Tony Khattar: Clancy Catholic College West Hoxton (Construction – tied)
  • Brock Wilson: Aquinas Catholic College Menai (Construction – tied)
  • Oliver Wells: Aquinas Catholic College Menai (Construction – tied)
  • Jovanka Lim: Bethany College Hurstville (Indonesian and Literature)
March 30, 2022|
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NSWCPS MacKillop Swimming Championships results 2022

Forty-nine young athletes from 20 schools in the Archdiocese of Sydney are set to compete at the NSW Primary School Sports Association (NSWPSSA) Swimming Championships on Wednesday 6 April following a stellar day in the pool.

More than 120 athletes from 52 Sydney Catholic schools competed in the 2022 NSWCPS Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on 22 March. 

Forty-nine swimmers collected 60 medals – 25 gold, 18 silver, and 17 bronze.

Students compete at NSWCPS Swimming Championships

Impressively, they now make up 40 percent of the NSW Catholic Primary School (NSWCPS) MacKillop team progressing to the NSWPSSA Swimming Championships from Sydney Catholic schools.

The MacKillop team draws from schools in five Catholic dioceses in southern NSW.

“This level of competition provides our talented swimmers an opportunity to compete against the best Catholic school students in the state,” said Sydney Catholic Schools’ Manager: Pre to Post Sport, Damien Kerr.

“Our best athletes are now provided a platform to show how they compare with some of the best in Australia” – Damien Kerr

View the full results

March 29, 2022|
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Hudson makes a splash at swimming championships

The Sydney Catholic Schools Swimming Championships may well have uncovered an Australian Paralympian of the future in Hudson Wan.

The medals flowed for the Our Lady of Mt Carmel Catholic Primary School Mt Pritchard student, who swam in three events at the 2022 Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

Hudson placed first in breaststroke and freestyle, and second in backstroke.

Hudson Wan on the podium receiving his medal Hudson took to the podium many times during the championships.

But his favourite thing about swimming isn’t winning. It’s “that you get to explore things underwater and find out new things to learn about,” Hudson said. 

Lapping up success

Hudson’s mother, Kia, first enrolled Hudson in swimming lessons when he was just two “for water safety and also for exercise at the time, because he had a physical limitation with his left leg,” she said. 

“I thought swimming would be the best opportunity for him to get that exercise in and have some fun,” Ms Wan added.

She said they only more recently realised Hudson was a super swimmer.

“He had surgery with the amputation, and then he just picked up and surprised everybody – his swimming coach, swimming teachers,” Ms Wan said.

“He’s ready to get back into mainstream training with the rest of the crew, and doesn’t need any private lessons anymore.”

“He doesn’t have any limitations in his mind, which is really important” – Hudson’s mother, Kia

“I think he (Hudson) would love to be able to participate in the Paralympics one day, hopefully,” Ms Wan said. 

“Today is the beginning of many competitions I hope, and he’ll make lots of good …

March 28, 2022|
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Green wants girls to aim for the top

More female Sydney Catholic Schools’ (SCS) students will aspire to become Olympians, if former Australian netballer and SCS alumna Kimberlee Green has her way.

Green, who represented the Australian Diamonds national netball team 74 times, is one of the big names to join SCS’ newly formed Sports Council.

The Council will aim to provide more sporting opportunities for all 150 SCS schools, including more access to participation in elite sport.

“I want to be able to bring a different view, especially coming from women’s sport, I’m really passionate about making sure there’s great opportunities there” – Kimberlee Green

“You have a look at the Olympics coming up and there’s quite a few women’s sports that are going to be there,” Ms Green said.

“How do we get as many students as possible putting their hands up for selection? That’s what I hope for my position.”

A DIAMOND STUDDED CAREER

Ms Green is certainly no stranger to sport at the upper echelons.

Her mother is an Olympian and a Commonwealth Games champion swimmer, her father is a former South Sydney rugby league player. She is married to former Test cricketer Trent Copeland.

And Ms Green is a decorated netballer in her own right.

She started her career at the Sydney Swifts as a 16-year-old while still at school. She was on the NSW Swifts team when they won the first Trans-Tasman ANZ Championship in 2008.

She left the Swifts at the end of the 2016 season to become the inaugural captain of GIANTS Netball, in the Super Netball competition, before retiring in 2019.

Ms Green’s highest honours came on the international stage, joining her mum – Australian former competitive swimmer Denise June …

March 2, 2022|
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What to expect at our children’s vaccination hubs!

Sydney Catholic Schools’ children’s vaccination hubs are now open!

Sydney Catholic Schools has partnered with South East Sydney Local Health District to establish COVID-19 vaccination hubs at Marcellin College Randwick and St Patrick’s College Sutherland for 5-11 year-olds.

In this video, vaccine recipient Madeline chats with our Executive Director Tony Farley about what to expect. 

For more information about the hubs, or for the NSW Health booking links, please click here. Spaces still available.

January 19, 2022|
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WATCH: Meet our new Principal

Introducing Sydney Catholic Schools’ newest Principal.

He arrives at Galilee Bondi from St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School Ashbury, bubbling with contagious enthusiasm and excitement to meet all our students, parents and teachers.

Meet Mr Brian Anderson – here’s what he had to say:

Congratulations to all of Sydney Catholic Schools’ newly appointed 2022 Principals and Assistant Principals! We wish you all the best in the journey ahead.

Sydney Catholic Schools' new 2022 Principals and Assistant Principals Welcome!

December 20, 2021|
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Sydney Catholic Schools
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our schools and offices now stand. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Sydney Catholic Schools’ students perform an ‘Acknowledgement of Country’

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World Square NSW 2002

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