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Sydney Catholic Schools

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E-Safety for Students

Staying safe during online learning. 

Never before has being online been so crucial to our daily lives. Students are logging on to learn and socialise in unprecedented ways but it’s crucial our children stay safe while online.

The Sydney Catholic Schools’ Student Wellbeing Team has created a range of safety tips for both primary and secondary students that cover key online safety issues.

These tips encourage students to engage in an online environment, while also remaining safe and proactive.

We urge parents to ensure their children have read these tips before logging on.

  • Online safety tips for Primary school students
  • Online safety tips for Secondary school students

For more information:

If parents have questions regarding their child’s learning needs, please contact your school.

February 6, 2023|
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Child Safe Communities (Child Safety)

At Sydney Catholic Schools, we believe child safety is a community responsibility – and it’s one we take very seriously. Our schools undertake a number of preventative and responsive steps to ensure all children are protected.

Such steps include complying with NSW laws in our recruitment practices, screening people who work with children, risk assessments, responding to complaints and reporting allegations of abuse or neglect to relevant authorities. Steps include ensuring relevant policies and procedures are accessible for parents and carers.

Also crucial is creating a safe school environment for children to learn within. This means we expect others in the community, who are involved in our schools, to support our school processes for ensuring student safety and wellbeing. This includes staff, volunteers, parents, family members, students themselves, visitors, contractors, religious and clergy.

Induction and Training
All employees, contractors and volunteers working with children in Sydney
Catholic systemic schools undertake an induction in child safety.

Volunteers
Anyone seeking to volunteer in a Sydney Catholic systemic school must complete an application form to volunteer, be registered and attend an induction for volunteers at the school. It is expected that all volunteers (including parents, family members, carers, clergy and religious) will support this process if they wish to be approved to volunteer in a Sydney Catholic systemic school. Relevant forms for volunteers will be provided by the school.

Contractors or Visitors
Sydney Catholic systemic schools have procedures for the engagement of contractors and visitors engaging with our schools’ activities. All contractors and visitors must adhere to the SCS Child Safe Communities framework.

Principal’s Authority
Schools have a duty of care to ensure that children are safe when under the supervision of the school. Therefore, if a principal has a concern that a person, (whether an adult or young person), may pose a risk to a student, including any serious disruption of education, …

January 19, 2022|
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1995 Trinity Catholic College Founded

Trinity Catholic College was founded in 1995 from an amalgamation of three schools: Benedict Senior College, St John’s Regional College for Girls, and St Peter Chanel Girls’ High. Today, Trinity Catholic College is a co-educational secondary college providing high quality Catholic education and co-curricular activities and experiences for students in Years 7–12. Read More

August 25, 2021|
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World Bee Day 2021

May 20 is World Bee Day and a perfect time to reflect on the importance of pollinators in all our lives.

St Joseph's Oatley Bee Hive Year 2 students Alena and Greta in front of the Bee Hive

Six months after receiving their playground beehive St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Oatley is abuzz with Australian native stingless Bees – double in fact.

And the school’s junior beekeepers have since become passionate bee advocates.

“Bees are important because they help to pollinate,” explained Year 1 student, Alex Moroz.

Luca Pirrello, also in Year 1, said: “Bees carry the pollen and some of it falls off.” Year 6 student, Issac Assaly, added: “This helps more flowers and vegetables to grow.”

About the beehive

Funding for the school’s beehive and a bush tucker garden was given to the school after Year 5 students wrote to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Oatley state MP Mark Coure.

St Joseph's Oatley Bee Hive Laurence Gardner Year 1, in front of the Bee Hive

“The purpose for having the beehive was to assist with the rejuvenation of the land after our devastating bushfires,” the school’s Inquiring Minds teacher, Kate Blackman, said.

“Other colonies will grow from this hive and establish elsewhere.”

“Since the bushfires, the flowers need to rejuvenate so the bees help with pollination; this increases the growth” – Elees Hilder

St Joseph's Oatley Students in front of the Bee HiveSt Joseph's Oatley Students in front of the Bee Hive St Joseph’s Oatley Students in front of the Bee Hive

Ms Blackman said the inquiring minds program has also helped students gain a better understanding of the importance of cross-pollination and the impact it has on plant growth.

As part of the program students designed the beehive, “ultimate pollinating …

May 25, 2021|
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Casting announcement

The excitement is building for the first Sydney Archdiocesan musical, Fame Jr.

The full cast has now been announced for the high-energy coming-of-age stage show, featuring 44 students from 21 schools across the Archdiocese of Sydney.

“We couldn’t believe the amazing talent that came along to audition – it was difficult to choose the final cast!” said Sydney Catholic Schools’ Specialist: Creative and Performing Arts, Eva Spata.

Fame Jr The Musical will be produced by Catholic Schools Performing Arts Sydney (CaSPA), in partnership with Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood.

There will be five performances, including matinees and evenings, at Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood on Wednesday, November 10; Friday, November 12; and Saturday, November 13.

“We are so excited to be working with an enthusiastic cast and production team, and can’t wait for the performances in November,” Ms Spata said.

Ticket information coming soon.

Carmen Jasmine Salinas Bethany College Hurstville
Diva 1 + Music Chorus Liliana Alexiou Our Lady of The Sacred Heart College. Kensington
Diva 2 + Music Chorus Bianca Sainz Southern Cross Catholic College, Burwood
Diva 3 + Music Chorus Mikayla Nolan Mount St Joseph, Milperra
Goodman (Goody) King Gerard Hill De La Salle College, Revesby Heights
Iris Madeline Safar Southern Cross Catholic College, Burwood
Joe (Jose) Vegas Ben Stabile John the Baptist Primary, Bonnyrigg Heights
Lambchops Lorelei Becci St Ursula’s College, Kingsgrove
Mabel Sienna Okello (pictured) Bethlehem College, Ashfield
Miss Esther Sherman Veronica Ferrigo (pictured) Bethlehem College, Ashfield
Mr Myers Jack Covell          Southern Cross Catholic College, Burwood
Mr Sheinkopf Sean Cullen         Marist College, Eastwood
Ms Greta Bell Jasmine Zhang         Freeman Catholic College, Bonnyrigg Heights
Nick Marcello Aliberto (pictured)       De La Salle College, Ashfield
Schlomo Dante Lizzio         Holy Cross College, Ryde
Serena Taylor Ramsay        Aquinas Catholic …
May 25, 2021|
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All Saints Catholic Primary School Liverpool, All Saints Catholic College Liverpool and All Saints Senior College Casula combine to form the K–12 All Saints Catholic College Liverpool.

All Saints Catholic Primary School Liverpool, All Saints Catholic College Liverpool and All Saints Senior College Casula combine to form All Saints Catholic College Liverpool. The school opened in 2020 as the first Kindergarten to Year 12 systemic school in the Archdiocese of Sydney. Read More

June 25, 2020|
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Staying Active in Iso

Family ‘brain breaks’ with Mr Kato.

You may be cooped up indoors because of the coronavirus, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay active, according to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Randwick teacher Ry Kato.

Mr Kato has created a series of family-friendly physical challenges to get everyone moving in their virtual classrooms.

“The challenges, which I created, are a little bonus to do for a family ‘brain break’ or when they have some extra time,” Mr Kato, who is the school’s PDHPE and wellbeing coordinator, said.

“Staying active is such an important element of a child’s life; this doesn’t change when they’re at home.

“Physical activity gives children a rest from screen time and will assist with their concentration and energy.”

Mr Kato said his challenges are contained within “PE at home” pro forma documents that he created for the school’s pupils ahead of the COVID-19 lockdown and tougher social-distancing rules.

Accessible via Google Classrooms, the pro formas direct pupils to daily workout videos, featuring either Mr Kato or his colleague, PE teacher Liam White.

In these videos, the teachers are seen exercising or dancing. The teachers encourage pupils to complete the fun physical challenges with them, either on their own or with their families as well.

“My main intention was to make sure that each child was able to have access to, and participate in, at least 15 to 30 minutes of physical activity per day in these difficult times,” Mr Kato said.

“I wanted them to be easy-to-follow exercises and dances, led by familiar faces, specific to infant and primary levels that could be enjoyed by all.

“The videos are always family-friendly and usually included a song which the children would know and enjoy listening to.

“I think the main thing from this whole process – which I will continue into next term – …

April 20, 2020|
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And breathe…

Parent/carer coping tips around remote learning.

Sydney Catholic School’s Head of Wellbeing has some sage advice for parents in this unprecedented time.

It’s being called a New World Order but, to many parents, life in the COVID-19 era feels more like utter chaos.

In a matter of weeks, they’ve had to find ways to work from home whilst also becoming instant tutors to their children. Many are feeling overwhelmed by these twin challenges but Stephen Said, Head of Wellbeing and Pastoral Care at Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS), says parents don’t need to panic.

“It’s completely natural to feel stressed by all that’s happened in the last few weeks. The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone,” he said. “There are more than 10,000 teachers and support staff working hard to make remote learning easier for families. We are actively assisting many students and families through this transition.”

Mr Said also urges parents not to place too much pressure on themselves during this difficult time. “Don’t expect to do everything perfectly. It’s simply not realistic for anyone no matter how organised and well-resourced they are. Instead, aim for what you can do and don’t worry about what you can’t.”

In fact, Mr Said says this is a good opportunity to teach our children valuable life skills such as resilience, time-management and self-care.

“Children will be looking to us to learn key coping mechanisms. So, be kind to yourself. Take the time to connect with your family, to share the load and to laugh. Cook healthy meals and go for a walk in the fresh air. Also, where possible, take some time out from all the demands and have a quiet moment to yourself.”

“Remember, as a parent or caregiver, you are your child’s first teacher. Trust in your instinct to know when something is …

April 20, 2020|
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Forging new frontiers

We take a behind the scenes look at the team helping schools transition to remote learning. 

In this unprecedented time of rapid change, a team of educational experts has been working around the clock at Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) central office. 

Known as the Education and Research Directorate (E&R), the team has been creating systems and tools to help teachers and students in this new world of learning at home.

Led by Dr Kate O’Brien and consisting of K-12 education specialists from across all areas of the curriculum, E&R is a hub of innovation.

“We’re working really hard to build the systems that school leaders, teachers and support staff need to keep their students engaged and learning”. Dr O’Brien said. ‘“Our key priority is ensuring our students’ wellbeing remains positive and that the learning continues in interesting ways. As a parent and grandparent, I acknowledge the complexity of supporting our children in the home with their learning. It is important that this is a positive experience, with fun and family connectedness. Play games, share ideas and help each other”.

 

Regardless of where our students are, this resource helps schools ensure all SCS children are learning and thriving.

– Dr Kate O’Brien

“We’re in constant contact with principals and school staff, hearing their feedback and tapping into the talent of more than 10,000 teachers. This means we’re updating our resources and guidance on a daily basis”. Dr O’Brien said. 

One of the team’s latest creations is a website especially for teachers with information, ideas and resources to enhance innovative ways of teaching. There are also helpful links that support education delivery in a variety of ways. 

The …

April 20, 2020|
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Connecting in a time of coronavirus

They are a dependable presence on the playground, and often the first responders when parents seek support on a range of faith and family issues. SCS Family Educators have always been a key link between the school, family and the parish.

As we move to remote learning, and an unspecified period of social isolation, these Family Educators are re-imaging the way they support the wellbeing of students and parents.

“We are now having to evolve in a virtual space, due to the impact of the Coronavirus and the associated restrictions,” said Meredith Lemos, Team Leader of the Family Educator Project. “We are continuing family support, which is critical in this difficult time, by thinking creatively and adapting already effective initiatives.”

“Our team is checking in on, and connecting, people through online activities such as weekly prayer meetings (*SPaRs), realtime playgroup gatherings, emailing wellbeing ideas and posting faith activities packs home”, Mrs Lemos said.

The team will also be emailing online pastoral care forms to families in a number of schools and parishes, providing a safe and dignified way of requesting support if needed.

“This support will come through regular phone calls, referrals to the parish priest, St Vincent de Paul services, CatholicCare and by counselling services,” Mrs Lemos said. “It will be like a hand reaching out to those who want to take hold”.

In a time where families are socially isolated, and the impact on their routines and livelihoods is changing regularly, Mrs Lemos said the dedicated Family Educator team is determined to continue providing pastoral care, links to outreach services, and keeping people connected.

“We encourage all families needing assistance – even if it’s just a listening ear – to get in touch. This is a challenging time for everyone and we’re here to support where we can”, Mrs Lemos said.

For referrals to support …

April 20, 2020|
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Term 1 ends early for Sydney Catholic Schools

Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) has ended the school term one week early to give teachers at the organisation’s 150 primary and secondary schools more time to plan remote learning.

SCS joins 11 other NSW and ACT dioceses in bringing forward the end of Term 1 and replacing lessons with staff development days from 6 April.

The decision, made in consultation with the NSW Government and Catholic Schools NSW, will also give families welcome downtime after measures to halt the spread of COVID-19 have left many to complete their own work and supervise their children’s learning at home.

The extra days this week will really help our family take a breath and work out the best way we can, as a family, tackle remote learning.

– Sarah Leaney

Schools will remain open to supervise students where needed, but no new lessons will be posted until Term 2 resumes on 27 April.

Educators and parents from Sydney Catholic schools have welcomed the decision.

SCS’ Director of Education and Research Kate O’Brien said teachers would use the additional time to plan units of work that could be completed at home independently or with minimal assistance, and timetables to best connect with students and their families in a rapidly changing space.

Students have so far shown a creative approach to remote learning, and filmed themselves making cakes, volcanoes, and new house plans at home. Podcasts have also become a new medium to explain what they have learnt from reading and literacy tasks.

“It is a very complex time for all families and having to supervise work and manage the impact of COVID-19 means different things to different families,” Ms O’Brien said.

“Teachers want the learning to be fun, to be filled with opportunities to do something a little different.”

Acting Principal of De La Salle Catholic College Cronulla Stephen …

April 20, 2020|
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Compassion, connection at heart of fire fundraiser

Before coronavirus sent students at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Randwick home to learn remotely, they rallied for a day to support a school hours from their own that was devastated by the bushfires that swept NSW this summer.

The school held a day of fundraising activities that spanned all areas of the curriculum and raised close to $20,000 for St Mary’s Primary School Moruya, on the NSW south coast, and wildlife rescue organisation WIRES.

Year 3 teacher Melissa Curry, one of the event’s coordinators, knew of the community after living in nearby Mollymook as a teenager and visiting Moruya to play basketball.  She said the principal of St Mary’s was overwhelmed by the offer of help at a tough time.

“Her school had also been evacuated in week three of the term because of the torrential rain. It had been flooded,” Ms Curry said.

“Last year we had a fundraiser through our parish to help build a bridge in Zambia, and I think we’ve kept that sentiment going. We’re building bridges with another community, and it is another community that the children could meet and holiday with.

“We’re going to become pen pals and forge a bond with St Mary’s that will last a lifetime, hopefully.”

Kindergarten student Elijah Frangi followed the footsteps of his older brother who has started his own charity and contributed $750 to the total raised through a walk-a-thon, read-a-thon and stalls during the March fundraiser. He said his family contributed the money “so they can continue their learning”.

We’re going to … forge a bond with St Mary’s that will last a lifetime.

– Melissa Curry

The fundraiser’s activities also helped hone students mathematics skills, literacy and creative side through the creation of two books with thoughts, prayers and drawings …

April 20, 2020|
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Good sport Chancellor a role model for pupils on international womens day

Balancing work, postgraduate study and a sporting career had Emily Chancellor leading the field as a role model for students at St Joseph the Worker Catholic Primary School Auburn South on International Women’s Day.

Students in years 4 to 6 took inspiration from the professional rugby union player and high performance manager at The University of Sydney’s Sport and Fitness services as she spoke to the event’s theme of equality and left advice for success in sport and life beyond.

Chancellor played four international test matches with the Rugby 7s in 2019 and captained the Australian team at the World University Games in Wales in 2016. She has also completed an education degree with first class honours, and told students a positive attitude and dedication were key to personal growth in and out of the sporting arena.

Emily said that skill can take you very far but that it was hard work that could take you all the way, which I found inspiring.

– Charlette Zin-Daniels

“Emily said that we need to work hard, and definitely to remember that if you don’t succeed on the first try, to try again,” said Year 6 student Cindy Pan.

Cindy competes in gymnastics, cross country and athletics, and said her school gave students lots of opportunities to try different sports.

“I think it’s good for everybody to have an opportunity in sport so that we can stay healthy and fit,” she said.

Classmate Charrlette Zin-Daniels said she saw the similarities between the growth mindset she and her peers apply to their school work – being an active learner, self-motivated and a risk taker – and Chancellor’s advice.

“Emily said that skill can take you very far but that it was hard work that could take you all the way, which I found very inspiring,” said Charlette, who has represented her …

April 20, 2020|
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Brigidine breakfast inspires gratitude for education

An uplifting talk from Kenyan education activist Kakenya Ntaiya provided food for thought and reason for gratitude at Brigidine College Randwick’s breakfast to celebrate International Women’s Day.

Close to 1,000 students and significant women in their lives, including their mothers and grandmothers, attended the event.

Dr Ntaiya spoke about how she negotiated a return to school with her father after undergoing female genital mutilation (FGM) in preparation for marriage in her early teen years, completed a PhD in education in the United States, and founded organisation Kakenya’s Dream to help educate and empower girls in her home country.

Year 12 students Ella Rigg and Rachel George were among the student leaders who organised the breakfast in line with the 2020 International Women’s Day theme ‘each for equal’.

They also sold beaded bracelets made by Kenyan women to support the projects founded by Kakenya that aim to abolish traditional practices like FGM, which affects up to 80 per cent of girls in Kenyan villages, and give them access to further education.

“The bracelets are also a reminder across the school that we should not take our education for granted and should strive for greatness and dream big,” said Ella, who migrated from South Africa to Australia at age 7.

“What Kakenya has done for the whole Brigidine community is inspire us. We’re hoping to become a sister school to the school in Kenya, do some exchanges and connect more. This will give the girls in Kenya opportunities to come here and see a different society.”

The bracelets are a reminder … that we should not take our education for granted.

– Ella Rigg

Rachel said though education and work were the main areas inequality was still visible between men and women and women in different parts of the world, Kakenya’s talk …

April 20, 2020|
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Reportable Conduct Policy

Type: Policy
Classification: Operational
Policy Number: SCS2026020
Released: 29 June 2026
Rescinds/Replaces: SCS2023024

1.1 Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding child abuse, neglect, and exploitation, fostering a culture where child safety is a paramount, shared responsibility. Grounded in Catholic faith values, SCS prioritises a physically, emotionally, and culturally safe environment through rigorous mandatory training for all staff and volunteers. This commitment is supported through compliance with the Children’s Guardian Act 2019 (NSW), the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards and the Office of the Children’s Guardian’s (OCG’s) NSW Child Safe Standards, ensuring that complaints and allegations of child abuse are responded to through clear, child‐focused processes that prioritise the safety, wellbeing and voice of children and young people.

1.2 The purpose of this policy is to establish the mandatory process that SCS staff must comply with in accordance with the requirements of the NSW Children’s Guardian’s Act 2019 (‘the Act’) in relation to reportable conduct. Information for students, parents and carers about making a complaint can be found in the Resolution of Complaints Policy.

2.1 This policy applies to all employees or workers within SCS including volunteers and contractors with child-related roles.

3.1 SCS is responsible and accountable for promoting a culture in which all employees uphold their duty of care to children and young people. SCS employees must:

3.1.1 maintain professional boundaries with students,

3.1.2 adhere to child-safe practices,

3.1.3 understand and comply with their reporting obligations, and

3.1.4 maintain practices in line with the NSW and Catholic Child Safe Standards.

3.2 SCS achieves this by ensuring that:

3.2.1 employees receive training regarding the reportable conduct scheme and SCS’ obligations to address allegations against staff,

3.2.2 employees are provided with clear instructions to follow when allegations are made, and

3.2.3 opportunities to prevent harm to children and promote safety and wellbeing are identified at an individual …

December 17, 2019|
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St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School at Mortlake opens

In 2017, St Patrick’s Mortlake opened. It is located in the heart of the Mortlake community and has rekindled the area’s traditions of Catholic education since 1895. The school will grow to offer a complete Kindergarten to Year 6 education in subsequent years. The vision for St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School is to provide a warm and welcoming environment that will inspire students to excel and make a positive difference in their world. Read More

August 25, 2017|
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St Anthony of Padua Catholic College opens at Austral

St Anthony’s parish officially opened in 1965. With Fr Joe Weaver as parish priest, local families began connecting to create a strong Catholic faith community. Today, Fr Robert (Bob) Hayes is the current parish priest, and is excited to be a part of a distinctive 21st century College. St Anthony of Padua Catholic College Austral opened in 2017 with enrolments of 42 children in Kindergarten. Since then, there have been further enrolments with a goal to cater for students from preschool through to Year 12. Read More

March 6, 2017|
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Eileen O’Connor Catholic College Lewisham opens. It is the first SCS College dedicated to the education of students with moderate disabilities or diverse learning needs

The Eileen O’Connor Catholic College offers a Catholic education for students with a moderate intellectual disability and other complex learning needs. Named after the co-founder of the Society of Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor, the College is set to provide a complete education for students with special needs from Kindergarten to Year 12. Read More

August 5, 2016|
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Archbishop Anthony Fisher appointed Archbishop of Sydney

Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, was born in Sydney on 10 March 1960. In 1985, Archbishop Fisher entered the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) and studied for priesthood in Melbourne. Archbishop Fisher made his perpetual vows for the Dominicans on 18 February 1987, and was ordained a priest at Holy Name Parish, Wahroonga, on 14 September 1991. On 16 July 2003, Pope John Paul II appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, and he was ordained a Bishop on 3 September 2003. On 18 September 2014, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Anthony the ninth Archbishop of Sydney. Read More

September 18, 2014|
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Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College Burwood opens, the first SCS school devoted to Vocational Education

Before Southern Cross Burwood opened, a previous school was established in 1909. The school closed down in 2010. In 2008, the Sydney Catholic Schools were successful in receiving The Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) funding. With this funding, the first round of Trade Training Centres (TTC) in schools came about, starting with a vocationally focused Senior Secondary College at Burwood.

With the appointment of its inaugural principal, Mr Patrick O’Reilly (2010–2019) Southern Cross Catholic College was founded in 2010 for this purpose. In 2021, the school changed its name to Southern Cross Catholic College to encompass the performing arts specialist stream.

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January 25, 2010|
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Christian Brothers’ College Burwood closes

The school closed in 2010, its centenary year. The school was converted to a Year 11 and 12 school called Southern Cross Vocational Catholic College for students to combine studies for senior school qualifications with higher level national qualifications at Certificate II and III level.

April 25, 2009|
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Clancy Catholic College West Hoxton founded

Clancy Catholic College opened on 31 January 2006. The school was named in 2005 after Archbishop Cardinal Edward Clancy, which the school still honours today. Cardinal Clancy was on site to ring the first bell at 8.30am and usher in the school’s first intake of students. The student population is now more than 1200 and approximately 130 staff.

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January 31, 2006|
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St Anne’s Primary Bondi Beach and St Patrick’s Primary Bondi combine to form Galilee Catholic Primary School Bondi

Galilee Catholic Primary School was formed by the amalgamation of St Anne’s, Bondi Beach and St Patrick’s, Bondi. During 2001, it was decided from the beginning of 2002, St Anne’s School would amalgamate with St Patrick’s to become St Patrick’s and St Anne’s Primary School, Bondi Beach. Archbishop George Pell gave approval for the new school to be named Galilee Catholic Primary School. On 20 October 2002, the new school and refurbished facilities were blessed and opened by Archbishop George Pell. Today the school still operates as a boys and girls primary school for Kindergarten to Year 6. Read More

May 25, 2002|
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St Christopher’s Catholic Primary School Holsworthy founded

St Christopher’s Holsworthy opened on 4 February 2002. Mrs Maureen Higgs was appointed founding principal from the beginning of Term 4, 2001 in order for final preparations to be made for the school’s opening in 2002. When the school first opened there were 54 pupils in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2. Today, the school still operates as a primary school for boys and girls from Kindergarten to Year 6. Read More

February 4, 2002|
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Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School Carnes Hill founded

On the feast of the Annunciation, 25 March 2001, Holy Spirit Parish was created and Fr Meagher appointed parish priest. On Wednesday 30 January 2002, Holy Spirit Primary School opened in demountable classrooms on a temporary site at Main Street, Carnes Hill, leased from Liverpool Council. The opening enrolment was 42 boys and girls: a Kindergarten class of 25, a composite Kindergarten/Year 1/Year 2 class of 17 children and 5 staff members. Today, over 46 cultural groups make up the mosaic of our school community, with the majority of students and families from a language background other than English.

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January 30, 2002|
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Archbishop George Cardinal Pell appointed Archbishop of Sydney

Cardinal George Pell was born in Ballarat, on 8 June 1941. He was ordained a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Ballarat by Cardinal Agagianian in St Peter’s Basilica, Rome, on 16 December 1966. On 26 March 2001, Pope John Paul II appointed Cardinal Pell the eighth Metropolitan Archbishop of Sydney. He was installed as Archbishop at St Mary’s Cathedral on 10 May 2001. Read More

May 10, 2001|
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Good Samaritan Catholic College Hinchinbrook founded

Good Samaritan Catholic College was established in 1999 as a co-educational college and began with 99 Year 7 students. The college was officially Blessed and Opened on Sunday, 12 September 1999 by Bishop David Cremin. The College population is made up of many different backgrounds and is still a college for Years 7–12 students. Read More

September 12, 1999|
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St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School Prestons founded

Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School Prestons was founded in 1999 to serve the parish of St Francis Xavier’s Lurnea. The school opened in February 1999. The school was blessed and opened by Bishop David Cremin on 11 March 1999. From small beginnings with just 48 students, 5 staff members and temporary classrooms, the school has continued to grow and develop into a welcoming and inclusive learning environment. The school today has over 600 students and 50 staff members and has contemporary learning spaces that cater to the unique passions and gifts of every child. Read More

March 11, 1999|
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MacKillop Girls High and St John’s College combine to form Holy Spirit Catholic College Lakemba

Holy Spirit College, Lakemba was founded in 1999 through the amalgamation of two adjacent Years 7–10 regional schools, MacKillop Girls’ High and St John’s College, Lakemba. St John’s College had been founded by the De La Salle Brothers in 1954, while MacKillop Girls’ had been founded and run by the Sisters of St Joseph since 1966. The new college was co-educational, with Years 7–11 being enrolled in 1999 and the first Year 12 classes being held in 2000. The SACS Board made the decision to amalgamate the two schools after careful consultation with parents in the area. The board pointed out that the pattern of high school enrolment had changed since the 1960’s, and that increasingly parents expressed their wish to have a continuous Years 7–12 education at their regional secondary Catholic High School. Today, the school still runs as a boys and girls school for Years 7–12. Read More

May 25, 1998|
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Good Shepherd Catholic Primary Hoxton Park founded

Good Shepherd parish was established in November 1994 to cater for the Catholic community of this developing area on the south-western border of the Archdiocese of Sydney. On 5 February 1997, Good Shepherd welcomed its first 54 students and their first 3 teachers. Since then, the school has grown to be a place where each person is nurtured to realise their full potential as members of the Good Shepherd community. Read More

February 5, 1997|
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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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PO Box 20277
World Square NSW 2002

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