COVID-19 | Sydney Catholic Schools

Watch NOW: COVID, our schools and what to expect in 2022

More than 3,000 families and 1,000 staff logged on on Tuesday night to hear about COVID-19, our schools and what to expect in 2022.

In case you missed our latest online forum, you can still watch it via the live link below.

“As information becomes available and the community situation evolves, our school leaders, our teachers and our staff will be walking alongside every member of our community, responding to the challenges of living and learning in the time of COVID” – Executive Director, Tony Farley

COVID, our schools and what to expect in 2022

Everyone here at Sydney Catholic Schools can’t wait to welcome back our 73,000 students and more than 10,000 staff.

As part of this welcome, we kicked off the 2022 school calendar with two online interactive forums, for all our families and employees.

Titled ‘What to Expect in 2022’, both events were hosted by the Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools, Tony Farley, and our Chief of Staff, Dr Jacqueline Frost.

Throughout the interactive forum, the audience was invited to vote for topics they wanted the hosts to expand on further.

“These forums are just one way that Sydney Catholic Schools provides our communities with the best and most up-to-date information about the return to school, and the plans that every one of our schools must maintain to ensure safe and thriving school communities,” Mr Farley said.

During the pandemic, Dr Frost has acted as as our school’s chief liaison and representative with public health authorities and other regulators and is widely acknowledged as a leading expert in the operational management of COVID-19 within schools and education systems.

So, it was with authority and experience that Dr Frost and Mr Farley outlined key details around what we can all expect as our students and staff return to our 150 schools next …

Isabell PetrinicJanuary 27, 2022|

‎Vaccination hubs now open!

Sydney Catholic Schools’ COVID-19 vaccination hubs are now open and taking bookings!

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 to 11 year-olds.

Click here for more information, or to make a booking to receive the first dose before school goes back .

There are plenty of appointments still available this Thursday (20 January) and Friday (21 January).

Isabell PetrinicJanuary 19, 2022|

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.

FrankJanuary 19, 2022|

Sydney Catholic Schools establishes two vaccination hubs

Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) has partnered with South East Sydney Local Health District to establish vaccination hubs for 5-11 year-olds at two of its schools: Marcellin College Randwick and St Patrick’s College Sutherland.

The Marcellin College hub is located in the Marist Centre (entrance off Avoca Street, Randwick, next to Royal Randwick Shopping Centre) while the St Patrick’s College Sutherland hub is located in Rice Hall (entrance off President Avenue, Sutherland).

These pop up clinics have been established to provide a known and comfortable place within our system of schools for our youngest students to be vaccinated.

Bookings are available through NSW Health from 18-21 January and the clinic will be set up again eight weeks after the first appointment so that the children can receive their second dose.

Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools, Mr Tony Farley, said “I hope that setting up these clinics will give parents the comfort and confidence of a familiar location and community approach to access vaccination.”

“Our schools are places of safety and certainty and the close collaboration between our staff, parents and students is the key to meeting and overcoming any challenges in the future,” Mr Farley added.

If you would like to take the opportunity to have your child vaccinated before they return to school, you can book an appointment using the links or QR codes below.

Location	Clinic name (as appears on booking system)	URL	QR Code
Marcellin College Randwick (Marist Centre, entrance off Avoca St, Randwick, next to Royal Randwick Shopping Centre)	St George Hospital @ Marcellin College – KIDS Pfizer	Book now
St Patrick’s College Sutherland (Rice Hall, entrance off President …

domenictrimboli01January 13, 2022|

‘Your eyes will go square’ rings true in lockdown

The cliche, ‘your eyes will go square’ rings true in lockdown. So writes winner of the 2021 UNSW Bragg Student Prize for Science Writing winner, St John Bosco student Emilia Danne.

In her response to the 2021 theme The STEM in Everyday Life, Year 8 student Emilia explores how online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting our health.

“I feel extremely humbled to have won the UNSW Bragg Science Writing competition,” Emilia said.

“I was ecstatic when I found out I was chosen from all of the incredible entries from across Australia.

“We rely heavily on our devices every day, but not everyone knows about what blue light is and what it does.

“I hope that my essay can shine the light on the importance of sleep and how our devices are affecting this.”

Read Emilia’s full essay below.

THE DARK SIDE OF BLUE LIGHT

Online learning.

There are two words that strike fear into the lives of parents and caregivers, making them stop dead in their tracks. These two simple words paint a clear picture of utter chaos – online learning.

Sugar-powered siblings and printer problems make home the least ideal place for education. With so much going on in such a small, enclosed domain, it’s easy to forget for how long someone has been staring at a screen.

I looked at my average screen time a few weeks ago, only to find that I was at a new, all-time high of eight hours!

Along with millions of other high school children, I’m now spending as much time on a screen as I am sleeping.

The cliche, ‘your eyes will go square’ rings true in lockdown.

Growing up surrounded by technology has allowed the current generation to take full …

jaderamirezsydcatholiceduauOctober 29, 2021|

Remote learning in Kindergarten

The kindergarten cohort at St Anthony of Padua Catholic Primary School Austral had just got settled into their ‘big school’ routines when the latest COVID-19 lockdown came into effect.

School principal, Lea De Angelis, acknowledged it’s been tough for the school’s youngest group moving to remote learning when they are just barely used to being in a classroom.

She said staff at St Anthony have worked hard to ensure the transition has been as smooth as possible for everyone.

“Remote learning is difficult for everyone, especially for Kindergarten students and their families who had just fully settled into the routines of school before everything changed,” Ms De Angelis said.

“We know that more than anything, small children miss the social interactions they have with their friends and teachers each day” – Principal Lea De Angelis

Ms De Angelis said Seesaw was the main tool used for remote learning in Kindergarten, “as students are well versed in using the platform during normal class time.”

“Students can post their responses to tasks with teachers providing feedback everyday,” she said.

“Zoom is used a few times each week in order to allow students to interact with each other and with their teachers.”

Ms De Angelis thanked and praised all her parents for handling the challenges of homeschooling “wonderfully.”

“We understand that many parents are also working from home while supervising remote learning,” Ms De Angelis said.

“We emphasise the importance of wellbeing – taking regular breaks and only completing the tasks which are manageable for both students and parents” – Ms De Angelis

About St Anthony of Padua Catholic College Austral

Writing over zoom

St Anthony of Padua Catholic College Austral is the only comprehensive Preschool to …

AdminSeptember 16, 2021|

‘Be a light in lockdown’: Tips for staying connected

From Lego projects to recipe sharing, Sydney Catholic Schools’ Family Educators are leading the charge to help families stay connected to their school, parish and neighbourhood communities this lockdown.

“Now, more than ever, while we are physically separated, we need to feel connected,” says Sydney Catholic Schools’ Education Officer: Church Engagement, Mouna Roche, a sentiment that’s echoed by her colleagues, Elsa Manu and Bernadette Bridle.

Mrs Roche said the Family Educators’ ‘Be a light in lockdown’ initiative encourages Sydney Catholic Schools’ students, along with their families, to complete a series of activities that aim to create a sense of social connection during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The initiative is based on the gospel verse Mathew 15:6: “Let your light shine.”

“This is an opportunity to be a light for others in simple ways” – Elsa Manu

OUR FAMILY EDUCATORS

Family Educators act as liaisons between their appointed Sydney Catholic school and Parish communities, working on and creating invitational events, information sessions and activities that aim to:

connect families with the religious life of the school and the parish;
provide further support to families in the development of their child – spiritually, socially and educationally;
promote Catholic mission and identity;
promote a welcoming, vibrant faith community.

FINDING THE LIGHT IN DARK TIMES

Mrs Roche said the pastoral care aspect of the Family Educator’s role was more important now than ever, as people felt the physical, mental and financial effects of isolation.

“We’re so conscious of the fact that so many of our school communities are hurting, either being unwell with COVID-19, or are struggling financially or with the pressure of working and learning from home,” Mrs Roche said.

“Then there are those families who’ve never had to worry about money and now do because both parents have been …

Isabell PetrinicJuly 29, 2021|

Watch NOW: Facebook COVID-19 Q&A

Sydney Catholic Schools is hosting COVID-19 Q&A Facebook Live sessions for Kindy to Year 2 parents and Year 12 parents and students tonight, on Friday 23 July.

Hosted by our Executive Director, Tony Farley, and our Chief of Staff, Dr Jacqueline Frost, the sessions will begin at:

5pm-5.30pm: We are holding our Kindy to Year 2 Event to connect with our Kindy through to Year 2 parents about support being offered during lockdown;
6pm-6.30pm: We are holding our Year 12 Event, for our Year 12 parents and students, to provide up to the minute support, guidance and reassurance.

You can tune in live right here, or on our official Facebook page.

—

UPDATE

The Live Q&A for Kindergarten to Year 2 has now ended, but you can still watch it below:

The Live Q&A for Year 12 has now ended, but you can still watch it below:

Isabell PetrinicJuly 23, 2021|

Save the date: More COVID-19 Q&A Facebook Live sessions coming

Sydney Catholic Schools is hosting two more live COVID-19 Q&A sessions on Facebook on Friday 23 July, for our Kindergarten to Year 2 parents and Year 12 parents and students.

“The turnout to our first interactive Facebook Q&A on 16 July was great,” Sydney Catholic Schools’ Executive Director, Tony Farley, said.

“During the event, many of our parents asked if we could conduct specific Facebook Live events.

“In particular, our Year 12 parents and students and our Kindy to Year 2 parents face unique challenges in the remote learning landscape and they’re keen to hear more. So, we’ve decided to host two focused Facebook Live events.”

Dr Jacqueline Frost and Tony Farley interacting with parents during a recent Facebook Live.

Event details

Based on feedback from you, Sydney Catholic Schools is pleased to host two focused Facebook Live COVID-19 events this Friday 23 July:

5pm-5.30pm: We are holding our Kindy to Year 2 Event, to connect with our Kindy through to Year 2 parents about support being offered during lockdown
6pm-6.30pm: We are holding our Year 12 Event, for our Year 12 parents and students, to provide up to the minute support, guidance and reassurance.

Hosted by our Executive Director and Chief of Staff, Dr Jacqueline Frost, and joined by Sydney Catholic Schools’ experts, the Live Facebook event will be interactive.

You can also ask questions in advance by posting comments into the comments section of each event on Sydney Catholic Schools’ Facebook page.

Don’t forget to follow the Facebook page to ensure you can be part of the conversation on the night! Sydney …

Isabell PetrinicJuly 21, 2021|

Letters to a nameless friend

St Charles students wrote over 500 letters to Calvary residents.

A student at St Charles Primary School Ryde has struck up a beautiful friendship with a retired priest after writing to him as part of a school outreach project during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Year 3 student Francis’ letter was one of nearly 500 letters and cards St Charles students wrote to residents of Calvary Ryde Retirement Community during the last weeks of Term 3.

Many residents had had little to no contact with anyone during isolation, so they were touched to receive these messages of support which were all addressed “Dear Friend.”

Lorraine Blacklock, Team Leader for Leisure and Lifestyle at the retirement community, said the residents were delighted to read the stories and do the puzzles provided by the children.

They spoke of the joy of parenting and the ways children enrich people’s lives.

Emma and Francis hold up letters from Fr Bernie.

Francis – along with Year 1 student Emma – were thrilled to get a warm and appreciative reply from Father Bernie Maxwell, a retired priest now living at Calvary.

Fr Bernie told Ms Blacklock he appreciated the thoughtful connection the letter created with “a young person who cared for an elderly person.”

Principal of St Charles, Peter Watkins, said hearing what Fr Bernie said brought huge smiles to Francis and Emma’s faces.

Encouraged by Fr Bernie’s feedback Francis immediately said he would write to Fr Bernie again.

But he then later decided writing wasn’t enough and insisted that his mum, Kaye, take him to visit Fr Bernie instead.

The pen pals have since met and, we’re happy …

AdminNovember 13, 2020|

Shake and shimmy

More than 40 Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) have jumped on board a new craze designed to get active while having fun.

The brains behind the fun ‘40-Second Challenge’ is Peta Haynes, the sports coordinator at St Christopher’s Catholic Primary School Panania.

She said she and her colleagues, Peter McIntosh and Liz Reakes, designed the challenge during the COVID-19 lockdown to get students moving and interacting – and now 41 SCS schools are taking part!

“Sydney Catholic Schools Sport was looking for a way that they could get kids participating in a challenge,” Ms Haynes said. “The challenge is open to those schools that would like to compete with one another in a fun and safe way during the coronavirus.”

The 40-second challenge is made up of weekly physical activities, and the school keeps score of students’ performance. Videoing yourself completing challenges is entirely optional.

The challenge groups students in year groups – Kindergarten to Year 2, Years 3 to 4 and Years 5 to 6 – with ranging difficulty levels.

Schools’ challenge

Ms Haynes and her colleagues felt it was important other schools got in on the fun as well, which is how the inter-school challenge was born.

“The inter-school challenge allows schools to challenge each other in a safe and friendly COVID-free environment,” she said, adding the activities will go a long way to building school morale and boosting student wellbeing during this tough time.

“This challenge is two-fold, in that it allows students to participate in school within stages and or classes, as well as the teachers challenging each other within their own school,” Ms Haynes said.

“The activities cover a variety of fundamental movement skills and cater to all levels of ability.”

The ‘Shake and Shimmy’ challenge has been the students’ favourite. It involves shaking ping pong balls out of a tissue box by shaking …

Isabell PetrinicOctober 1, 2020|

Classroom comes to parents

To reduce separation anxiety caused by parents being unable to enter school grounds due to COVID-19, this school created a way to bring the classroom outside the school gates.

BenjaminSeptember 9, 2020|

Blessed are the Zoomers

The coronavirus has seen a growing number of lapsed, irregular and curious churchgoers join a congregation using online technology.

By dipping their toes in digital worship, people can enter a church discretely before making a commitment with their feet, said Sydney Catholic Schools ’ chaplain, Father Gary Perritt.

“It’s a big thing if you haven’t been to Church for two, five, 20 years,” Fr Gary said.

“For some people to physically step through the door and start going to Mass again may be frightening. They may not have a sense of what to do, or may feel they will be judged.”

Fr Gary said online Masses have also opened up the doors of churches to people who are sick, aged, and young families with children who aren’t always able to attend for practical reasons, for example their child is sleeping.

“The Archbishop’s Easter Sunday ceremony at St Mary’s Cathedral was watched by over a million people – the Cathedral, if it’s full, holds less than a thousand,” Fr Gary said.

“Zoom is a great innovation and a great support for priests working in these strange times” – Father Gary Perritt

He is hopeful that now churches in the Archdiocese of Sydney have re-opened, more parishioners than ever will attend Masses physically as well. This includes those who have had their curiosity piqued during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It calls on the regulars to welcome and go out of their way to include them. To speak to them, to say ‘Hello, I’ve not seen you here before’,” he gently reminded. “Your welcome can do wonders for the practising of their faith,” Fr Gary said.

Sydney Catholic Schools’ chaplain Father Gary Perritt. Photo: Kitty Beale

Currently churches may have up to 50 …

Isabell PetrinicJune 26, 2020|

Create the Perfect Home Study Schedule

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Remote Learning

Working to an hourly clock may seem like the ‘right’ thing to do, but this approach is putting unnecessary pressure on many at-home parents of primary schoolers.

That is because hourly time frames are more suited to a classroom, according to Dr Kate O’Brien, the Director of Education and Research at Sydney Catholic Schools.

“In primary school, much of the learning is around collaboration and working with others, so there’s a lot of development of oral language skills, social skills and organisational processes,” Dr O’Brien explained.

At home, families are doing a range of things at the same time as learning is happening, so there isn’t that same intense focus on language and social aspects, like in school, she said.

“A school may have a literacy session for an hour a day that explores the skills of the English curriculum,” Dr O’Brien said. In the home, “without the discussion in classroom learning”, a child could do the same in about 20 minutes, she said.

“This is a unique time and an opportunity to build character and the dispositions of learning, such as problem solving, persistence, speaking with accuracy and precision” – Dr Kate O’Brien

Dr O’Brien believes a holistic approach to learning is better suited to primary school students.

She said student activities should include building relationships in the home, communication tasks, and exploring the world around them.

“Cooking a cake, by going through what you need to measure to cook that cake,” suggests Dr O’Brien.

“Write down a procedure for the process or make a video of how to bake, then write about the experience.

“Go for a walk and explore the local environment. Talk along the way, share stories of your childhood and create memories for the future.

“Use the time to create positive memories for the future and …

Isabell PetrinicApril 30, 2020|

Watch NOW: COVID, our schools and what to expect in 2022

COVID, our schools and what to expect in 2022

‎Vaccination hubs now open!

What to expect at our children’s vaccination hubs!

Sydney Catholic Schools establishes two vaccination hubs

‘Your eyes will go square’ rings true in lockdown

THE DARK SIDE OF BLUE LIGHT

Remote learning in Kindergarten

‘Be a light in lockdown’: Tips for staying connected

OUR FAMILY EDUCATORS

FINDING THE LIGHT IN DARK TIMES

Watch NOW: Facebook COVID-19 Q&A

Save the date: More COVID-19 Q&A Facebook Live sessions coming

Event details

Letters to a nameless friend

Shake and shimmy

Schools’ challenge

Classroom comes to parents

Blessed are the Zoomers

Create the Perfect Home Study Schedule

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.

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