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Sydney Catholic Schools

Why choose a Catholic school

What does going to a Catholic school teach you? We asked Sydney Catholic Schools’ alumni Aidan Dunne and Tommy Francisco to share their insights. 

The former is a medical student, the latter is a folk-rap singer-cum-youth minister. For all that, they tell us they are travelling the same road when it comes to living out their faith.

AIDAN’S STORY

Marcellin College Randwick 2019 alumnus, Aidan Dunne, currently works at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney while studying nursing at the Australian Catholic University. 

Aidan Dunne with Sydney Catholic Schools' education officer Cheryl Fernandez Aidan Dunne with Sydney Catholic Schools’ education officer Cheryl Fernandez.

It’s where he met De La Salle College Ashfield alumnus, singer-songwriter Tommy Francisco, for the first time last year.

Aidan says his faith journey began at a Sydney Catholic Schools’ Evangelisation Day, which he attended in Year 9 “to get out of going to school for the day.” 

“I’ve always been a person that required basic proofs about the complexities of the universe,” Aidan told the latest cohort of SCS students at this year’s Evangelisation Day.

He explained to them what led to his deepening of faith. 

“One night, I was at a boxing class and I injured myself so I decided to leave early and go home,” Aidan began. 

“I was sitting and waiting for my mother to pick me up when I asked God to give me a sign.

“It was a still night and I decided to go for a quick run while I was waiting. 

“I got up and entered a dark and deserted alleyway and I said the only words I knew in the Bible from Psalm 23:4 and all of …

September 14, 2021|
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2021 Archbishop Award recipients

Established in 1999 by Edward Bede Cardinal Clancy the Archbishop’s awards are an annual recognition of some of the outstanding young men and women in Catholic Schools.

Below are the Sydney Catholic Schools’ recipients of the Archbishop of Sydney Awards for Student Excellence 2021.

Student photo Student details

Shanessa Mascarenhas All Saints Catholic College Casula Shanessa Mascarenhas
All Saints Catholic College Casula

Shanessa Mascarenhas

All Saints Catholic College Casula

Shanessa Mascarenhas is a committed Catholic, who actively practices her faith within the parish communities of All Saints, Liverpool, and St Francis Xavier, Lurnea. Shanessa has volunteered her time and service in various roles in these parishes, including singing in the choir, reading, helping with the All Saints Encounter Youth Group for students in Year Five and Six, as well as attending the Antioch Youth Group to nurture her own faith development. While at school, Shanessa has attended the ‘Be the Light’ Youth Ministry, a school-based youth ministry group, where she has engaged in some school-based social justice and community service initiatives, and prayer opportunities for her own faith development. She has also trained to become a Catechist, though COVID-19 has prevented active service in this role in the local public school. Shanessa’s strong faith and love of Christ is evident through her engagement in parish and school activities.

Christopher Hamilton Aquinas Catholic College Menai Christopher Hamilton Aquinas Catholic College Menai

Christopher Hamilton

Aquinas Catholic College Menai

Christopher Hamilton is an outstanding young man of faith and action who actively participates in the life and mission of his Parish of Holy Family, Menai and within the Aquinas community. As a committed parishioner, Christopher serves his parish through the preparation and delivery of …

September 3, 2021|
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Students come together to celebrate their faith

Close to 700 Sydney Catholic Schools’ (SCS) students explored their faith among peers at an Evangelisation Day hosted by St Ursula’s Catholic College Kingsgrove. 

Cheryl Fernandez and Aidan Dunne on stage at the Evangelsation day 2021 Cheryl Fernandez and Aidan Dunne on stage at the Evangelsation day 2021

Throughout the day, Year 9 and 10 students from 36 secondary schools were invited to reflect on the theme Made for More. They heard from guests, including alumni, whose lives had been transformed by faith.

Among them was former De La Salle College Ashfield student Tommy Francisco, who is now a musician and youth minister.  

Playing to sold out venues across Australia these days, he said he would remind his Year 10 self: “If you have a goal, don’t let it go. Don’t be scared to chase it.”

“Everyone said to me to have a back up plan, but that takes you away from your craft”  – Tommy Francisco

Marcellin College Randwick alumni, Aidan Dunne, told students he attended a faith formation day when he was in Year 10 “to get out of school.” Little did he know it would become a springboard for his faith journey.

Today Aidan is studying nursing at the Australian Catholic University. 

Tommy Francisco attends the Evangelsation day 2021 Tommy Francisco attends the Evangelisation day 2021

“I am a person that likes to research the hard facts about the complexities of the universe, but one night I asked God to give me a sign. And He did,” Aidan said. “It was during an evening boxing class where I had become injured and decided to go home early. 

June 11, 2021|
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Following St Joseph’s example

A powerful prayer life throughout 2020 led Berala parishioner Ivica Kovac to a unique new role as a Sydney Catholic primary schools’ Family Educator.

“Encouraged by two priests, I was praying to St Joseph; I wanted to do something more,” Mr Kovac, who comes from an equipment rental business background, said.

Sydney Catholic Schools has welcomed 16 new Family Educators Sydney Catholic Schools has welcomed 16 new Family Educators

Ironically, this was before Pope Francis had announced a Year of St Joseph (8 December 2020 to 8 December 2021) in honour of the 150th anniversary of Saint Joseph being named as patron of the Universal Church.

“St Joseph, such a humble, wise, loving man and a most powerful intercessor,” Mr Kovac said.

“He is the most wonderful role model for all boys and men of all ages with all his titles – my favourites are ‘Terror of Demons’ and ‘Patron of a Holy Death’ – and is so relevant and needed now in 2021.

“If we look at who was at his side when he died on earth, it was Jesus and Our Lady, Mary; just wow!”

“Family Educators of the future must be courageous to share the truth in love always, because only this can truly set us free. Love and truth are one, inseparable!”

As part of his new role as a Family Educator at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School Earlwood Mr Kovac will help connect families with the religious life of their school and Parish communities.

Asked how he hoped to do this, he said: “Being the Year of St Joseph, I hope to offer the community the wonderful opportunity to complete a 33-day consecration to St Joseph.”

“With each Wednesday being dedicated to St Joseph I hope and pray that we can …

February 5, 2021|
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Banding together through faith and music

Sydney Catholic Schools’ Youth Ministry Band is giving students like Marcus Edwards and Gala Alemany Traconis the rare chance to explore their faith through music.

Marcus and Gala, from De La Salle College Ashfield and Domremy College Five Dock respectively, said they both joined the band after learning about it from a friend.

The experience has been life-changing.

“It wasn’t until I joined the band that I actually realised how music can bring people together and help spread a message that can help and impact people positively,” said Gala, a self-taught musician who plays bass guitar, ukulele – and sings!

The Youth Ministry Band is an evangelical project of CaSPA, the performing arts program of Sydney Catholic Schools.

Gala Alemany Traconis in front of guitars Gala Alemany Traconis.

The seven-member band rehearses weekly, with year-long rehearsals normally culminating in the annual Lights of Christmas performance interspersed with Sydney Archdiocesan evangelisation events.

However this year, because of the COVID-19 crisis, the band is working on a digital showcase and online masterclasses instead.

Gala’s father, Ivan, and Marcus’ mother, Denise, had nothing but praise for the band. Mr Traconis said he has seen his daughter’s confidence, social skills and discipline levels increase since joining.

“I totally recommend the Youth Ministry Band; for the young ones to practice their skills in music, and be part of a great community” – Ivan Traconis

Ms Edwards agreed, “having mentors who are active in Catholic faith has had a positive influence on the students involved.”

Marcus said the band has helped him realise just how important God is in his life.

Gala said, “Music can create communities, break down barriers, and inspire like minded people to do the same in their own way.”

She said she loved how passionate all the band members are about their instruments and how “even when it …

December 16, 2020|
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Sydney Catholic Schools’ students perform an ‘Acknowledgement of Country’

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