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Sydney Catholic Schools

Getting ready to return to school

Held on COVID ‘Freedom Day’, Sydney Catholic Schools’ latest Family Forum focused on how Sydney Catholic schools are supporting our students’ transition back to school during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Titled The Road Back to Face-to-Face Learning, more than 2,000 people tuned in to Sydney Catholic Schools’ third live, online Family Forum.

“We can’t wait to have our students back in the classroom” – Executive Director, Tony Farley

Hosted by Sydney Catholic Schools’ Executive Director, Tony Farley, and featuring Dr Jacqueline Frost, Chief of Staff, and Dr Kate O’Brien, Director of Education and Research, Kevin Carragher, Director of Systems Performance, and four Principals, the Family Forum centred on four key areas of the transition.

Sydney Catholic Schools' Term 4 online Family Forum The Term 4 online Family Forum in progress.

These were: environmental, including managing current COVID-19 restrictions; academic; social; and family.

There was a Primary and a Secondary session.

THE ROAD BACK TO FACE-TO-FACE LEARNING

“We know that our family community has concerns about the changes, so we needed to offer our families the opportunity to hear from Sydney Catholic Schools and its many experts on what they can do to support their children during the transition,” Mr Farley said.

During the forum Principals Linda McFadden (St Ambrose Catholic Primary School Concord West), Peter Cranney (St Declan’s Catholic Primary School Penshurst), James Corcoran (Good Samaritan Catholic College Hinchinbrook) and Melinda Melham (Assistant Principal of Mount Saint Joseph Catholic College Milperra and newly appointed principal of Freeman Catholic College Bonnyrigg Heights for 2022) talked about the importance of managing the social and emotional and academic needs of Sydney Catholic Schools’ students.

The forum outlined the steps the schools are taking to socially reintegrate students into the school community …

October 15, 2021|
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Register NOW: Term 4 Family Forum

As we begin transitioning back to the classroom this term, Sydney Catholic Schools is pleased to be shortly holding its next Family Forum, focusing on The Road Back to Face-to-Face Learning.

“We can’t wait to have our students back in the classroom, but we understand there will be some concerns and uncertainty about the transition back to face-to-face learning amongst some of our students and families,” our Executive Director, Tony Farley, said.

“We want to do everything we can to support our students through this period and ensure that the road back to face-to-face learning puts our students’ needs at the centre” – Tony Farley

“All our schools are actively working on plans to support our students’ academic, social and emotional transition and to ensure the return to school is a safe and positive experience for all,” Mr Farley said.

A screenshot of Sydney Catholic Schools' wellbeing focused Family Forum Sydney Catholic Schools’ second Family Forum focused on student wellbeing and mental health.

The Road Back

Hosted by our Executive Director, Tony Farley, the Forum on Monday, 11 October will cover what to expect during the back-to-school transition and how you can best support your child’s learning and wellbeing through this period and beyond.

There will be two sessions on the night: a Primary session at 5:30pm, and a Secondary session at 6:30pm.

“The education of our children is a partnership and these Forums are just one of the ways we want to engage our community of parents and carers so we can work together to support our children at school and at home,” Mr Farley said.

“As with the previous Forums, during this 30-minute session you will have the opportunity to guide the conversation through our live polling questions. We hope you will tune in!” REGISTER NOW

In …

September 28, 2021|
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Watch NOW: Online Family Forum

In case you missed it, you can tune in to our Family Forum right here:

Sydney Catholic Schools Second Family Forum on wellbeing Dr Jacqueline Frost and Mr Tony Farley at Sydney Catholic Schools’ second Family Forum

Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) hosted its second, live and online Family Forum for parents, carers and staff with more than 1000 people joining to hear about Student Wellbeing.

Hosted by Executive Director, Tony Farley and featuring Dr Jacqueline Frost, Chief of Staff, and Dr Kate O’Brien, Director of Education and Research, the Family Forum centred on the principles and programs being run by SCS to ensure that students feel physically, emotionally, and spiritually secure.

According to SCS Executive Director, Tony Farley: “For us, it’s a simple philosophy.  Once we get well-being right, learning happens.

“As our students move through 13 years of schooling – life necessarily involves challenges and setbacks.  These are unavoidable but learning how to effectively manage these difficult life experiences is resilience and helping to develop resilience in our students is an essential component of the education we offer,” he said.

The Family Forum covered topics including the importance of belonging, the role of wellbeing in the classroom, respectful relationships, managing behaviour and the role of diversity and inclusion in students feeling safe and respected. The session also discussed mental health, anti-bullying, and positive behaviour strategies.

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

Dr Kate O'Brien at Sydney Catholic Schools' second Family Forum Dr Kate O’Brien at Sydney Catholic Schools’ second Family Forum

“The feedback from everyone who participated has been great and we know that parents are eager to learn as much as they can to support the wellbeing of their children.  It’s tough right now …

August 24, 2021|
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Register NOW: Term 3 Family Forum

Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) is proud to announce that its second Family Forum will be focusing on student wellbeing and mental health.

“Based on feedback from our staff and parents during our first Parent Forum in Term 2 and subsequent Facebook Live COVID-19 Q&A sessions, Sydney Catholic Schools is pleased to host a webinar outlining the programs and resources designed to help your child thrive,” our Executive Director, Tony Farley, said.

Jacqueline Frost and Tony Farley present at Sydney Catholic Schools' First Family Forum Jacqueline Frost and Tony Farley presenting at Sydney Catholic Schools’ first Family Forum.

To be hosted by Mr Farley, SCS’ Chief of Staff, Dr Jacqueline Frost, along with other SCS experts, this exciting 30-minute online event will be held on Monday August 23 from 6.30pm.

“We understand student wellbeing is top-of-mind for parents and our school communities, particularly as we navigate through these difficult times,” Mr Farley said.

“During this 30-minute session you will have the opportunity to guide the conversation through our live polling questions. We hope you will tune in!” REGISTER NOW

In case you are unable to join the online event, be sure to register above and you will receive a recording of the proceedings post event.

About the Family Forums

SCS kicked off its first, live and online Family Forum for parents, carers, and staff in Term 2, 2021, with more than 2500 people registering for this event.

These Family Forums will be run every term, providing an overview of the programs being offered by SCS to deliver on its vision, and commitment to build thriving Catholic communities through excellence in teaching and learning.

“Family Forums are designed so that everyone can learn more about how we are equipping our students with the skills, knowledge and opportunities they need to become …

July 29, 2021|
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Sydney Catholic Schools hosts its first Family Forum

Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) has kicked off its first, live and online Family Forum for parents, carers, and staff with more than 2500 people registering for the event.   

Titled Part of Something Bigger, the Family Forum brought together families and staff, from across the 150 primary and secondary SCS schools, and showcased what SCS is doing to build collaborative networks of excellence. 

Hosted by Executive Director, Tony Farley and Chief of Staff, Dr Jacqueline Frost, the Family Forum centred on the programs that demonstrate how SCS students can benefit from the opportunities of being part of a bigger network of schools.

Jacqueline Frost and Tony Farley present at Sydney Catholic Schools' First Family Forum Jacqueline Frost and Tony Farley present at Sydney Catholic Schools’ First Family Forum

The topics were wide-ranging and included discussions on teaching and learning, enhanced curriculum (performing arts, sport, and languages), classroom design and the importance of faith-based work in the community. 

Throughout the interactive forum the audience was invited to vote for topics they wanted the hosts to expand on further and these were: the integration of literacy and numeracy; teaching standards; student wellbeing; entrepreneurship; and SCS’s involvement in community social justice programs.

“It’s great to see how many families are interested in hearing more about what’s happening in our schools and the programs we are running to provide our students with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to become active global citizens,” said SCS’ Executive Director, Tony Farley.

“Creating opportunities to engage directly and hear from our parent community is vitally important, and through our first Family Forum, using digital technology, we were able to reach into the homes of students’ families.

“The feedback from everyone who participated has been overwhelmingly positive.  Each term, …

May 26, 2021|
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Be Part of Something Bigger: Join our first Family Forum

Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) has announced its first Family Forum.

Titled Part of Something Bigger, this exciting 40-minute online event will be held on Tuesday 25 May from 7pm. Tony-Farley-Executive-Director-Sydney-Catholic-Schools-end-of-term-2-message

SCS’ new Family Forums will be run every term, providing an overview of the programs being offered by SCS to deliver on its vision, and commitment to build thriving Catholic communities through excellence in teaching and learning.

“We know that families of our students, and the wider community, are eager to know more about the opportunities that are available to their children,” said SCS’ Executive Director, Tony Farley (pictured).

“Family Forums are designed so that everyone can learn more about how we are equipping our students with the skills, knowledge and opportunities they need to become active, global citizens.”

Register now

In case you are unable to join the online event, be sure to register above and you will receive a recording of the proceedings post event.

May 12, 2021|
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