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Sydney Catholic Schools

HSC 2023: Eight students place First in Course

Eight students from Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) have received First in Course honours in the 2023 Higher School Certificate (HSC). 

The students represent seven different schools from right across the Sydney Archdiocese and placed first in a diverse range of subjects, including four languages courses. 

Marist Catholic College Penshurst student Sylvia Veljancevski and La Salle Catholic College Bankstown student Ivona Ristevski placed equal first in Macedonian Continuers; Casimir Catholic College Marrickville student Nicole Joanna Tapang placed first in Filipino Continuers; and Marist Catholic College Penshurst student Paula Karoglan placed first in Croatian Continuers. 

SCS students topped both Studies of Religion courses, with Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich student Gabriella Michalopoulos placing first in Studies of Religion I and Brigidine College Randwick student Yasmeen Janschek placing first in Studies of Religion II. 

All Saints Catholic College Liverpool student Adam Schon also placed first in Information and Digital Technology Examination, while Good Samaritan Catholic College Hinchinbrook student Jaquelyn Loria placed first in Tourism, Travel and Events Examination. 

The eight students were among 128 students from 89 schools in the state who topped their HSC courses.  

The students were acknowledged in a ceremony on Wednesday morning at Western Sydney University in Parramatta by Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning, The Hon. Prue Car. 

Brigidine College Randwick student Yasmeen Janschek said she was pleasantly surprised after finding out she had placed first in Studies of Religion II. 

“I couldn’t believe it to be honest. I was very excited. I thought that I had done pretty well but I did not expect to get first at all,” she said. 

“It was all up to my teacher, Ms Wood, she’s just amazing. She took me through every part of the syllabus …

December 13, 2023|
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HSC 2022: Nine students place First in Course

Nine students from Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) have received First in Course honours in the 2022 HSC. 

In a feat that highlights SCS’s comprehensive curriculum, the nine students placed first in a diverse range of subjects and represent seven schools from across the Sydney Archdiocese. 

Marist College Kogarah student Mario Baroud placed first Mathematics Standard 2, Mary MacKillop Catholic College Wakeley student Suzi Coates placed first in Studies of Religion I, and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College Kensington student Otylia Pilat placed first in English Extension 1.

Clancy Catholic College West Hoxton student Daniel Michael placed first in Investigating Science, Good Samaritan Catholic College Hinchinbrook student Katarina Chalfa placed first in Food Technology, and Marist Catholic College Penshurst student Anna-Maria Parissis placed first in Modern Greek. 

St Ursula’s College Kingsgrove student Clara Medanic placed first in Croatian Continuers, while La Salle Catholic College Bankstown students Danny Nouseir and Verica Minovska placed first in Arabic Extension and Macedonian Continuers continuers respectively. 

The nine were among the 126 students from 83 schools in the state who topped their HSC courses.  

The students were acknowledged this morning in a ceremony with Sarah Mitchell, Minister for Education and Early Learning. 

“Congratulations to our students on what is truly an impressive accomplishment,” SCS Executive Director, Tony Farley, said. 

“We hope that together with their teachers and families, they see this achievement as a just reward for their hard work and dedication throughout a testing few years.”

Mr Farley said the success of the nine students is reflective of SCS’s excellence focussed approach to learning and the efforts of the system’s teachers and educators. 

“To have nine students, from schools right across the Archdiocese take …

December 14, 2022|
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Muayad’s remarkable journey to HSC success

Good Samaritan Catholic College Hinchinbrook graduate Muayad Alyousuf shares his journey from fleeing war-torn Iraq to finding HSC success in Australia.

The Good Samaritan Catholic College Vice Captain and graduate scored an ATAR of 96.10 in his 2021 HSC, achieving Band 6’s in Advanced Mathematics, Studies of Religion I and Business Services Examination.

But his road to HSC success was harder than most. 

In 2014, Muayad was forced to flee his hometown of Mosul when ISIS insurgents overtook the city.

Two years later, Muayad and his family would arrive in Australia, facing the daunting task of restarting their lives in a foreign land.

In this Q&A, Muayad recounts some of the challenges he overcame in his pursuit of an education. 

Congratulations Muayad on your results! What was your reaction when you saw them? 

Muayad: When I saw my HSC results I was content with what I had but disappointed in Chemistry as I was hoping for a Band 6! Nevertheless, I was still happy that my lowest subject was an 87! 

My ATAR reaction was priceless. I was hoping to achieve a 95+ in order to reward the effort that I have put into my studies for the past 13 years. When I opened that ATAR page and saw 96.10 all I could do was laugh. After looking at my ATAR my parents realised what a massive achievement their son had accomplished!

Can you tell us a bit about your journey from Iraq to Australia?

Muayad: I will always say this: if my journey from Mosul to Australia was a movie on Netflix, it would probably be the number one streaming movie! 

It all began on 10 June 2014 when ISIS came into Mosul – that …

February 23, 2022|
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Announcing the 2021 Thrive short film festival winners

More than 1,090 viewers watched Sydney Catholic Schools’ online Thrive Film Festival winners’ announcement. 

Hosted by The Voice Australia sibling stars Sian and Jordan Fuller, the YouTube Premier event saw Good Samaritan Catholic College Hinchinbrook crowned the 2021 winner on the night.

Rapping sensation Kenny Nguyen, of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School Fairfield, won the hearts of the viewing audience, taking out the People’s Choice Award with 279 of 853 votes!

Festival organiser Glen Thompson said he was floored by the talent in Sydney Catholic Schools.

“Whether it was the lyrics in song, storytelling or the different animations, all the submissions brought energy and connected deeply to the festival theme of celebrating the journey of Catholic education in Australia,” said Mr Thompson, who is Sydney Catholic Schools’ Specialist: Archdiocesan Liaison.

In case you missed the announcement, you can still watch it via the live link below:

The THRIVE Film Festival winners list:
FILM SCHOOL AWARD
A Lasting Legacy… Celebrating 200 Years of Catholic Education Good Samaritan Catholic College Hinchinbrook First Place
The Quest Galilee Catholic Primary School Bondi Second Place
Developing a Compass for Life Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich Third Place
200 Years Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School Fairfield Innovation Award
‘Thrive, Grow and Prosper’ St Clare’s College Waverley Spirit Award
The Journey of Faith St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School Sutherland Creativity Award
Celebrating Our Catholic Education St John Bosco College Engadine Mission & Identity Award
Through Shadows we THRIVE Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School Carnes Hill Shorts Award
200 Years Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School Fairfield People’s Choice Award
The Journey of Faith St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School Sutherland Executive Director’s Award
APPLAUSE FOR THE WINNERS

“I am absolutely delighted for the students in our Media …

November 30, 2021|
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iLight2020: Virtual Carols

Welcome to Sydney Catholic Schools #iLight2020 Virtual Carol Choir.

We have now reached the end of the snapshot of how to prepare for Christmas using the Jesse Tree with your family. It is hoped that you continue your journey towards Christmas in this way through prayer, symbol and song. Today we have the Virtual Carols Night which showcases our schools.

To toggle through the songs, use the menu bar in the top right corner of the video player, otherwise the songs will play one after the other.

Enjoy the light of our students shining brightly for all to see.

Schools featured in the virtual choir:

  1. Eileen O’Connor Catholic College Lewisham
  2. McAuley Catholic Primary School Rose Bay
  3. Mount St Joseph Catholic College Milperra
  4. Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School Kingsgrove
  5. De La Salle College, Ashfield
  6. St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Oatley
  7. Mary MacKillop Catholic College, Wakeley
  8. St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Enfield
  9. Marist Sisters’ College, Woolwich
  10. Good Samaritan Catholic College, Hinchinbrook
  11. St Jerome’s Catholic Primary School, Punchbowl
  12. St Clare’s College, Waverley
December 9, 2020|
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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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