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Sydney Catholic Schools

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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Governor goes back to school

We could all feel the excitement in the air when the Governor of NSW and Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) alumna, Margaret Beazley, and husband Dennis Wilson turned up at Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School Carnes Hill.

Governor Beazley – a former St Declan’s Primary School Penshurst, St Joseph’s Girls High School Kogarah, and Mount Saint Joseph Milperra student – had been invited to the school to talk about our democracy.

Governor of NSW Margaret Beazley talking with Holy Spirit Carnes Hill students Governor of NSW, Margaret Beazley, taking questions from Holy Spirit’s students. Photo: Kitty Beale

Welcomed by Principal of Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School Carnes Hill, Brother Nicholas, Assistant Principal Leonie Sewell and the school’s Captains, Mia Yenco and Matthew Sanasi, the Governor was given a quick tour of the school before attending a school assembly.

She then met with students from all grades, and was even given a quick karate demonstration by one student before talking with Year 6 students currently studying the topic “Australia becomes a nation” in History.

“The Governor’s visit ties in brilliantly with the section of the unit on State Government,” Brother Harsas said.

Being only the second woman to be named NSW Governor – the first being Dame Marie Bashir – she regaled students with stories of how she got to her position.

“Having a legal background, I had a good basis for my role as Governor because any constitutional law that is passed in NSW I need to sign it and speak to ministers about it,” said Governor Beazley.

Holy Spirit Carnes Hill school captains, Mia Yenco and Matthew Sanasi, present the governor of NSW with flowers and a gift School Captains, Matthew Sanasi and Mia Yenco, present the Governor of …

February 12, 2021|
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Queen honours Sydney Catholic Schools’ Brother Nicholas Harsas for his service

A beloved Sydney Catholic Schools’ principal and religious Brother has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Principal of Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School Carnes Hill, Brother Nicholas Patrick Harsas, has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to education and to the Catholic Church in Australia.

“I was very shocked and surprised,” Brother Nicholas said, adding that he hasn’t a clue who nominated him although “there are plenty of suspects.”

A Patrician Brother, he is the last remaining religious principal in Sydney Catholic Schools in the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney.

“I love bringing out the best in our students, so they can be their best” – Brother Nicholas

Like Bishop Daniel Delany – who in 1808 founded the Brothers of Saint Patrick, popularly known as the Patrician Brothers – Brother Nicholas believes his faith is inseparable from other aspects of his life.

“Part of our charism is the ‘Option for the poor’, which means giving the poor the best opportunities we can,” said Brother Nicholas.

For well over 25 years as a professed Patrician Brother he has done just that, working and ministering at Sydney Catholic primary schools in the poorer parts of Sydney’s southwest including as a religious education coordinator/teacher from 1994 to 1996.

He has been a principal at four southwest Catholic primary schools: Holy Spirit Carnes Hill (since 2019), Our Lady of the Rosary Fairfield (2008-2018), St Therese Sadleir-Miller (2004-2007), and now closed Patrician Brothers Fairfield (1997-2003).

In 2018 he was awarded the Dempsey Medal by the Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, for his years of devoted service to the Our Lady of the Rosary school community including the settlement and welcome of hundreds of refugees and migrants.

“I …

June 10, 2020|
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Numeracy in Action

Sydney Catholic Schools is always proud of the great work being done by its staff and students, but never more so than at this unsettling time.

We’ve put together a collection that showcases the creativity and resilience of our teaching and learning communities.

Getting busy with words and numbers

Year 4 students at Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School Carnes Hill have been busy learning about literacy and numeracy.

Projects have included creating their very own shop front (pictured) and managing the daily running of it, including advertising and daily budgets.

Keep on coming back

We’re adding new things to our Showcase section of this site all the time, so be sure to check back in!

May 6, 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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