St Clare's College Waverley | Sydney Catholic Schools

Embracing Equity on International Women’s Day 2023

Sydney Catholic Schools strives to crack the code to gender equity by creating an educational environment that prepares our students for the world in which they live.

Female students are encouraged to embrace innovative learning strategies, including technologies and disruptive innovation to ensure access to an equitable education system.

“Innovation is a driver of change and by embracing new technologies and championing the unique skills and knowledge of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), which may also include the Arts with STEAM, Sydney Catholic Schools can offer a gender-neutral education, to accelerate progress towards a gender equitable future,” said Dr Kate O’Brien, Director of Education and Research.

Sydney Catholic Schools’ aims to close the digital divide by providing all students’ access to inclusive digital technologies and learning opportunities as well as role models in the STE(A)M fields.

Creating clear pathways from Kindergarten to Year 12, Sydney Catholic Schools endeavours to leverage the transformative power of inclusive innovation, critical to cracking the code to gender equality.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

St Ursula’s College Kingsgrove is the first systemic Catholic school in Sydney to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) Program alongside the Higher School Certificate.

The holistic nature of the IB ignites creativity, innovative thinking and design, particularly, for in-depth projects undertaken which include the Arts into STEM.

With this choice of study in Stage 6 the young women at St Ursula’s have further access to disruptive education— that is, an an education that incorporates innovation and technology and STEM subjects — needed for future careers in these fields.

In addition to NESA approved subjects in STEM, girls will be offered access to coding classes, robotics programs, and other technology-based learning opportunities.

CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Women students …

AdminMarch 6, 2023|

Student STEM MAD initiatives take out national awards

A digital weather data and water conservation system was among six outstanding Sydney Catholic Schools projects to pick up awards at the 2022 STEM MAD Nationals.

Our award-winning schools were St Clare’s College Waverley, St Kevin’s Catholic Primary School Eastwood, Good Shepherd Catholic Primary Hoxton Park, Clancy Catholic College West Hoxton, and St Aloysius Catholic Primary School Cronulla.

St Aloysius Cronulla picked up two major awards – the STEM MAD National Award (Primary) and Best Application of Maths in Context Award (Primary) – for their digital innovative weather data and water conservation system.

The project team consists of Year 6 students Flynn Coady and Kate Middlemiss and Year 5 students Isla Whitford and Patrick Hughes.

Over the past five years the budding entrepreneurs have worked with their local council, industry experts and Sydney Water to develop a solution to prevent high salinity levels from impacting local playing fields and golf courses.

Their research included connecting via Skype with a meteorologist in the University of Oklahoma.

‘OUR STUDENTS MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE’

“This project has developed over a number of years and each year the students display greater skill and understanding in developing clever solutions that ensure water use efficiency and sustainability,” Elizabeth Ovens, Principal of St Aloysius Cronulla, said.

“We believe our students make a real difference as we are working with industry professionals on real problems involving recycled water use in our local area, using our STEM skills.”

MORE MAJOR AWARD WINNERS

St Clare’s College Waverley Year 9 student Marianna Quintero Zuniga picked up the Best Integration of Technology Award (Secondary) for her pop up learning pod project.

Major award sponsors, SEAM (Social Enterprise Asset Management), gave their award ‘STEM for …

Isabell PetrinicOctober 3, 2022|

NSW Training Awards regional winner 2022 Courtney McNally

Hospitality extraordinaire Courtney McNally has been recognised as the Central and Northern Sydney Region VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year in the 2022 NSW Training Awards.

St Clare’s College Waverley Director of Administration said she felt honoured to receive the award. She teaches Hospitality to students in Years 11 and 12.

Courtney McNally.

“As teachers we are constantly striving to make a difference in the lives of our students, without expecting anything in return,” she said.

“When moments like this come along and we are recognised for our hard work they are really special and humbling experiences.”

The award recognises innovation and excellence by a trainer or teacher who provides nationally recognised training to students at, or in partnership with, a registered training organisation (RTO).

As a regional award winner, Ms McNally is now in line to be a finalist in the NSW VET Trainer / Teacher of the Year Award, to be announced in September.

“VET in schools opens doors for students to apply the skills they have learnt to a number of post-school pathway opportunities” – Courtney McNally

Ms McNally said Hospitality was a popular subject at St Clare’s, with an average of two Year 11 and two Year 12 classes each year being offered.

She attributes this to the academic success of students in the subject – which is well above the HSC state average – and the practical opportunities to apply their learning.

These opportunities include restaurant ‘takeovers’ and excursions, where students can develop their culinary skills and understanding of the hospitality industry by working alongside professional chefs.

“VET, and in particular Hospitality, provides a pivotal platform to optimise student growth” – Courtney McNally

“Application based learning …

Isabell PetrinicJuly 11, 2022|

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 …

AdminNovember 30, 2021|

St Clare’s listed among country’s most innovative schools

St Clare’s College Waverley is officially one of the most innovative schools in Australia.

The college features in The Educator’s 5 Star Innovative Schools of 2021 special report.

The report showcases schools at the forefront of change and innovation, and whose new approaches to teaching and learning are shaping the educational landscape of the future.

“This is a reward for the innovative approach we have to learning at St Clare’s” – Kerrie Mc Diarmid, Principal

The college is also a ‘Best Secondary School – Non Government’ finalist in this year’s Australian Education Awards. The winner will be announced on 3 December.

THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Principal Kerrie McDiarmid said the inclusion in The Educator’s 5 Star Innovative Schools of 2021 special report was affirming for the school’s staff.

“They’re very excited,” she said.

“Part of what we aim to do is respond to the needs of students and make sure that every learning experience is authentic, innovative, and really positions the students for a world beyond school.

“This award is testament to the hard work of the fantastic staff we have here at the college, and to their willingness to adapt and be creative when it comes to learning.”

PURPOSEFUL INNOVATION IS KEY

Mrs McDiarmid said teachers’ persistence and ability to reflect has helped the college to successfully adopt new ideas.

“It’s purposeful innovation, and I think that is key,” she said

“This is not just about adopting any initiative that may come along. It’s about looking for innovation that reflects our context and supports our overall vision at the school.”

Students’ work is also reflective of this overall vision.

STUDENT SUCCESSES

A short film Year …

jaderamirezsydcatholiceduauOctober 18, 2021|

Thrifty duo win Techgirls award

St Clare’s College Waverley students Suki Waddel and Olivia Zammit are set to take the world of fast fashion head on after their app, Thriftr, was named the winner of the 2021 Techgirls Competition.

The app – which helps users locate second-hand clothing in their area – took out the NSW Secondary School category and was also named the winner of the overall National Competition.

The competition is part of the Tech Girls Movement Foundation, an organisation that campaigns for a future where women will lead and innovate across STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields.

It represents a fantastic achievement for the Year 9 duo, who were inspired to create the app after seeing the negative impacts that fast fashion is having on the environment, people and the fashion industry.

The app helps users locate sustainable fashion in their area

The start of something special

The pair, who spent three months coding and designing the app, said the idea for Thriftr first came about after participating in a Tech Girls workshop through school.

“Our STEM elective offers our class many activities and workshops that come from outside of the school,” Olivia said.

“One of these workshops was from Tech Girls, where we had to make a small idea to solve a global problem.”

Suki said that even after the workshop ended, “we were still really proud and interested in this app we had come up with.”

“When we had the opportunity to take it further, we both jumped at the chance” – Suki Wadel

For the good of the planet

Both fiercely passionate about the environment, the girls designed the app with the goal of targeting young adults and helping to foster a more positive attitude towards sustainability among their peers.

“As we …

domenictrimboli01October 11, 2021|

Is this Australia’s best secondary school?

A future-focused curriculum and ample opportunities for students to build entrepreneurial skills in areas they are passionate about have made St Clare’s College Waverley a Secondary School of the Year – Non-government finalist in the 2021 Australian Education Awards.

According to Principal Kerrie McDiarmid, St Clare’s has gained popularity thanks to this approach, adding more than 200 students to its community in the past four years, including a very healthy waitlist.

“When we engage in this type of learning, often we’ll collapse the curriculum and we’ll allow the girls to work in groups, engaging with experts – teachers or external collaborators,” Mrs McDiarmid said.

“Authentic learning is at the heart of what we do, so the girls have an opportunity to engage in learning that has real-world outcomes” – Kerrie McDiarmid

“We have a staff of like-minded, passionate educators,” Mrs McDiarmid said. “They’re excited by the opportunity to push boundaries and engage students in learning that sits beyond the traditional curriculum.”

PROJECT POWER

Students at St Clare’s are exposed to new technologies and software with Artificial Intelligence. But it is a focus on collaboration, creativity and critical thinking that allows students to make the most of projects on offer and even to suggest their own.

For example, students have collaborated with NASA Mission Operations Manager Alice Bowman to create 3D animations of Mars.

They created a documentary about soldiers who died at Fromelles, one of the most devastating battles in Australia’s military history, with Australian author and broadcaster Patrick Lindsay.

They have made short films on issues of homelessness and sustainability for their own social justice-themed film festival, and formed a committee to improve their school’s environmental sustainability.

A …

jaderamirezsydcatholiceduauAugust 19, 2021|

Documentary unearths ANZAC history

St Clare’s College Waverley students have launched a new Fromelles documentary honouring soldiers whose remains were found in an unmarked mass grave at Pheasant Wood, France.

The Lost Diggers of Fromelles is based on video profiles Year 12 students created in their Year 9 History class. These feature Australian soldiers whose identities were recovered in a DNA matching program at the mass grave site.

“The girls were able to contribute to a history that is still being written.” – Kerrie McDiarmid

The students collaborated with Fromelles book author and broadcast personality, Patrick Lindsay, to create a film that tells the story of the battle of Fromelles through the eyes of young women today.

The July 1916 battle remains the largest loss of life within 24 hours in Australia’s military history.

FAMILY FOCUS

The students interviewed the soldiers’ descendants in the film. Kate O’Sullivan accessed public records and personal letters to build a profile of fallen soldier and pioneering rugby league player, Herbert ‘Nutsy’ Bolt.

“From first being given a soldier’s name and number, we now have a personal connection with these courageous men,” Ms O’Sullivan said.

St Clare’s principal Kerrie McDiarmid said the project reflected the school’s commitment to give students opportunities to collaborate with the broader community and make a difference in their world. More school news

jaderamirezsydcatholiceduauApril 30, 2021|

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:

AdminDecember 9, 2020|

Embracing Equity on International Women’s Day 2023

Student STEM MAD initiatives take out national awards

‘OUR STUDENTS MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE’

MORE MAJOR AWARD WINNERS

NSW Training Awards regional winner 2022 Courtney McNally

Announcing the 2021 Thrive short film festival winners

The THRIVE Film Festival winners list:

APPLAUSE FOR THE WINNERS

St Clare’s listed among country’s most innovative schools

Thrifty duo win Techgirls award

The start of something special

For the good of the planet

Is this Australia’s best secondary school?

Documentary unearths ANZAC history

FAMILY FOCUS

iLight2020: Virtual Carols

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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