It’s been an exciting couple of months for St Vincent’s College Ashfield. 

Following the announcement of Ray Martin as the College’s principal last month, the College this month announced its inaugural leadership team, while also revealing the College crest and colours.

Together, the announcements represent a transformative period for education in Sydney’s inner west and for the area’s parents, carers and students.

In this Q&A, Nina Cook—who has children at each of the three Ashfield schools—gives a parent’s perspective of the amalgamation and how it will benefit the community’s families.

With news of the three Ashfield schools combining to become one K-12 College, what were your initial thoughts?

NC: I was thrilled with the idea. After attending all three schools’ parent forums in 2019 and discussing the possibilities with the executive and teachers at all three schools regularly in recent years, I was hoping this would happen. My only reservations were about losing the best educators we have here on the block. I am hoping there will be a concerted effort to retain our dedicated faculty.

Do you feel that the transition process from one stage of school to the next will be very different in this new learning model and what are your expectations with regards to this?

NC: I am hoping for a thorough process of information sharing to avoid all the time that can be lost from grade to grade and particularly from Year 6 to 7. If students are known, valued and cared for, admin and executive can potentially match students with suitable teachers from stage to stage. There can be greater emphasis on a holistic approach, knowing the whole child rather than data on a spreadsheet from enrolment forms because teachers can share information face to …

Sydney Catholic Schools is excited to reveal the crest and colours for St Vincent’s College Ashfield. 

The crest and colours have been carefully crafted to reflect the College’s future-focused outlook while maintaining and respecting the esteemed history and unique identity of our three Ashfield schools: St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School, Bethlehem College and De La Salle College.

The colours of St Vincent’s College have been adopted from the three existing schools—gold from St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School, navy from De La Salle College and lavender from Bethlehem College. 

Following an extensive design and consultation process, a new college crest has been created which incorporates elements of the amalgamated schools together in a contemporary style that speaks to the College’s bold vision.

A centred ‘V’ denotes the school patron Saint Vincent de Paul, while a five-point star and an elevated cross—symbols shared by the three schools—allude to Christ being at the centre of faith and education. 

A wreath of olive branches—which also features in the De La Salle College crest—speaks to the College’s vision of creating a just and equitable world, and appears alongside a gold shield of faith that represents the College’s ‘Church to the World’ motto.

The revealing of the crest and colours comes as the College’s inaugural leadership team was also announced this week.

Watch a video of the College identity story below. ENROL NOW AT ST VINCENT’S COLLEGE ASHFIELD

St Vincent’s College Ashfield is pleased to announce the College’s inaugural leadership team. 

Following the announcement of Ray Martin as the College’s inaugural principal last month, the College has welcomed four Deans and a Head of Operations, who together will enhance learning opportunities for the students in the classroom and beyond. 

• Dean of Mission – Petah Foran
• Dean of Early Years – Nicholas Brierley 
• Dean of Middle Years – Ana O‘Reilly
• Dean of Senior Years – Paul Forrester
• Head of Operations – Robert Di Mauro

This new leadership approach is an example of Sydney Catholic Schools’ commitment to collaborative and innovative education that works to meet the needs of students and their communities.

The announcement of the leadership team comes as the College crest and colours were also revealed this week.

Watch a video featuring interviews with the leadership team below. ENROL NOW AT ST VINCENT’S