Tony Farley | Sydney Catholic Schools

Executive Director’s Excellence in HSC and VET Awards recipients 2022

More than 200 Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) HSC graduates and VET students have been recognised by SCS’ Executive Director, Tony Farley, at a gala ceremony in Sydney.

The system’s first combined Executive Director’s Excellence in HSC and VET Awards ceremony was held last night at the International Convention Centre. It was also live streamed on the centre’s website.

The awards recognise the amazing achievements of SCS students in 2021, in either the Higher School Certificate (HSC) or Vocational Education and Training (VET).

Speakers on the night included Mr Farley and SCS’ Director of Education and Research, Dr Kate O’Brien.

Freeman Catholic College Bonnyrigg Heights alumna Keisha Sta Barbara, who was the top SCS student in the HSC Music 1 examination, provided a musical performance for the audience.

SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENTS

The principals of St Clare’s College Waverley and Trinity Catholic College Auburn accepted awards on behalf of their schools, which had outstanding results in the 2021 HSC.

St Clare’s was the highest-placed SCS secondary school in the Sydney Morning Herald’s top 150 secondary schools rankings, coming in 29th in NSW.

Trinity had the biggest ranking improvement of any SCS school, climbing 191 spots up the state ladder.

HSC FIRST IN STATE

Eight SCS students who ranked first in the entire state in a 2021 HSC subject were also recognised on the night. They were:

Tony Khattar: Clancy Catholic College West Hoxton (Construction – tied)
Brock Wilson: Aquinas Catholic College Menai (Construction – tied)
Oliver Wells: Aquinas Catholic College Menai (Construction – tied)
Jovanka Lim: Bethany College Hurstville (Indonesian and Literature)

FrankMarch 30, 2022|

‘Never Take Teachers for Granted’: Executive Director’s Message

Sydney Catholic Schools’ Executive Director, Tony Farley, reflects on the importance of not underestimating the profound impact our teachers have on their students.

We should never take teachers for granted, or underestimate the profound impact they have on every student they teach and the future of Australia.

Along with parents and carers, our teachers guide our children through 13 years of school and prepare them for a world of possibilities, challenges, setbacks and successes.

They work with each child as an individual, acknowledging that every child has their own way of understanding, learning, doing and being.

Our teachers also know that success in life necessarily involves working with others and that helping each child to develop skills in collaboration, cooperation, teamwork and problem solving are the foundations of success in both their personal and professional lives.

Teachers work hard, and I mean really hard. On any given day they are instructional specialists, counsellors, trusted colleagues and confidantes.

They’re administrators constantly accounting for what they do to regulators, and calm and considered leaders reassuring students and parents in times of trouble and grief.

Over the past two years they kept turning up to schools when the rest of society was working from home and then switched to being experts in remote learning as the pandemic reached its ugly peak.

Our teachers are back in schools now as the number of COVID-19 cases begins to rise, teaching our children, reassuring our parents, and making their schools great places of learning, care, growth and optimism.

They have their own families, their own lives and their own troubles and challenges. Yet when you visit schools all you can see is their dedication and professionalism and their enduring belief in the liberating possibilities that a great …

Isabell PetrinicMarch 29, 2022|

Howzat?: New cricket facilities unveiled

Students at Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield can further hone their cricket skills thanks to eight newly refurbished batting nets.

The cricket facility was officially opened on Friday, February 18, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Tony Farley, Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools, and Fairfield state MP, Guy Zangari.

The upgrade was made possible through two rounds of funding from the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership program.

Located alongside the College’s green fields and basketball courts, the cricket nets will be a major boost to the College’s students, who will enjoy regular use of the facility during PDHPE lessons and cricket training.

Peter Wade, Principal at Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield, said the new facility was the culmination of plenty of hard work from a collection of key people.

“I would like to thank Tony Farley and Sydney Catholic Schools for their contribution to the project, as well as Guy Zangari for his ongoing support of the College,” Mr Wade said.

“A special mention also to Kerry Logue, the College’s Business Manager, and Craig Wasson, who is responsible for the College’s grounds and maintenance, for their assistance in bringing the facility to life.”

Mr Wade said the students at the College are now eyeing off what promises to be an exciting year of cricket.

“We are looking forward to Sydney Catholic Schools’ competitive cricket season in Term 4 and we are confident that our College cricket teams will benefit greatly from the new facilities” – Peter Wade

“We are proud of all our sportsmen and always enjoy seeing them go on to greater things – perhaps our new facility will assist cricketing Patrician men in their progress to represent NSW or …

domenictrimboli01February 25, 2022|

Watch NOW: COVID, our schools and what to expect in 2022

More than 3,000 families and 1,000 staff logged on on Tuesday night to hear about COVID-19, our schools and what to expect in 2022.

In case you missed our latest online forum, you can still watch it via the live link below.

“As information becomes available and the community situation evolves, our school leaders, our teachers and our staff will be walking alongside every member of our community, responding to the challenges of living and learning in the time of COVID” – Executive Director, Tony Farley

COVID, our schools and what to expect in 2022

Everyone here at Sydney Catholic Schools can’t wait to welcome back our 73,000 students and more than 10,000 staff.

As part of this welcome, we kicked off the 2022 school calendar with two online interactive forums, for all our families and employees.

Titled ‘What to Expect in 2022’, both events were hosted by the Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools, Tony Farley, and our Chief of Staff, Dr Jacqueline Frost.

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

“These forums are just one way that Sydney Catholic Schools provides our communities with the best and most up-to-date information about the return to school, and the plans that every one of our schools must maintain to ensure safe and thriving school communities,” Mr Farley said.

During the pandemic, Dr Frost has acted as as our school’s chief liaison and representative with public health authorities and other regulators and is widely acknowledged as a leading expert in the operational management of COVID-19 within schools and education systems.

So, it was with authority and experience that Dr Frost and Mr Farley outlined key details around what we can all expect as our students and staff return to our 150 schools next …

Isabell PetrinicJanuary 27, 2022|

HSC 2021: The full results are in …

Sydney Catholic Schools has achieved its best HSC results ever with 11 of its 33 schools ranked among the top 100 high schools in NSW.

To cap off an incredible 2021, 18 Sydney Catholic Schools ranked among the top 150 high schools and confirmed its reputation as one of the top performing systems of schools in Australia.

Sydney Catholic Schools’ unprecedented academic success saw its schools reach new heights with the number of distinguished achievers rising from 2486 in 2019 and 2511 in 2020 to 3115 in 2021.

Sydney Catholic Schools’ Director of Education and Research, Dr Kate O’Brien.

“These amazing results reflect the hard work and commitment of students, unwavering support of parents and carers and teachers and school leaders who stood out in the toughest of years as professionals who always put their students first,” Sydney Catholic Schools Director of Education and Research, Dr Kate O’Brien, said.

The results follow a series of ground-breaking HSC excellence initiatives that involved all 33 secondary schools meeting to share and analyse HSC performance data, identify key strategies for achieving academic success and find ways to share resources and opportunities across our 33 schools sitting the HSC.

“Our system-wide approach to excellence means that every student and teacher has access to a huge range of resources and experiences that a large system like ours can provide,” Dr O’Brien said.

“We’re always exploring new opportunities for our students and these results indicate we’ve hit a rich seam of success that will keep on giving” – Dr Kate O’Brien

Sydney Catholic Schools’ Executive Director, Tony Farley, said: “Our students’ results speak for themselves.”

“In the hardest of times and with the odds stacked against them, they excelled with distinction,” Mr Farley said.

Isabell PetrinicJanuary 20, 2022|

‎Vaccination hubs now open!

Sydney Catholic Schools’ COVID-19 vaccination hubs are now open and taking bookings!

Sydney Catholic Schools has partnered with South East Sydney Local Health District to establish COVID-19 vaccination hubs at Marcellin College Randwick and St Patrick’s College Sutherland for 5 to 11 year-olds.

Click here for more information, or to make a booking to receive the first dose before school goes back .

There are plenty of appointments still available this Thursday (20 January) and Friday (21 January).

Isabell PetrinicJanuary 19, 2022|

Sydney Catholic Schools announces new Sports Council

Sydney Catholic Schools’ Executive Director, Tony Farley, today announced the formation of a new Sports Council via an online video message to all students, parents and staff.

The Sports Council will play a pivotal role in the streamlining of structural and administration functions in Sport across all 150 primary and secondary schools in the Sydney Catholic Schools system.

In case you missed it, you can watch Mr Farley’s announcement via the live link below:

About the Sports Council

Chaired by Dr Kate O’Brien, Sydney Catholic Schools’ Director: Education and Research, the Sports Council aims to create more sporting opportunities for students at all levels, as well as increasing access to participation in elite sport.

Another focus of the Council will be the expansion of inter-school sport, introducing new sports within schools, and creating more before and after school sporting programs.

Together with Dr O’Brien, the Council is made up of five internal experts and three external experts who will help connect Sydney Catholic Schools with the wider sports industry.

Sports Council Members

Dr Kate O’Brien, Director: Education and Research, SCS
Damien Kerr, Manager: Pre to Post Sport, SCS
Michael Ennis, former NSW rugby league star and current Fox Sports presenter
Kim Green, former Australian netballer and St Patrick’s College Sutherland alumna
Leisl Stimpson, National Schools Manager at Special Olympics Australia
Peter Watkins, Executive Principal, Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Primary School Gladesville, and St Charles Catholic Primary School Ryde
Dr Cathy Young, Principal, Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School …

domenictrimboli01December 3, 2021|

WATCH NOW: Major announcement about Sydney Catholic Schools

Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) today launched the Amadeus Music Education Program, which is putting 52,000 instruments in the hands of year 3 to 8 students across SCS’ 150 schools. If you missed the announcement, you can still watch it via the live link below.

This game changing program will provide 33,000 students with classroom music lessons, ensemble lessons and small group tuition and will be led by more than 80 school classroom music teachers and 270 specialist music tutors. Read more here: bit.ly/3kMUO2K

Isabell PetrinicNovember 17, 2021|

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.

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 …

Isabell PetrinicSeptember 28, 2021|

Watch it NOW: Sydney Catholic Schools’ first Virtual Choir

A creative response to singing restrictions at the height of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has united the voices of 260 Sydney Catholic Schools students and staff and prompted an exploration of new modes to engage its school communities in the arts.

A virtual choir video clip – which shows students from Kindergarten to Year 12, staff, teachers, parents and alumni singing Christian hymn ‘For the Beauty of the Earth’ by John Rutter in unison online – was officially launched on Sydney Catholic Schools’ Facebook page on Friday 17 September.

Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools, Tony Farley – also part of the choir – said the video premier highlights the unity it inspired at a time when many worked in isolation.

Our joyful hymn of praise

“I am delighted that the simple act of singing for this project has created something so joyous and inspired such collaboration among our staff,” Mr Farley said.

“The resulting video is a beautiful reminder of the agility of our educators and the knowledge, skills and positivity they bring to the challenge of educating more than 70,000 students amid the ever-changing measures in NSW to contain the spread of COVID-19” – Tony Farley

Sydney Catholic Schools’ creative and performing arts specialist, Eva Spata, said some staff and students were invited to record their part in the project in Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood’s professional recording studio under strict COVID-19 guidelines.

Sydney Catholic Schools’ specialist in the creative and performing arts, Eva Spata.

“The virtual choir was an opportunity for our community to sing together when they had not had a chance to for so long due to COVID restrictions,” Ms Spata said.

“This song was …

Isabell PetrinicSeptember 20, 2021|

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 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 …

Isabell PetrinicJuly 29, 2021|

Watch NOW: Facebook COVID-19 Q&A

Sydney Catholic Schools is hosting COVID-19 Q&A Facebook Live sessions for Kindy to Year 2 parents and Year 12 parents and students tonight, on Friday 23 July.

Hosted by our Executive Director, Tony Farley, and our Chief of Staff, Dr Jacqueline Frost, the sessions will begin at:

5pm-5.30pm: We are holding our Kindy to Year 2 Event to connect with our Kindy through to Year 2 parents about support being offered during lockdown;
6pm-6.30pm: We are holding our Year 12 Event, for our Year 12 parents and students, to provide up to the minute support, guidance and reassurance.

You can tune in live right here, or on our official Facebook page.

—

UPDATE

The Live Q&A for Kindergarten to Year 2 has now ended, but you can still watch it below:

The Live Q&A for Year 12 has now ended, but you can still watch it below:

Isabell PetrinicJuly 23, 2021|

Save the date: More COVID-19 Q&A Facebook Live sessions coming

Sydney Catholic Schools is hosting two more live COVID-19 Q&A sessions on Facebook on Friday 23 July, for our Kindergarten to Year 2 parents and Year 12 parents and students.

“The turnout to our first interactive Facebook Q&A on 16 July was great,” Sydney Catholic Schools’ Executive Director, Tony Farley, said.

“During the event, many of our parents asked if we could conduct specific Facebook Live events.

“In particular, our Year 12 parents and students and our Kindy to Year 2 parents face unique challenges in the remote learning landscape and they’re keen to hear more. So, we’ve decided to host two focused Facebook Live events.”

Dr Jacqueline Frost and Tony Farley interacting with parents during a recent Facebook Live.

Event details

Based on feedback from you, Sydney Catholic Schools is pleased to host two focused Facebook Live COVID-19 events this Friday 23 July:

5pm-5.30pm: We are holding our Kindy to Year 2 Event, to connect with our Kindy through to Year 2 parents about support being offered during lockdown
6pm-6.30pm: We are holding our Year 12 Event, for our Year 12 parents and students, to provide up to the minute support, guidance and reassurance.

Hosted by our Executive Director and Chief of Staff, Dr Jacqueline Frost, and joined by Sydney Catholic Schools’ experts, the Live Facebook event will be interactive.

You can also ask questions in advance by posting comments into the comments section of each event on Sydney Catholic Schools’ Facebook page.

Don’t forget to follow the Facebook page to ensure you can be part of the conversation on the night! Sydney …

Isabell PetrinicJuly 21, 2021|

Cross Country: Mud, grit and determination

Over 2500 students navigated a mud-slicked course at Sydney Catholic Schools’ first large-scale Cross Country, their eyes firmly on the prize – a berth at the MacKillop Championships.

The first athlete over the muddy line, Harper Surjan from Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School in Carnes Hill, described the course as “wet and slippery.”

He completed the 12/13 Years Boys 3km race in 13 minutes and 57 seconds at Sydney Catholic Schools’ (SCS) first combined Cross Country Carnival at Sydney Motorsport Park, Eastern Creek.

SCS has never before held an event of this magnitude, and SCS’ Executive Director, Tony Farley, said it was the first of many more to come.

“It’s important to recognise that this large-scale combined event is the beginning of scaling combined sport all across the Archdiocese of Sydney and placing Sydney Catholic Schools at the forefront of sporting achievement and success,” Mr Farley said.

Event gets nod of approval

Spotted mingling in the crowd was Trevor Wiseman, who has a long history within School Sport Australia and is currently the National Cross Country Advisor.

“Today’s been great – I’m impressed,” said Mr Wiseman who, in 2019, was awarded a Life Membership of School Sport Australia for outstanding contribution and service to school sport in Australia.

“The setup is just magnificent” – Trevor Wiseman OAM

“Whether you’re behind the windows (in the race control rooms) or in the grandstand, you can see what’s happening,” said Mr Wiseman.

SCS’ Director Education and Research, Dr Kate O’Brien, said: “It’s just an extraordinary opportunity for young boys and girls to participate in sport.”

“Their determination to run the distance is quite extraordinary,” Dr O’Brien added.

“Congratulations to all participants!” – Dr Kate O’Brien

What’s next

Isabell PetrinicMay 5, 2021|

Future of 21st century education

At a time of uncertainty and challenge, more and more parents are choosing one of our 150 schools to educate their children, writes Sydney Catholic Schools’ Executive Director, Tony Farley.

Sydney Catholic Schools is experiencing record levels of demand. The strong foundations of literacy and numeracy provided to our students are valued by our parents who know these are the essential building blocks upon which all other learning and growth are built.

Our parents know that in Sydney Catholic schools each child has his and her own unique needs and that every child must be known and guided to their fullest potential by professional and skilled teachers.

While Sydney Catholic schools are high performers in both NAPLAN and the HSC, we also offer a comprehensive education that is practical, creative, innovative and designed to be engaging for all students.

Parents and students are offered an extraordinary range of learning initiatives, activities and programs. Through various tools and channels our schools encourage constant engagement and feedback between students, parents and teachers as an essential component of educational excellence.

St John Bosco College Engadine Students. Photo: Kitty Beale

Our schools are faith communities that are inextricably part of the local parishes that worship and thrive throughout the Archdiocese of Sydney. Our parish communities are places of spiritual growth and our schools’ close connection with parishes is essential to who we are and who we can be.

To visit a Sydney Catholic school is to be part of a dynamic, vibrant and optimistic experience of 21st century education. Our schools are founded upon and imbued with 2000 year old Catholic traditions of faith, worship and outreach.

In a world of constant change and challenge, our schools are places where students, staff and parents can …

Isabell PetrinicMarch 3, 2021|

HSC 2020: The results are in …

Sydney Catholic Schools’ Executive Director, Tony Farley, has congratulated our 2020 HSC top achievers on their outstanding results in a challenging year.

In this video announcement he applauded the hard work of our 3876 HSC students who collectively have received 2602 merit awards.

“This morning’s results have confirmed that the students and teachers in our 33 secondary colleges have a great deal to be proud of,” Mr Farley said.

First in Human Services: Good Samaritan’s Nathan Galindo.

Impressively, five Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) students have topped the state in their HSC courses, and Brigidine College Randwick has improved their ranking for the second straight year to remain SCS’ highest ranked school.

Brigidine is now 49th in NSW, compared to 64th in 2019, according to data derived from the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).

The rankings are calculated using the ratio of the number of band 6 (90-100 marks) results to the number of exams sat by the school.

Freeman Catholic College in Bonnyrigg Heights had the highest number of All-Round Achievers recipients from SCS’ cohort with eight of the total received.

“SCS is absolutely delighted with the HSC results which show consistent improvement,” SCS’ Director Education and Research, Dr Kate O’Brien, said.

Dr Kate O’Brien. Photo: Kitty Beale

“All students who completed the exams should be very proud of their achievement,” Dr O’Brien said.

“It shows persistence, tenacity and this year, more than anything, commitment.

Isabell PetrinicDecember 18, 2020|

How are HSC students doing?

With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions Sydney Catholic Schools’ executive director, Tony Farley, has been visiting schools in the network. While at Marist College Eastwood he had the opportunity to sit down with two HSC students to discuss how they are approaching their path towards their trials and final assessments in the coming weeks for his Weekly Message.

BenjaminJune 24, 2020|