In celebration of this great achievement and the nature of Catholic schools as authentic, dynamic and vivid, Catholic Schools Week (CSW) 2017 will mark the start of the 2018 enrolment period for all 56 of our current schools and our newest school, St Bede’s Catholic College at Chisholm. The week will also raise public awareness of the many opportunities that Catholic schools provide and celebrate the exciting new developments that will take place over the next 12 months at many of our high schools.
From Sunday 5 March to Saturday 11 March, schools across the diocese will host a variety of activities including open days, open classrooms, liturgies, grandparent days, autumn fairs and more.
Our K-12 school, St Catherine’s Catholic College, Singleton, will be celebrating CSW this year with a number of exciting activities. On Monday 6 March, in the spirit of the CSW theme of “great communities”, the College will be welcoming 12 exchange students from Yakayama, Japan. In line with their arrival, the Year 7s will be hosting their annual Japanese Day, a day of culture and Japanese activities including cooking, songs, games, calligraphy, origami and kimono wearing. The school will also be hosting a grandparents’ day when hundreds of parents and grandparents will gather at the school to visit open classrooms, attend a special liturgy and picnic on the College green in the visitors’ honour.
Later in the week, students will also celebrate with Primary Band performances and the blessing of the newly erected Indigenous College Cross and Totems.
St Catherine’s is just one of many schools in our diocese which will be hosting celebrations. Here’s a snapshot of some of the other exciting events that will be celebrated this CSW.
CSW welcome Mass
St Kevin’s Primary School, Cardiff
Sunday, 5 March, 9.30am: the students and staff of St Kevin’s Primary School, Cardiff, will commence CSW festivities with Mass at St Kevin’s Church, Cardiff.
CSW Mass
All schools
Tuesday, 7 March, 11am: Student and teacher representatives from all schools will join with members of the wider community, local Members of Parliament and parishioners for Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Dio-Theatre Sports
Secondary schools
Wednesday, 8 March. Staff and students will gather to watch Dio-Theatre Sports, the diocesan drama competition where school teams from Years 9 to 11 participate in a variety of short theatrical tasks. This year’s showcase will be held at St Pius X High School, Adamstown.
Student Art Competition – What does Catholic spirituality mean to you?
St Pius X High School, Adamstown
Saturday, 11 March, 5.30pm: To conclude CSW, artworks from students of St Pius X will be displayed and judged at St Philip’s Church, Kotara. Students have been asked to create a visual representation of what Catholic spiritualty means to them. The winner will be announced during the Vigil Mass.
This is just a snapshot of some of the great events that will be happening this CSW. If a member of your family is a student of one of our schools or if you are considering a Catholic education for your child, please come along and celebrate with us.
Visit www.mn.catholic.edu.au/csw17 for more information on CSW and activities, or contact your local Catholic school to learn how you and your family can be involved in its celebrations.
This CSW we will also be celebrating many important milestones that will continue into 2018.
New senior class enrolment and new facilities
St Joseph’s College, Lochinvar and St Mary’s Catholic College, Gateshead
Both St Joseph’s and St Mary’s have recently undergone a name change, incorporating new school crest, colours and uniforms, and are welcoming Year 11 cohorts into the school from 2018. To help cater for these additional students, new facilities will open and construction will have commenced on other projects in the lead-up to CSW. St Joseph’s revealed its new hospitality café and school hall in late February and significant refurbishment to the school’s music, drama, science and visual art facilities will commence shortly, following CSW. Construction of St Mary’s hospitality centre will commence followed by TAS (building and construction) facilities.
New school enrolment
St Bede’s Catholic College, Chisholm
Next year, the All Saints region will be welcoming another high school and enrolments for our diocese’s newest school will open 6 March. In line with school enrolments St Bede’s visual identity, including school crest, will be revealed. Construction of St Bede’s has recently commenced and Foundation Principal John Murphy has set up an office opposite the school. He welcomes enquiries.
Improved learning spaces
Construction of improved learning facilities at St Pius X High School, Adamstown; San Clemente High School, Mayfield; St Joseph’s High School, Aberdeen and St Clare’s High School, Taree will begin in coming weeks through the assistance of Australian Government Capital Grants. Construction and refurbishments will include new libraries and learning spaces, specialised learning areas for art, technical and applied studies, food technology and VET, fitness classrooms, multipurpose halls and improved staff facilities. These facilities will enrich student learning, reflect modern learning requirements, improve accessibility and support overall school growth.
For more information on Catholic Schools Week celebrations or enrolling for 2018, please visit www.mn.catholic.edu.au/0317