College News

Catholic Schools Week

This week we celebrated Catholic Schools Week in the Diocese. In difficult times it is often good to direct our focus to the great things we have in our lives such as watching our children and students grow.

On Friday we welcomed Fr Roel Llave, Fr Samson Koyipurath along with Fiona Chisolm and Richard Pursey from the Catholic Schools Office to the College. Ms Menz was presented with an award from CSO for the resilience and dedication shown by our school community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The community was also recognised for the collaborative approach to the education and well-being needs of our students, with emphasis on innovative thinking, planning, action and extensive commitment. Thank you to the Catholic Schools Office for providing morning tea for all the O'Connor staff.

PHOTO: Ms Menz was presented to an award from the Catholic Schools office for the College Communities resilience and dedication during COVID-19.

GALLERY: Photos from the celebrations.

VIDEO: A compilation of all that is great about Catholic Education in our Diocese.

Student Led Conferencing

Student Led Conferencing commenced this week for Stage 5. Our AP (Learning) Eli Simpson in her newsletter report explains the benefits of this format of communication between student, teachers and parents.

Stage 6 Subject Selection Information Sessions for Year 10 students

The Library Learning Centre was the location for a number of information sessions for Year 10 this week. A variety of subject teachers presented information to the students on their subject options and advice about how to make a good selection of subjects. One theme that was discussed was to try to choose subjects that you enjoy. They also were able to highlight some new subjects that are on offer for next year at O'Connor including Society and Culture in the HSIE Department and a Cert III in Fitness in the PDHPE Department.

Thank you to Steve Chapman, Camila Clydsdale, Daniel Fittler, Jon Hawthorne, Glenda Lemon, Cherie Stoessel, Glen Watson and Michael Wooster for taking time out of their day to speak with the students.

Year 10 students are encouraged to keep talking to their teachers about which courses are most suitable for them.

PHOTO: Mr Hawthorne the Leader of Learning for Design and Technology talks to a Careers class of Year 10 students about engineering and a variety of DT subjects.

GALLERY: (below) Our Leaders of Learning took time out of their day to speak to a number of Year 10 Careers classes and subject classes this week about their subject selections for Year 11.

From the Archives

Upon the closure of the Ursuline Convent, a number of items were preserved for safe keeping either here in Armidale or the Ursuline Archives in Sydney. One of these items is a lovely old harp made by Sebastian and Pierre Erard of London circa 1830. Many parents and grandparents who attended St Ursulas would have some memories of this beautiful instrument and we would love to hear about them. To let us know, you can email our College Archivist Anthony Kelly on his school email - akelly@arm.catholic.edu.au.

PHOTO: (above) The Erard harp which belonged to the Ursuline Sisters in Armidale and was played by many St Ursula's students over many years.

PHOTO: (below) Boarding students photographed in 1907 at St Ursula's College with the harp pictured in the centre of the group. The Ursuline order were very interested in their students learning musical instruments and being involved in cultural activities. It is likely that the harp came out from Germany following the Ursuline Order's arrival in Armidale in 1882. in Armidale and with build date of circa 1830s, will in the next few years be over 200 years old.

PHOTO GALLERY: (below) additional photographs of the Ursuline harp.

Enrolments 2021

Enrolment applications for Year 7 2021 are now open. Contact Mrs Gemma Creagan by calling 6772 1666 or email gcreagan@arm.catholic.edu.au for an enrolment pack. Limited spaces are also available for Years 8 -12.

Promotional Video

Year 8 Wood Tech

Photo: (above) Luke Rogers and Phoebe Colvin working on their wooden spinning toys.

PHOTO: (above) The College is fortunate to have a laser cutter to enhance the quality of work of our students.

GALLERY: (below) Year 8 Tech in the process of making their wooden spinning toys.

Year 9 Wood Tech

PHOTO: Cody Greaves showing an example of the wooden speakers that Year 9 Wood Tech are making this Term.

Year 7 Music

7.5 Music were enjoying some sun and fresh air while strumming a tune on their guitars on Thursday.

Year 8 Textiles

Some students in Year 8 are now on their Textiles rotation and have commenced planning and making their cushions which involve printing photographs or designs on fabric. They were busy at work during the week.