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- FROM THE PRINCIPAL
- OPEN DAY 2025
- FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
- Important Dates for Term 1 2025
- Whom Do I Contact @HCCRYDE 2025
- Welcome Year 7 2025 - First Day
- FROM THE DIRECTOR OF LEARNING & CURRICULUM
- FROM THE DIRECTOR OF WELLBEING
- FROM THE BUSINESS MANAGER
- Enrolments Year 7 2027
- Collection Notice for parents/guardians 2024 Student Residential Address and Other Information
- HCC IN THE MEDIA:
- HSC Excellence @hccryde - FIRST IN STATE FOR 2024 HSC
- St Merkorious Charity
- Outstanding Student Success Story: Tim Donovan
- NEW UNIFORM SHOP
- Lost Property
- CANTEEN
- HCC Canteen Menu
- TRANSPORT NSW - School Student Travel
- PARISH BULLETIN
Dear Holy Cross Community,
It is with great pleasure that I welcome all of the new and continuing families for the 2025 Academic Year. We thank you for doing us the great honour of selecting Holy Cross College to educate your son. It is a sacred trust that you have placed in us
and we will endeavour to work with you in partnership to ensure that your son grows into the man that God wants him to be. Our College enjoys an enviable reputation and a 134 year tradition of educating the young men of Ryde and surrounding
districts.
Holy Cross College is an authentically Catholic school that strives to take seriously the charism of the Patrician Brothers who make hospitality and welcome their special care. This central pillar of the Patrician Charism extends from the perspective that we see Christ in all those that we meet and is reflected in the prayer attributed to St Partrick the ‘Breastplate of St Patrick.’ The “Breastplate of St Patrick” is how our community commences each day.
Breastplate of St Patrick
2024 Higher School Certificate Results
I am pleased to report that 2024 was another successful year for our Year12 students.
With strong results achieved in Mathematics, English, Studies of Religion, Legal
Studies, Business Studies, Modern History, Ancient History and Personal Development Health and Physical Education. The College again improved in the media rankings, in fact 53% of students achieved in the top two bands and 22% achieved ATAR’s greater than 90. Angus Frawley was first in the State for Electrotechnology, Alex Mutimer and Alex Van Es achieved HSC Allrounder status by achieving the highest band in all subjects. The College is incredibly proud of our student’s achievements and look forward with much anticipation to what our current young men will achieve this year. I congratulate the students and teachers who have achieved such great results and look forward to meeting the young men in person at the High Achievers assembly on Friday 14th February.
New members of staff 2025
This year we welcome a number of new staff members to the College.
Jenna Redknap – (Barker College) Leader of Learning English
Madeleine Chong – (Sydney Distance Education) LBOTE
Christy Herrera – (Holy Cross College) HSIE
Stephen Belekas – (St Pauls Greystanes) Religious Education / HSIE
Stratia Vergos – (Narrabeen Sports High School) English
Natasha Philopoulos – (Casimir Catholic College) Religious Education / HSIE
Kathryn Mandoukos – Catholic Care Counsellor
2025 College Leadership Team
Your Contribution to maintaining the College’s high standards
The College has the highest expectations when it comes to the standards of academic effort, uniform, grooming, courtesy and respect. These expectations are demanded of every student. I am confident that this is being well communicated to your sons and shared with you by other leaders of the College. High standards don’t just happen, they are hard work, and they must be demanded by every adult member of the College community as an example to the youth for whom we care. Those ‘youths’ include your son and the ‘adults’ include teachers and parents alike. Your co-operation in reinforcing the expectation of high standards is necessary and important.
Sydney Catholic Schools Parent Charter Update:
“The Sydney Catholic Schools Parent Charterhas been updated and is available here.”
I hope you share my enthusiasm and excitement for the year ahead. I look forward to
working with you as we continue to see Holy Cross College grow from strength to
strength.
The College has a number of significant events occurring over the next few weeks:
Objectionable Email filtering
Each Sydney Catholic School has an objectionable email inbox. Any email with objectionable content is redirected to this address, which the school monitors regularly. The filter for objectionable emails picks up poor language and violent, harmful, and antisocial content.
The student acceptable user guidelines state that SCS is responsible for providing safe and secure online services.
- Students must behave ethically when using digital devices to access resources,
communicate and interact with others. - Online behaviour should at all times demonstrate respect for the dignity of each person.
- It is never acceptable to use digital devices to harass, bully or humiliate others.
- The school reserves the right to capture, store, and review all online activity and content created or accessed via the services provided by the College.
If you have any questions about this, please contact the College.
Dear Parents, Carers, Students, Staff and Friends of the College,
Welcome back to the 2025 academic year, with a very special welcome to our Year 7 families and all other families who are new to the College. I hope that this year is fruitful for you all and sees each member of our College flourishing and aiming for their personal best at all times.
The holidays seem a distant memory and the routines of school life have again swung into full gear this week. The vast majority of our students have begun the year most positively and are engaged and working hard in their lessons. The start of the school year is a special time and as the students look to the year ahead they should be hope filled and full of the knowledge that their fortune is very much in their own hands. The young men of Holy Cross are indeed fortunate, they have facilities second to none and a staff that are professional, passionate and experts in their respective fields. In short they belong to a community that exists solely for them!
My prayer is that each student grasps the opportunities that they afforded with both hands and works hard each day to be the very best version of themselves.
Student Drop Off/ Pick Up
A polite reminder to all parents and carers to ensure that you are following the road rules and driving safely when on College grounds and in the adjacent streets. Please ensure that you are not using our neighbours driveways, including Cressy Road Early Learning Centre to drop students off at the College in the morning. Thank you for your cooperation.
Compass Parent Portal
Compass is where you will locate important College information. I would ask all parents to check Compass regularly to ensure that you stay up to date with all of the College news.
Please ensure that any absences or late arrivals are explained via Compass. Students are expected to be on time for school each day and lined up ready to commence HCT at 8.45am. It is a College rule that 3 x Lates without a justified reason (eg, medical appointment) will incur an after school detention.
Home School Partnership
The partnership between home and school is absolutely essential if each of our young men is to fulfil his potential. Take the time to ask your sons each evening how their day was, ask them if they have any homework, talk to them about their teachers and offer to read over their drafts. Although they will not always express it in the manner that you would hope for, I can assure you that all of our boys want their parents/ carers/ grandparents etc involved and interested in how they are progressing at school. Please reach out at any time if there is any aspect of your son’s education or development that we can support you with.
iPad/ Laptop
The judicious use of Technology can add so much to the educational experience and our staff here at Holy Cross are innovative and creative with the ways in which they have the students engage with the curriculum through the use of their devices.
I would ask that parents and carers conduct an ‘audit’ of their son’s device and speak with them regarding any games/ apps that they may have downloaded onto their iPad or laptop.
Right Place, Right Time, Right Equipment, Right Attitude
On our return to school I spoke with all boys regarding this very simple and very concise statement. In short it sums up the expectations we have of all members of our Holy Cross community. Not every student will have the academic ability to receive an A grade in every subject area, nor would we expect them all to represent the College in our A Grade Cricket team or as a part of our College band. What we do expect though, and make no excuses for, is for all of our young men to aim for their personal best in all aspects of College life.
Please take the time to discuss with your sons what the school, their sporting team or even your workplace would look like if everyone involved followed this simple mantra.
Wishing you all the very best for the weeks ahead.
Welcome to the Class of 2030 or otherwise known as Year 7 - 2025. We hope you had a great day and are ready to face the rest of the week. “you’re only a stranger for just one day, then a Holy Cross boy for life” #fullhouse #134yearsofholycross
Dear Parents and Carers,
The Power of the Exercise Book: Why It’s Essential for Your Son’s Learning!
As parents, we often focus on the big milestones in our children's education—grades, test scores, and big projects. But there’s one tool that plays a quietly crucial role in their learning, one that’s often overlooked: the exercise book! Whether it’s filled with math problems, writing exercises, or drawing activities, this simple tool provides countless benefits that support academic and personal growth.
Here’s why exercise books are so important for your child’s development—and how you can help them get the most out of this essential tool.
1. Encourages Active Learning
Exercise books are more than just a place to complete homework—they’re a means of engaging with the material actively. Unlike reading a textbook or watching a lesson, writing and solving problems in an exercise book helps children process information deeply. The act of writing down ideas, solving problems, or sketching concepts aids memory retention and understanding, making the learning experience more effective.
2. Promotes Discipline and Organisation
A dedicated exercise book teaches students how to organise their thoughts and approach tasks systematically. As your son works through exercises, they practice structuring their answers and managing their time. This fosters both discipline and a sense of responsibility—skills that will benefit them well beyond their school years.
3. Encourages Neatness and Attention to Detail
One of the simplest yet most important lessons your son can learn is how to present their work neatly. Encourage your son to treat their exercise books with care and respect. Neat writing is more than just an aesthetic choice—it reflects a student’s attention to detail and commitment to their work. Remind them that taking their time to write legibly isn’t just about looking nice; it helps them communicate their ideas more clearly, which enhances their understanding and retention of the material. When their work is clear, they’re more likely to comprehend and remember what they’ve learned.
4. Instills Pride and Responsibility
Exercise books are not just tools for learning; they are also a record of your son’s progress and growth. Keeping these books organised and in good condition helps instill a sense of responsibility in your son. It also nurtures a sense of pride in their education. When students see their hard work reflected in their neat and well-kept books, they gain confidence in their abilities. Encourage them to take ownership of their work, celebrate their achievements (big or small), and remind them that the effort they put into their assignments will directly influence their learning.
5. Provides a Record of Progress
Exercise books provide a tangible record of your son’s academic journey. Whether it’s solving problems in math or developing writing skills, these books capture your son’s progress over time. Reviewing an exercise book from the beginning of the school year to the end is a great way to see how much your child has learned, as well as the areas that may need further attention.
6. Helps Build Good Study Habits
When students use an exercise book regularly, they are developing important study habits. Writing down notes, solving problems, and completing exercises on their own helps them build independence and consistency. These habits will serve them well throughout their academic careers and beyond.
7. Encourages a Growth Mindset
The exercise book is a space where mistakes are part of the learning process. As your son works through challenges, they are learning that mistakes are simply stepping stones to improvement. This helps cultivate a growth mindset, where effort and perseverance are valued over innate talent. Over time, this mindset builds resilience and a positive attitude toward learning.
While exercise books may seem like simple tools, they play a vital role in your son’s academic and personal development. By encouraging active engagement, fostering creativity, and helping to build important habits, these books are invaluable assets on your son’s learning journey. So, the next time you see your son’s exercise book, remember—it’s not just filled with exercises, it’s filled with opportunities for growth.
Cecilia Batista
Wellbeing
Welcome back to Term 1. We hope that you all managed some rest and relaxation over the break.
The Wellbeing Team is excited for the year ahead. There are a number of projects in the pipeline that will assist the students in their support while at the College.
The Year coordinators for 2025 are as below. I have every faith that they will provide the utmost care and support to the young men in their cohort.
The College has dedicated a space in the College for a Wellbeing Space. This space is designed for students who may need some down time and time to process and regulate their emotions. This space will be open to students under the supervision of the year coordinator or myself. The plan is to open the space at recess and lunch for those who may need some additional social support.
In 2024 the College collectively focussed on attendance. All HCT teachers and Year coordinators worked together to improve the overall whole school attendance. The College managed a 4% increase in attendance over the year, which is a testament to the hard work of the staff in collaboration with all of our wonderful families. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Holy Cross Community for ensuring that your sons attend every single day. If the students are not at school, then they are unable to learn.
As such, Sydney Catholic Schools have updated their policy on the appropriate timeframe around the explanations of absences. Please note that there will no longer be 365 days to be able to explain your son's absence. Parents will have 7 Days to explain an absence before it automatically becomes unexplained.
Dear Parents/Carers,
We are writing to inform you of a change in the process for submitting absence explanations in Compass.
In line with the NSW Education Act 1990 and the Sydney Catholic Schools Attendance Policy, this process will change from the beginning of 2025. Going forward, parents and carers will have up to 7 days following an absence to provide an explanation. After this period, any unexplained absence will automatically be recorded as such.
If there are rare and extenuating circumstances requiring an explanation beyond this timeframe, a designated school staff member may update the absence code where appropriate.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Year 7 Transition
It is my absolute pleasure to announce that the Year 7 students have had a stellar start to College life. They have completely engaged in the lessons and structure that the College has to offer and have settled in nicely. It is absolutely lovely to see them socialise in the playground and include each other in a number of activities.
The Year 7 cohort will be having their individual school photos on Friday. Can you please ensure that ALL students are in their correct summer uniform.
Finally, Thank you to the year 7 parents for entrusting us with your boys at the College.
School Counselling
The College continues to have a strong working relationship with Catholic Care and the School Counselling program here at the College. We are fortunate to have Kathryn join our team this year. We know that Kathryn will provide a high standard of care to those whom she supports.
Melissa Rutter
Dear Parents and Carers,
School Fees:
Sydney Catholic Schools will be emailing your fee statement for 2025 from 15 February 2025.
All accounts from 2024 should now be up to date unless you are on a payment plan agreed upon with accounts. If you are in arrears, please attend to this as soon as you can. To make a payment the BPay details are on the top right corner of your statement. Alternatively, you can make a payment via the Compass Portal.
When you receive your statement of fees for 2025 please ensure your payment frequency is correct. If you would like it changed to weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly or yearly, please email the accounts department on the email below with your name, your son’s name and your chosen frequency. Please note that if you choose the quarterly option this will mean 3 payments due – 1st payment in Term 1, 2nd payment in Term 2 and the final payment in Term 3.
Enquiries should be directed to Ms Anne Hemmings, the College Bursar at accounts@hccryde.syd.edu.au.
If you are experiencing financial difficulty, you are encouraged to contact me for a confidential discussion to determine if you qualify for fee support from Sydney Catholic Schools. My email is renita.gibson@syd.catholic.edu.au.
Building News:
The demountable classrooms have been installed and fitted out and are already in use.
The Canteen is still an ongoing project. For now, the canteen will continue to operate out of the existing location.
The Fintan O’Neill building is undergoing extensive maintenance. The scaffolding will be in place for most of Term 1. The repair work will not impact students however please be aware if you are driving through the driveway that there are tradespeople about.
Parking, drop off and pick up:
We ask that when you are on site that you adhere to the no parking, no stopping and disabled only signs. These are in place to ensure the students safety when being dropped off or picked up. Please do not park or sit idle in front of any of the College gates as these are in frequent use by the College. The disabled only parking is for vehicles with a disabled sticker only.
I wish you and your son a happy 2025
Kind regards,
To apply, simply follow the below steps:
1. Click the cog wheel on the top right-hand side of your existing parent Compass account and then “Family and Enrolments” in the drop-down.
2. If you are applying for your currently enrolled child please click on their name in Student Profile, complete the profile to get to 100% and you will then be able to create an application. You must select at least two school preferences to submit.
3. For new students (not in a Sydney Catholic School), please create a new student profile before submitting an application. You must select at least two school preferences to submit.
4. Upon submission, you'll receive a confirmation email, and your Compass account will display the status as “submitted.”
Here is a step-by-step guide if you need assistance.
Feel free to share this information with friends, family, and community members who may be interested in enrolment at our College.
Donations have been delivered to St Merkorious charity! Thank you to the entire Holy Cross community for your acts of giving to those in need.
The new Taleb Uniform shop will operate on the following days:Monday 8.00am to 10.00amWednesday 3.00pm to 5.00pmThe online platform will be active in the next few weeks.
Taleb Uniform Shop is
Located in the Bishop Carroll Building
(30m down pathway from Chapel)
Mail sent from the Stakeholder Liaison Team, Customers Systems and Operations  Further information can be found at transportnsw.info/school-travel
Enquiries can be submitted at transportnsw.info/passes-concessions-feedback
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