Holy Cross College Ryde eNewsletter

From the Archives

Dear Holy Cross College Community,

Happy New Year! I trust 2025 has commenced well for you. I would like to extend a very warm welcome to parents/guardians, students and staff as we commence our 134th year as a College community. I would especially like to welcome any new students, and their families and supporters, to our community.

Vale Judith Rooney

The Holy Cross College Old Boys Association wishes to acknowledge the death of long-time teacher librarian, Judith Rooney – known to old boys over four decades as “Miss Rooney”. What a remarkable contribution to our College community, and to boys’ education more broadly in Australia and beyond. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

College Open Day - Sunday, 2 March 2025, 10:00am-1:00pm

The College Open Day is taking place next Sunday, 2 March 2025, 10:00am-1:00pm. There will be an archives and old boys display in the Cardinal Gilroy Library. Everyone is welcome, but registration is strongly recommended via this webpage: https://hccryde.syd.catholic.edu.au/enrolment/visit-our-school.

2025 NRL tipping competition for Holy Cross College Old Boys

We kick off soon with our annual NRL tipping competition. If you are interested, please download the 'NRL Tipping' App via Google Play or the Apple Store and create an account (we ask that you set up your account so we can easily identify you by name, e.g., “FirstNameInitial Surname YearofGraduation” "ZDuke2005WestsTigers"). To join the private Holy Cross Ryde Old Boys 2025 competition, please enter the following pin number: BMICNERF or search for Holy Cross Ryde Old Boys 2025. If you require assistance, please go to https://tipping.nrl.com/help/faq. Terms and conditions can be accessed via the NRL website. Only old boys and friends of the College (approved by the HCCOBA executive committee) can join. Best of luck!

Stay tuned for some exciting projects and initiatives for 2025!

Have a great next few weeks, everyone!

In Cruce Salus,

Dr Zachariah Duke

Honorary Archivist

Old Boys, Community and Development Liaison

Executive Officer – Holy Cross College Old Boys’ Association

1935: College Roll Call (the entire student community pictured here)

1940s: A game of cricket being played on College grounds

If you are a current student, parent or friend, perhaps an ‘Old Boy’ or someone who has had a connection with the College from yesteryear, I invite you to make contact with Zach via email archives@hccryde.nsw.edu.au, or phone +61 2 9808 1033, or by completing the Old Boy/Alumni Form at http://tinyurl.com/HCCOLDBOYS.

The best way to stay connected with the College is to follow our social media channels:

Facebook - facebook.com/hccryde

Twitter - twitter.com/hccryde or @hccryde

Instagram - instagram.com/hccryde or @hccryde

YouTube - search youtube.com for “Holy Cross College, Ryde”

LinkedIn – search linkedin.com for “Holy Cross College, Ryde” & Holy Cross College Old Boys’ Association”

Holy Cross College Old Boys’ Association

The Holy Cross College Old Boys’ Association (HCCOBA) seeks to foster a continued sense of belonging to the Holy Cross College community, with all the social, networking and contributory opportunities inherent in that bond. If you are interested in joining the HCCOBA, please contact Zach via email archives@hccryde.nsw.edu.au, or phone +61 2 9808 1033.

‘Our Story’

Please contact Zach via email archives@hccryde.nsw.edu.au, or phone +61 2 9808 1033 if you would like a copy of ‘Our Story’ – a biannual publication featuring the success stories of old boys.

Memorabilia

Old Boys are encouraged to donate memorabilia, such as their blazer, boater, badges, books, etc. to the Archives Department. Please contact Zach via email archives@hccryde.nsw.edu.au, or phone +61 2 9808 1033.

Volunteers

Can you spare a couple of hours a week? The College Archives Department is seeking volunteers to assist in preserving our proud 131-year history. Tasks will include: cataloguing our historical photographs, annuals, articles and other miscellaneous correspondence; maintaining our electronic database of old boys; and undertaking some basic research. If you are reliable, self-organised, can work independently with minimal supervision, have working knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or have good writing skills, please contact Zach at archives@hccryde.nsw.edu.au, or +61 2 9808 1033. Current parents, old boys and members of our local community are welcome to express their interest. Holy Cross College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Interested candidates will need to meet all child protection compliance requirements.

Delany Foundation

The Delany Foundation is a registered not-for-profit charity seeking to improve the human and spiritual condition of young people in need especially in places of Patrician mission in developing countries, including Ghana, India, Papua New Guinea and Kenya. Consider making a donation to the Delany Foundation here:

http://www.delanyfoundation.org.au/Delany%20p7%20Donation.html