| Holy Cross College517 Victoria Road Ryde NSW2112 Tel: 02 9808 1033 Fax: 02 9809 7207 Email: info@hccryde. catholic.edu.au Website: www.holycrosscollege. org Key Details Type: Catholic Level: Secondary Gender: Boys Religious Affiliation: Catholic History and Tradition Holy Cross College is a Catholic school established in the tradition of the Patrician Brothers. In 1808 Bishop Daniel Delany established in Ireland the Congregation of the Brothers of St Patrick and sought to have the youth of his native land instructed in the principles and lifestyle of the Gospels. The Patrician Brothers arrived in New South Wales in 1883 opening a Boarding College at Ryde in 1891. The College moved to its present site in 1896. The great sandstone edifice which is now a landmark of the district gradually rose on the heights above the Parramatta River. Now in its third century Holy Cross College has established a long and rich tradition of academic cultural and sporting success. Community life in the College is imbued with the Patrician charism of welcome Hospitality Hard work and care for others. With expansive grounds Heritage buildings and a long and proud sporting and academic tradition Holy Cross continues to serve the Sydney Catholic community as an outstanding day school for boys Years 7-12. Catholic Life and Spirituality Inspired by the call of the Patrician charism to see the face of Christ in all we meet each day life and learning at Holy Cross College sees Christ at its core. The values of the Gospel inform and guide the selection preparation and presentation of all learning programs. The college welcomes families of all faith traditions who are supportive of the development of their son within this Catholic school culture. Formal Religious Education classes college prayer life liturgies retreats and reflection days form the basis for the development of the faith life of students. Respectful of the diversity of boy’s different points on their personal faith journey we invite all students to learn and grow from the richness of the Catholic tradition. Each year important landmarks in the lives of the students such as senior graduation and the significant days in the liturgical calendar are proudly celebrated in the tradition of the Catholic faith. The College places a strong emphasis on Social Justice issues and students are encouraged to engage actively in some form of community services. Pastoral Care Holy Cross College strives to build a community that respects the rights of each individual. Clear expectations are outlined to all students in relation to acceptable standards of behaviour and dress. The College seeks to produce Patrician men who understand that to live life as one for others will hep them to reach their full potential and lead deeply satisfying lives. Time is provided to formally address pastoral issues within the classroom. Each Year group is led by a Year Co-ordinator who works with a team of Homeroom Teachers. The Learning Support Department has a special role to extend gifted students and support students with specific learning difficulties. Counselling services are provided for students who are experiencing personal difficulties or who require support due to family circumstances. Learning - The Whole Person Holy Cross College strives to provide students with experiences across a broad curriculum. Students are supported by dedicated and experienced teachers with a desire to develop the full potential of each individual. The College has a long and proud tradition of success in many sports. Cultural and recreational activities are also provided with many students involved in music drama debating and public speaking. The College offers a wide variety of subjects across all Key Learning Areas to enable students to work towards completing the School Certificate and Higher School Certificate and meet the requirements set out by the NSW Board of Studies. Middle Schooling Program Students entering the College in Year 7 will have a core teacher who will work with them in at least three subjects thus easing the transition into high school. This model is continued into Year 8. The team of core teachers work together to meld the curriculum outcomes across the several subjects they teach thus ‘buying back’ class time and providing greater opportunity to engage in project-based learning using notebook computers. This approach to junior secondary schooling allows teachers to know students and their needs well and thus better cater for them. This approach to learning also encourages boys to ‘learn how to learn’ equipping them better for the greater independence and autonomy that come in the later high school years. Information Communication Technology (ICT) With sophisticated equipment supporting teaching and learning Holy Cross College is a leader in ICT in education. Higher School Certificate results in ICT have in recent years been up to ten points above State average. The College possesses extensive computer facilities including a new state-of-the-art Technology and Applied Studies (TAS) complex. Notebook computers are widely used by students throughout the school with the option of a purchase/lease program to assist families who with their sons to have a personal notebook for home and school. |