Busy but fun day.
Year 3, together with their teachers and five amazing parent helpers, travelled by bus and river cat to Cockatoo Island.
We split into groups and were given a tour of the island by our guides for the day. It was a fantastic opportunity to experience what life might have been like in the past, particularly for early convicts. Needless to say, we all came home with a new appreciation for life in the present and look forward to what the future brings.
Here are some of the highlights:
I loved the whole excursion. It was great to travel on public transport, especially the river cat. We got to see how convicts lived. It would have been a hard life. I’m glad that things have changed.
Mia
My favourite part of the Cockatoo Island excursion was walking through the dog leg tunnel. It was a brilliant experience to see how long, and old the tunnel was.Owen
This was my first time travelling by ferry. I loved it. If I was a convict, I would have found it very hard to live in one small room with 50 other convicts, sharing EVERYTHING, and I mean EVERYTHING!
Joel
I enjoyed the whole Cockatoo Island experience. It was my first time there. I got to see how convicts lived a long time ago and how much things have changed now.
Bella
The excursion was a great opportunity to experience the past. I also enjoyed travelling by ferry and bus. Our guide Sue helped us understand what life would have been like for the people living on Cockatoo Island at the time. She was so enthusiastic.
Juliana
I was lucky enough to be selected as a parent helper on the year 3 excursion to Cockatoo Island today and wanted to pass on a few comments I had about the day.
Parent
On the way.
The children were exceptionally well behaved at all times during the excursion with other passengers on both ferry trips commenting on how well behaved and courteous the children were. A couple of times a child or two were engaged in conversation with a member of the public and their responses were polite and sensible.
I was fortunate to be with 3W for the tour and their attitude towards the learning opportunity was amazing. At all times the children were engaged and attentive to the tour guide and their questions were well thought out and reasoned which is a magnificent reflection on the way they are being taught.
Please pass on my deepest thanks to the Year 3 teachers for this wonderful excursion. The children were a shining example of how to conduct themselves in public and a wonderful reflection on OLA.
Thank you once again for everything you and your staff do. We feel very blessed to have our children attend OLA.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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18 Dec 2025
From Facebook
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18 Dec 2025
From Facebook
As we close another year, we want to give thanks for the journey we’ve shared. This year has again been filled with faith, fun, and learning, and we are so grateful for the joy, growth, and community that each of you brings to OLA. From our OLA family to yours, we wish you a wonderful Christmas surrounded by loved ones. May your days be full of health, happiness, and Christ’s blessings, and may the spirit of the season carry you into the new year with hope and peace. To all of our students, families, and friends- thank you for being part of our story. The OLA staff love and appreciate you all, and we look forward to another year together in 2026!
18 Dec 2025
From Facebook
Last night marked the final chapter of our Year 6 students’ primary school journey as we celebrated their Graduation Mass. Together we prayed and gave thanks for the guidance of their parents, OLA staff, and God throughout their seven years at primary school. We also acknowledged the achievements of students who received special awards, before finishing with a touching moment- our Year 6 students forming a guard of honour for their parents. Thank you to the Year 6 teachers, Miss Grima, and all the staff involved in this special celebration. We wish our graduates many more days filled with faith, fun, and learning as they begin their high school adventure.
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From Facebook
Yesterday, we celebrated our Year 6 students finishing their primary school journey. It was such a special moment as the whole school, together with parents, formed a guard of honour through the grounds, cheering them on as they walked proudly for the last time as OLA students. We are so proud of their achievements, their growth, and the wonderful memories they’ve created here. As they step into High School, we send them off with love, encouragement, and the reminder that they will always be part of our OLA family.
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