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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20 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Today, our staff spent the day engaged in Formation, taking time to reflect, learn, and grow together. Days like today strengthen who we are as a Catholic community and deepen the way we serve our students and families. We look forward to carrying this learning into the term ahead! See you all tomorrow!
19 Apr 2026
From Facebook
What's on at OLA this week? We are looking forward to welcoming our beautiful students back to school on Tuesday, 21st April!
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20 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Today, our staff spent the day engaged in Formation, taking time to reflect, learn, and grow together. Days like today strengthen who we are as a Catholic community and deepen the way we serve our students and families. We look forward to carrying this learning into the term ahead! See you all tomorrow!
19 Apr 2026
From Facebook
What's on at OLA this week? We are looking forward to welcoming our beautiful students back to school on Tuesday, 21st April!
18 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Year 3 ended their Science unit with an absolute bang! Ranger Jamie visited for a hands‑on Forces Incursion, and our students explored pushes, pulls, friction, and gravity through exciting demonstrations and experiments. Thank you to the Year 3 teachers for organising this!
18 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Our Year 2 students wrapped up the term with a brilliant STEM challenge: How can we get the billy goats safely across to another island? Students explored materials, tested their ideas, and engineered solutions. Such clever little designers!
18 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Kindergarten finished the term as weather reporters! After learning about science and weather, students proudly presented their own forecasts. Such a fun and confident end to the term!
18 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to our students who ended the term receiving an Outstanding Achievement and St Francis award!
17 Apr 2026
From Facebook
06 Apr 2026
From Facebook
To finish the term, Year 5 designed and made their own animal adaptations, thinking carefully about how different features help animals live in their environments. They proudly shared their creations with Year 1 and Year 6, who were amazed by the detail and imagination!
06 Apr 2026
From Facebook
To finish the term, Year 4 took on an exciting Design & Make task: building a floating boat. Students experimented with materials, tested buoyancy, and made adjustments to improve their designs. Lots of teamwork, curiosity, and proud smiles as their creations hit the water!
06 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Last Wednesday, Kindergarten enjoyed a wonderful incursion with The Drama Toolbox, where they journeyed into the Land of Fairytales. The children explored characters, settings, and storytelling through drama, bringing their favourite tales to life with so much imagination and joy.
06 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Last week, our Kindergarten and Year 6 buddies loved spending time together, exchanging Easter cards, and creating special Easter baskets. Such a joyful way to celebrate the season.
05 Apr 2026
From Facebook
On behalf of Mr Calabria, Mr Cauchi and all of our OLA staff, we wish our families and community a Happy and Holy Easter. May this season bring you peace, joy, and the blessings of God’s love. We hope our students enjoy a well-deserved break over the next two weeks!