Our first stop was Echo Point to see The Three Sisters.
Year 5 students from OLA, Rouse Hill, went on an overnight excursion to Bathurst. The first stop was Echo Point where we saw The Three sisters and had morning tea before we continued on our trip to Bathurst.
About two hours laters, we arrived at the Bathurst Goldfields where we started the day with gold panning. This was a lot of fun. We had a short demonstration on how to pan and finally it was our turn. Gary, our guide, gave us a pan and a mini jar for us to put our flakes of gold into. Some of were lucky to find some specks of gold while others were not so lucky.
Following this, we went to a museum and saw what mine shafts would be like and learnt about how they mined for gold. We learnt that they marked the candle to show every hour allowing miners to see how long they had mined for and when to stop.
Nicholas, Zac S, Julian, Kenneth and Felicity searching for gold.
At the end of the day, we went to the store and bought a few things to remember our time in Bathurst. Once finished we went to the bus where to collect our bags and made our way to our room. Some of us unpacked their bags, where others sat on the bed and relaxed or had a shower. For dinner we had pasta, hot chips, bread and an ice-block for dessert.
To finish the night, we sat around and listened to a story about Wahlu and the Aboriginal history of Mount Panorama before we participated in some aboriginal art.
Students cooking their damper before filling it
The next morning, we woke up and started packing our belongings. We had a yummy breakfast before we went to Bathurst’s Old Cemetery where we had a treasure hunt, etching and learnt about the history of the cemetery and some of the headstones.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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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!
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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!
03 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Today, on Good Friday, we pause to remember the incredible love and sacrifice shown by Jesus on the cross. This day invites us to slow down, reflect, and hold onto the hope, forgiveness, and faith that Good Friday reminds us of. As we think about the meaning of the cross, may we find a sense of peace and gratitude in our hearts. Wishing our OLA community a blessed and meaningful Good Friday.
02 Apr 2026
From Facebook
This week, our K–6 students took part in a beautiful and reverent Holy Week Reflection. Each class helped bring the story of Jesus’ final days to life through prayer, scripture, and quiet reflection. A big thank you to the families who came along and shared this moment with us.
02 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to our Term 1 'Student of the Term' recipients who received a Principal's Award this morning. These students were chosen by their teachers for their dedication to learning, the kindness they have shown to others, and their overall outstanding achievement this term. They also enjoyed morning tea with Mr Calabria and Mr Cauchi. Well done to these students!
01 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to Amali for being selected in the Girls Parramatta Rugby League team. We wish her all the best as she competes in May at the MacKillop Trials!
29 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Year 2 has been exploring how to take care of creation, learning that our world is a gift from God and that we have a responsibility to protect and respect the environment. As part of this learning, students became eco‑artists, using recycled materials to create artworks inspired by God’s landscapes. This hands‑on project helped them think about reusing resources, reducing waste, and caring for the earth in meaningful, creative ways.
29 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Year 1 have been busy investigating the differences between living and non‑living things, and they put their learning into action by designing and making their very own bird feeders. Students thought carefully about what birds need to survive and created feeders that would help meet those needs in our school environment. It was wonderful to see so many creative ideas come to life, and even more special to have siblings visit to see the showcase. Thank you to everyone who supported the students with ideas, equipment, encouragement, and enthusiasm!
29 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Year 3 had a fantastic time exploring forces through their Design & Make projects this week. Students planned, tested, and created their own objects to investigate how contact and non‑contact forces affect motion, while also using scientific diagrams and data to communicate their ideas. They loved sharing their work at last week's showcase. A big thank you to all the parents who came along, your support made the learning feel even more special!!