Recently, Year 5 went on an overnight camp to Bathurst to learn more about the Gold Rush and life on the goldfields in the 1850s.
Here are a few recounts from the students about their experiences.
Bathurst by Katia L
Bathurst was an amazing adventure. It was a cracker of a time which the whole Year 5 LOVED!
- We learnt lots of new things such as:
- Gold is heavier than lead
- Gold is used in the making of phones
- It took 12 men to carry the world’s biggest golden nugget
- Ned Kelly, the famous bushranger, committed over 70 crimes
- Ben Hall - was known for committing over 600 crimes and heaps more!!!!
We had an awesome experience and would like to thank our teachers who took such good care of us while we were there.
Bathurst by Logan H
As soon as I stepped onto the goldfields, I knew it would be a great experience. The day started with a quick, thirty-minute panning session which I knew nothing about- and I found NOTHING.
As much as it was hard work, I had a great time being a horse for a whim. That day was great. The night was a different story because SOMEONE was snoring the whole entire night, but still I slept pretty easily.
The next morning, I woke up to a fresh start and a beautiful sunrise. After a yummy, hot breakfast, we visited the Australia Bathurst courthouse that was built in 1872. We had fun in the museum seeing the old artifacts related to the history of Bathurst and the gold rush.
On our return trip, we made a number of stops, the last being Scenic World where our experience went from the terrifying railway to the more peaceful cableways. We arrived at school to our waiting parents and headed home.
Bathurst by Julia Z
In Bathurst, we got to go to different places such as the Goldfields, Bathurst Courthouse and Museum and Mount Panorama and got to learn and have fun at the same time.
We also went to Scenic World and the Three Sisters in Katoomba. We got to relive lots of things we have read about in books. and the things they didn’t enjoy we did!
At night time, we participated in some aboriginal art and boomerang throwing. As you can probably tell, I, and the rest of year five, really enjoyed it! I can’t wait for the next overnight camp.
Click here to download and view other pictures from the day
Our Lady of the Angels Primary | Rouse Hill
www.olarousehill.catholic.edu.au
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23 Jul 2026
From Facebook
* OLA Fiesta – Raffle Tickets – Now due to be returned Raffle ticket books need to be returned by this Friday, 24 July 2026. Any unsold books/tickets must also be returned, as they need to be accounted for by the Parish as part of their accountability for the NSW Raffle Rules. Payment for the tickets can also be made by BPoint using the link: https://www.bpoint.com.au/pay/olotangelsparish/?billercode=2059327 Families that return their Ticket Books by this Friday will go into the draw to win a $100 Wish Gift Card (max 1 entry per family). * OLA Fiesta- Volunteers With the Fiesta almost upon us, we would appreciate additional volunteers. If you are able to volunteer for an hour to assist on the day, could you please register your availability via https://forms.gle/BUdJaCuuUWg6f6U27 Your generosity is very much appreciated to help share the load so that everyone can enjoy the Fiesta and make it a successful day.
22 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Our Wacky Wager video!! And then there were 2 more buckets left over, so Mr Calabria was slimed even more!!
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23 Jul 2026
From Facebook
* OLA Fiesta – Raffle Tickets – Now due to be returned Raffle ticket books need to be returned by this Friday, 24 July 2026. Any unsold books/tickets must also be returned, as they need to be accounted for by the Parish as part of their accountability for the NSW Raffle Rules. Payment for the tickets can also be made by BPoint using the link: https://www.bpoint.com.au/pay/olotangelsparish/?billercode=2059327 Families that return their Ticket Books by this Friday will go into the draw to win a $100 Wish Gift Card (max 1 entry per family). * OLA Fiesta- Volunteers With the Fiesta almost upon us, we would appreciate additional volunteers. If you are able to volunteer for an hour to assist on the day, could you please register your availability via https://forms.gle/BUdJaCuuUWg6f6U27 Your generosity is very much appreciated to help share the load so that everyone can enjoy the Fiesta and make it a successful day.
22 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Our Wacky Wager video!! And then there were 2 more buckets left over, so Mr Calabria was slimed even more!!
22 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Today, Mr Calabria and Mr Cauchi settled their fun Wacky Wager, much to the delight of our students! Buckets of bright pink slime sealed the deal for 2026, creating a moment of pure joy for the students and teachers! It was definitely a day filled with faith, FUN, and learning at OLA. A huge thank you to Mr Calabria and Mr Cauchi for making our school not only an outstanding place to learn, but a place where memories are made- memories our students will carry with them forever!
21 Jul 2026
From Facebook
The first Sunday of the school holidays called for a little friendly OLA footy rivalry! Mr Calabria and Mr Cauchi headed along to the Parramatta Eels vs Manly Sea Eagles clash to cheer on their teams. Let's just say... Mr Cauchi walked away the happier of the two! Now all eyes are on tomorrow, when our wacky wager will be settled!
19 Jul 2026
From Facebook
17 Jul 2026
What's It Really Like to Send Your Kid to a Catholic School?
If you've ever assumed that attending a Catholic school means you have to be Catholic and that the fees are expensive, you're not alone. It's a common perception, but for many families, the reality looks quite different.
15 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Holiday time means extra reading time- the school holidays are the perfect chance for our OLA readers to make progress on the Premier’s Reading Challenge! There's not long to go until it closes. With a little extra time to unwind and get lost in a book, it’s a great opportunity to tick off a few more titles from your list. We love seeing these familiar faces soaking up quiet reading moments these holidays- proof that reading can happen anywhere, anytime. We hope these photos make you smile! At OLA, we 'READ TO SUCCEED'!
08 Jul 2026
CSPD students recognised in Refugee Week Creative Competition
Over 125 students from 10 Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) schools have been recognised for their empathy and powerful storytelling as part of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Australia Refugee Week Creative Competition.
05 Jul 2026
From Facebook
It's an OLA rival game in the footy today!!! Who will win? Looks like we have another Wacky Wager to look forward to when we return to school in a few weeks!!
04 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Year 2 finished the term with a fantastic HSIE excursion to Longneck Lagoon EEC. They learnt about the ways people connect to and care for places, water environments, and each other, using geographical information. It was so much fun!! Thank you to our Year 2 teachers for organising this, and our wonderful parent helpers who joined us and helped on the day!
