Reminiscing on 200 years of Catholic Education

Reminiscing on the past 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia this year has been insightful. This milestone reminds us all that, while we are able to fondly reflect on the momentous events of the past, we are also urged to consider what the future of Catholic Education in Australia has the potential to look like. With this in mind, we reached out to our College Principal, Mrs Leask. 

We are so blessed to attend a school that has been built upon Ursuline values. The honour lies with our teachers and leaders who embody the very qualities of our Patron Saint Ursula. When reflecting upon our school with Mrs Leask, it came to our attention that our College culture epitomises the very values that Saint Ursula and Saint Angela sought to inspire the world with. Mrs Leask reflected that it seems to her that our students and teachers at St Ursula’s College Kingsgrove enjoy coming to school. They are here because they are happy to be. 

A bright future for St Ursula’s

Our discussion transitioned beyond the past and present and ventured into the future prospects of the College. Mrs Leask reflected upon her wishes for the future of our school, involving not only the education we receive but the insights we will accumulate about the world beyond our College gates. Our education will be innovative, respective to the individual student and will strive to appeal to all in the ways that we are open to. Mrs Leask is hopeful that our learning will shift from a grade-centred focus to one that is more enlightening and thought-provoking, and which challenges us to consider how our education will serve us outside our school walls. Similarly, Mrs Leask has the vision of integrating our learning so that we do not isolate our subjects from one another but are able to benefit from the amalgamation of each subject’s specialities. 

Ultimately, speaking with Mrs Leask left us feeling very hopeful for the future success of our College. While we are so fortunate to be granted the opportunities we currently have access to, we are also blessed enough to be surrounded by teachers who seek to improve upon our College in every aspect. It is with this in mind that we can concurrently reflect upon how far we have come in the last 200 years and the extent that Catholic Education will continue to excel in the next 200 years.

Sophie and Siena

Year 9 Students