Why choose our college?
Our college is dedicated to providing quality Catholic education for young people with a moderate intellectual disability from Kindergarten – Year 12. We promote a learning environment that embraces the use of technology and encourages curiosity, enjoyment and an enthusiasm for learning which will last for life. Our college provides personalised learning opportunities in small classes with a high staff-student ratio, as well as access to allied health services including speech therapy, occupational therapy, positive behaviour support and counselling.
Principal’s Message
History
Eileen O’Connor Catholic College Lewisham was established in 2016 as the first Sydney systemic Catholic special school. The college began with an enrolment of 20 students in Year 7 and 8 and continued to grow annually to become a K–12 college that can accommodate up to 110 students.
The college has been established on a site steeped in Catholic history that is shared with a number of catholic organisations including the Parish of St Thomas of Canterbury and the Society of St Vincent de Paul. The repurposing of the site took place over multiple stages beginning with the secondary school (2016–17), followed by the primary school and the administration block (2020).
Charism
Eileen O’Connor was the co-founder of the religious order, Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor, which was charged to assist ‘the poor and the poor only’. Since its inception, the order has performed a unique ministry of healthcare, advocacy and friendship to the poor and disadvantaged in Sydney, Brisbane, Newcastle and Wollongong. Eileen was severely disabled by a fall that broke her spine when aged three but went on to live a remarkable life until her death in 1921 at just 28 years of age.
Today, the mission of Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor remains as important as ever and guides our model of service delivery here at Eileen O’Connor Catholic College.
Our Vision
Our vision is to provide an excellent standard of education, within a stimulating Catholic environment, by committed and caring professionals, with inclusion at the heart of all teaching and learning practices.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide, support and sustain innovative and dynamic teaching and learning practices that transform the lives of all our students.
Our Aims
At Eileen O’Connor Catholic College Lewisham, we aim to:
- Encourage and instil in our students a curiosity, enjoyment and enthusiasm for learning which will last for life.
- Achieve high standards of teaching and learning to enable all students to reach their full potential as individuals and as a community.
- Provide a stimulating education designed to develop the whole student that enriches them socially, emotionally, physically, intellectually, creatively, morally and spiritually.
- Foster a sense of trust and belonging within the college, parish and local community.
Eileen O’Connor Catholic College is located in the parish of St Thomas of Canterbury, Lewisham. There are strong links between school and parish including a Sacramental program, regular Masses and Liturgies. Students at the college come from all over Sydney and are encouraged to attend their local parish to continue to build their faith and relationship in their local area.
Parish Administrator: Rev Samuel Lynch
A: 5 Drynan Street, Summer Hill, NSW 2130
P: (02) 9798 6016
E: office@thomaspatrick.org.au
W: www.thomaspatrick.org.au
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 9.00am |
| Sunday | 10.30am and 5.00pm |
| Tuesday- Friday | 7.00pm |
