We took the bus to Meadowbank wharf and caught the RiverCat to the island. For some of the students this was the first time on a RiverCat and even a boat!
Once we were on Cockatoo Island we made our way to a giant old factory where we were introduced to our tour guides. Each student was given an outfit, which showed their role, either boss, guard or convict. We were also allocated historical people who lived and worked on Cockatoo Island in the 1700s.
On the tour we got to see where the convicts slept and ate. We saw the tremendously large silos and long tunnels the convicts dug out of the sandstone. We heard about the story of a convict who escaped off the island by swimming across the water, he later became a bushranger! Each student got to explore the solitary confinement cells that convicts were sent to if they misbehaved.
The excursion was exhausting with all the walking we did. We learnt so much about the history of Cockatoo Island...it is more than just a place where Australian Ninja Warrior was filmed!
St Bernadette's Primary Dundas
www.stbernadettesdundas.catholic.edu.au
-
24 Jul 2026
From Facebook
This morning, we were delighted to welcome our wonderful grandparents to our school for a special celebration. Our Stage 2 students led a beautiful liturgy. Grandparents also joined in some fun games that highlighted the generation gap, creating plenty of laughter and memorable moments. Afterwards, grandparents visited classrooms before enjoying a cup of tea together to conclude the celebration. A heartfelt thank you to all our grandparents for sharing this special morning with us. We are truly blessed to have you as part of our school community.
22 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Today we had the pleasure of welcoming 36 students from Tokyo Minami Tama High School to St Bernadette's for a wonderful day of cultural exchange and connection. Our students enjoyed working alongside our visitors throughout the day, sharing learning experiences, building new friendships, and discovering more about each other's cultures. We also enjoyed a delicious meal together, providing the perfect opportunity to chat, laugh, and connect. A highlight of the day was being entertained by our Japanese visitors, who delighted us with beautiful singing, patiently taught us the art of origami, and introduced us to the fun and fast-paced chopstick game! Experiences like these remind us that friendship, kindness, and curiosity transcend language and distance. We are incredibly grateful to the students and staff from Tokyo Minami Tama High School for sharing their culture and creating such special memories with our school community.
Latest News More news
24 Jul 2026
From Facebook
This morning, we were delighted to welcome our wonderful grandparents to our school for a special celebration. Our Stage 2 students led a beautiful liturgy. Grandparents also joined in some fun games that highlighted the generation gap, creating plenty of laughter and memorable moments. Afterwards, grandparents visited classrooms before enjoying a cup of tea together to conclude the celebration. A heartfelt thank you to all our grandparents for sharing this special morning with us. We are truly blessed to have you as part of our school community.
22 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Today we had the pleasure of welcoming 36 students from Tokyo Minami Tama High School to St Bernadette's for a wonderful day of cultural exchange and connection. Our students enjoyed working alongside our visitors throughout the day, sharing learning experiences, building new friendships, and discovering more about each other's cultures. We also enjoyed a delicious meal together, providing the perfect opportunity to chat, laugh, and connect. A highlight of the day was being entertained by our Japanese visitors, who delighted us with beautiful singing, patiently taught us the art of origami, and introduced us to the fun and fast-paced chopstick game! Experiences like these remind us that friendship, kindness, and curiosity transcend language and distance. We are incredibly grateful to the students and staff from Tokyo Minami Tama High School for sharing their culture and creating such special memories with our school community.
21 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Today we welcomed our school community back for Term 3! It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces and to hear all about the exciting holiday adventures and special moments everyone enjoyed. We’re looking forward to another fantastic term of learning, growth and making memories together.
20 Jul 2026
From Facebook
🎶 Join the Choir 🎶 We are incredibly fortunate to have Dr Nicholas Ng —composer & performer —leading the choir, sharing his incredible expertise with our students. He would love to welcome some extra voices to this wonderful group. Whether your child is an experienced singer or simply enjoys singing, everyone is encouraged to come along. Choir Practice: Fridays Time: 3:15 pm – 4:00 pm Location: St Bernadette's Church The choir will be preparing to perform at our Whole School Mass & Baptism in Week 3, making this a wonderful opportunity for students to share their gifts through music. If your child is interested in joining, please email: Miss Carly: clake@parra.catholic.edu.au Nicholas Ng: nicholas.ng@sydney.edu.au We look forward to welcoming many new voices to the choir! 🎵
20 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Today, our staff put our Faith into Action at Ronald McDonald House, Westmead. ❤️💛 We began the day in prayer, reflecting together and deepening our understanding of Catholic Social Teaching, reminding us of our shared call to serve others with compassion and dignity. We were privileged to tour the incredible house and see firsthand the wonderful support and facilities provided for families caring for their sick or injured children. Throughout the day, our staff served in different ways. Some took part in the Cook & Connect program, preparing a delicious lunch for the families staying at the house, while others rolled up their sleeves to tidy the gardens and clean the hired strollers, helping to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for everyone. We concluded our day with a Faith in Action reflection, making meaningful connections between our acts of service and Scripture and recognising how even small acts of kindness can make a lasting difference. "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." — Galatians 6:2 We are grateful for the opportunity to serve, to learn, and to live out our faith. Thank you to Ronald McDonald House Westmead for the warm welcome and for the incredible work you do to support families when they need it most. 💙
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.
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.
03 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Yesterday, Stage 3 proudly showcased their Science and History learning from Term 2. In Science, students demonstrated their understanding of electrical circuits by creating a circuit and explaining the transfer and transformation of energy with just one flick of a switch. For History, students presented a range of creative projects, including podcasts, videos, dioramas, board games and more, showcasing their understanding of the voting rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and women. Their engaging displays highlighted creativity and hands-on learning and they confidently shared their knowledge with visitors. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and the impressive progress they have made throughout the term. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and the confidence they displayed in celebrating their learning.
01 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Year 5 welcomed Fr Andrew to their class synod. Students collectively identified issues requiring attention and proposed potential solutions. The Year 5 synod addressed topics such as screen addiction, bullying, homelessness, poverty and school fee relief, connecting their solutions to Catholic Social Teaching and scripture. Fr Andrew commenced and concluded the synod with prayer. We appreciate Fr Andrew’s Catholic insights into these contemporary issues.
30 Jun 2026
From Facebook
23 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Today our students participated in an NRL clinic. Running, passing, tipping and lots of smiles!