Providing a range of co-curricular opportunities is important to us because we value each child’s individual skills and interests, and we want to give every opportunity for students to grow and further their potential.
Sport
Our extensive program features over 30 sports, ensuring every student can find their passion, stay active, and be part of a team. We are dedicated to fostering involvement at all levels, from social sport focused on fun and fitness to challenging inter-school competitions. A key part of our weekly sport structure is our participation in the Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Sports program, which sees our teams compete every Thursday.
Beyond this, a clearly defined representative pathway is available to our most gifted sportsmen. This structured program is designed to nurture their talent, providing the opportunity to reach their full potential and compete at regional, state, and national levels. We are incredibly proud of our strong track record, which is evidenced by the many Holy Cross sportsmen who, in recent years, have earned selection to represent their state and country at schoolboy level.
Debating and public speaking
Debating and public speaking are fun, exciting and challenging events. Every year, the college competes in the CSDA Debating and Public Speaking competition as well as local oratory competitions. Students and teams in each year group compete against local schools to make it to the finals. Holy Cross College has a proud tradition of success and many students have used this opportunity to develop leadership capacity.
Chess
Holy Cross College takes part in the NSW Junior Chess League Northern Region competition along with newly formed Sydney Catholic Schools competition which allows competitors to interact with chess players from a range of other schools. The college has the opportunity to host the competition throughout the year which provides the boys with an opportunity to compete, socialise and showcase our Patrician culture welcome and hospitality.
Band
Holy Cross College has a long and proud Band tradition stretching back though the history of the college. Acting on the latest brain development research, through the Amadeus Music Program, all Year 7 students are given an instrument and tuition and participate in the Beginner Band. They also have the option of continuing on in Intermediate Band or Senior Band, both of which have had great success in recent years in the Ryde Eisteddfod, the Sydney Catholic Schools Eisteddfod and the Granny Smith Festival. They also perform at assemblies, the college open day and go on tours of the local primary schools.
Choir
Holy Cross College is a school that sings! At every assembly and mass the whole student body raises the roof with their combined voices in a joyful demonstration of school spirit. Students who wish to develop singing skills further have the option of joining the college choir, a mixed year group ensemble which rehearses once a week to prepare songs to lead the college for liturgies as well as perform a wide range of repertoire for college assemblies, open day and the Sydney Catholic Schools Eisteddfod.
Cadet Program
Holy Cross College is proud to be a member school of the Australian Army Cadets (ACC); a program that is at the heart of the college’s tradition as far back as 1909. Our college is the only systemic Catholic school to offer a school-based Cadet Unit in NSW.
Taking part in this program, provides opportunities for our students to develop self-confidence, resilience, leadership skills, self-reliance, teamwork, respect and discipline while at the same time challenging them in ways that other extracurricular opportunities seldom provide.