St Leo's Catholic College
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St. Leo's Catholic College, Wahroonga is a secondary Catholic College in north shore of Sydney New South Wales, Australia.
History
Founded in 1955 by the Congregation of Christian Brothers and blessed by the then Archbishop of Sydney Norman Cardinal Gilroy, the school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2005. Its current headmistress is Mrs. Debbie Buscall, who came to the office in 2002. She is the first headmistress in the college's history. The college was administered by Christian Brothers until 1985.
While the school has been under the direction of Debbie Buscall, the school has expanded the intake of its students including the number of students with 'special needs' such as Down's syndrome and autism. Coinciding with this influx, the school has undergone a number of renovations to increase access for the disabled, and taking advantage of a number of government subsidies. These improvements include ramps, special elevators and a substantial increase in the numbers of one-on-one teaching staff for students where it is deemed necessary.
Sports and co-curricular activities
St. Leo's takes part in a variety of Catholic schools competitions, including the Metropolitan Catholic Colleges (MCC), the Metropolitan Combined Catholic Schools (MCCS) and the Broken Bay Secondary Schools Sports Association (BBSSSA). These representative sports take place on a Thursday afternoon. Other sports students may choose are ice skating, ten pin bowling, indoor soccer, water polo, taekwondo, basketball, street dance, aerobics, rock climbing, squash, weight training, golf, tennis, fencing, table tennis, hockey and fitness training.
2007 has seen a fantastic year for athletics, with long distance (400m, 800m, 1500m) runners finishing first in most age groups at all levels.
The College provides students with a range of extra- and co-curricular activities. As well as a vast array of representative sporting activities, students of all year groups are invited to seek selection in Public Speaking, Debating, Mock Trial, Chess, and "Da Vinci Decathalon" teams.
The College conducts a musical generally once every two years, and there are many formal and informal drama and music activities (soirées, band nights); the Visual Arts Department invites students to submit works for the Leopald Art Prize and also holds art shows with the Design and Technology department; there are opportunities for students to take part in a Student exchange program with Germany and Japan.
Music
There are many opportunities for students to be involved in musical activities:
Concert Band: For beginners, as well as students who wish to take up a second instrument
Symphonic Band: Entry by audition. September 2007 will see the Symphonic Band participating at the Mungindi Music Festival.
Stage Band: For brass and saxophones, entry by audition.
Choir: Open to all students 7-12
Chamber Ensemble: Open to all students, for strings and woodwind.
Music rehearsals are held on weekdays from 7:30am - 8:15am. Choir is held Monday lunch.
Aim
The motto of the school is to develop "confident, competent Catholic young men and women of conscience."
Notable Students
One of the most famous personages to attend the college is Australian actor Mel Gibson.