ACU Cardinal Pell Leadership Program
ACU Cardinal Pell Leadership Program
3 Weeks in Term 4 (15 November - 7 December 2026)
The ACU Cardinal Pell Leadership Program was established by Australian Catholic University (ACU) in 2018 in collaboration with Sydney Catholic Schools. The program runs for three weeks, i.e. two weeks in Rome and one week in London. It includes a structured series of short readings from key historical texts, lectures and discussions, and guided visits to sites in and around Rome and London which are significant to the story of the Catholic faith and the development of Western culture and society. Schools are invited to nominate one Year 11 student from their school for this program. Please note only 11 applications will be successfully shortlisted to participate each year.
The aim of the program is to provide leadership formation for school leavers through an immersion in the Catholic tradition and Western civilisation. The program focuses on some of the major themes arising from the history of the Church and the development of the West, using a range of teaching modes and learning activities. It aims to deepen participants’ reflections on their own faith and sharpen their curiosity about the traditions to which they belong, as a foundation for their own leadership and service after school.
The program explores themes such as the way Christianity transformed the Roman world, the role of the monasteries in keeping learning alive after the fall of Rome, the impact of Christian ideas and art during the Renaissance, the Reformation and the conflicts over religion which followed from it, the ways in which religion and politics have been entangled in Western history, the influence of Christianity in shaping Western ideas of law and parliamentary democracy, and Catholic social teaching and the modern papacy up to Pope Francis.
Contact: Lee Ann Xavier on 0436 816 386 or leeann.xavier@scs.catholic.edu.au for further information.
Date TBA
The Archbishop of Sydney Awards for Student Excellence is an annual recognition of the outstanding young women and men of faith in our Catholic schools. It is an important way of highlighting the very positive contribution that young people make to their school and local communities. The award specifically recognises those young people who give witness to their Christian values and contribute actively to the faith life of the school and parish. Most importantly, these young people are practising Catholics who show responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the Catholic faith community.
While being conferred on only one year 12 student, each school is asked to nominate three students for this award. Each nomination should include evidence of how the nominee has made a unique and positive contribution to the life and ministry of the Catholic Church beyond the boundaries of the ‘school gate’. Each nomination requires the endorsement of the principal and a priest.
Nominees and their respective school principals will be notified via email of the outcome of their nomination, following the selection by the Archbishop of Sydney. Award winners and their families (up to 3 people) will be invited to attend the Award Ceremony. Further information will be provided to schools and nominees closer to the date of the event.
Venues: St Mary's Cathedral College Hall, Sydney.
Time: Arrival time is between 8.00 a.m. - 8.30 a.m. for check-in.
Registration: Further information will be provided to schools closer to the date of this event.
Funding: System release funding is not available for this event.
Cost: All event costs are covered by Sydney Catholic Schools.
Contact: Isabella Fichera on 0455 111 212 or isabella.fichera001@scs.catholic.edu.au.
Date in November 2026 TBC.
The annual Archbishop's Student Leadership Forum is held by Archbishop Anthony Fisher for newly appointed secondary school student leaders. It gives the opportunity for our school leaders to delve deeper into the definition of leadership and how they as student leaders in our Catholic Schools can enhance the direction of their schools.
Theme: TBA
Venue: St Mary’s Cathedral College Hall
Time: 8.30am-12:00pm
Contact: Isabella Fichera on 0455 111 212 or isabella.fichera001@scs.catholic.edu.au.
Date TBC.
The Australian Catholic Youth Festival is a national gathering of Catholic young people and was established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC). The Festival exists to provide young people with opportunities to deepen their relationship with Jesus, be empowered to be disciples in the world today, and encounter and celebrate the vitality of the Catholic Church in Australia.
Feedback from students and teachers who have participated in previous ACYFs has been overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on the quality and variety of activities, dialogue, workshops, and prayer and worship opportunities.
Sydney Catholic Schools hopes to subsidise up to 300 students from Years 9-10-11 to attend the Festival as well as 50 accompanying school staff.
Theme: TBA.
Venue: TBA.
Time: Arrival time on Day 1 is 9.30 a.m. for registration and check-in. Departure time on Day 2 is 2:00 p.m.
Registration: Further details will be released regarding student and staff registration leading up to ACYF 2026.
Funding: One day of release funding will be provided for all school staff supervising students to attend the ACYF26 in Melbourne.
Contact: Robert Haddad via robert.haddad@scs.catholic.edu.au.
*Cancellation Fees: Participants withdrawing from this event must provide at least 7 days notice prior to the start of the event, otherwise schools will be liable to pay the event cost in full.
Option 1: Monday, 1 - Tuesday, 2 June
Option 2: Thursday, 4 - Friday, 5 June
These retreat options are offered to Year 7-8-9 students participating in the Pope Francis Secondary Award program for 2026. The Pope Francis Award is a service-based initiative involving 45 hours of formation and service in schools and parishes. These retreat options will offer students an immersive experience of prayer, sacramental participation and reflection, focussing on the importance of being a witness in the context of school and parish life.
Theme: Chosen.
Venue: Benedict XVI Retreat Centre (347 Grose Wold Road, Grose Vale).
Time: Arrival time on Day 1 is 8.30 a.m. for registration and check-in. Departure time on Day 2 is 3:00 p.m.
Registration: By invitation only for Year 7-8-9 students participating in the Pope Francis Awards Secondary program.
Funding: System release funding is available for accompanying school staff.*
Cost: All retreat costs are met by Sydney Catholic Schools.*
Limit: 100 students, plus one accompanying staff member per school.
Contact: John Mannah on 0455 093 865 or john.mannah@scs.catholic.edu.au.
*Cancellation Fees: Participants withdrawing from this retreat must provide at least 7 days notice prior to the start of the retreat, otherwise schools will be liable to pay the retreat cost in full.
Date TBA.
Purpose Conference is the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney’s youth conference and falls within the larger ‘Purpose’ youth ministry framework led by Sydney Catholic Youth. Purpose conference presents the Catholic faith to young people in engaging, inspiring and age-appropriate ways. The conference will include a festival, music ministry, expo, competitions and prizes, powerful faith talks by international and local speakers, and celebration of the sacraments. Schools will be invited to organise groups of students to be part of the Purpose Conference 2026.
Location: Rosebank College (1A Harris Road, Five Dock NSW 2046)
Time: 9.00 a.m. - 3.00 p.m.
Audience: Years 9-12
Contact: Anita Finneran on 0410 200 529 or finnerana@scs.catholic.edu.au.
Each year, elected school leaders will be joined by Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP to engage in table discussions, and hear about his vision for young people within the Archdiocese, in particular the leadership of young Catholics in SCS schools across the Archdiocese.
Nominated participants from SCS schools will receive further information closer to the date of the event. It is being held on:
Group A - Tuesday, 21 April
Group B - TBC
Group C - Wednesday, 6 May
Venues: Cathedral House, Sydney
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Registration: Further information will be provided to schools closer to the date of this event.
Funding: System release funding is not available for this event.
Cost: All event costs are covered by Sydney Catholic Schools.
Contact: Isabella Fichera on 0455 111 212 or isabella.fichera001@scs.catholic.edu.au.
Friday, 11 September
The annual Clancy Prize Exhibition is open to all Sydney Catholic Schools secondary students. It is a celebration of our students’ creativity and spirituality, expressed through visual arts, inspired by Cardinal Edward Clancy.
Theme: TBA.
Facilitator: Sydney Catholic Schools.
Venue: McGlade Gallery, Australian Catholic University, Strathfield Campus.
Time: 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: Ivanka Rancic on 0419 302 458 or ivanka.rancic@scs.catholic.edu.au.
Wednesday, 12 August
Year 7-8-9 students from across the Archdiocese of Sydney are invited to attend this event which is a collaboration between Sydney Catholic Schools and Sydney Catholic Youth. It is a day of music, prayer and talks from a variety of speakers.
Theme: Take Courage.
Venues: TBC.
Time: Arrival time is 9.00 a.m. for registration and check-in. Departure time is 2.00 p.m.
Registration: Further information will be provided to schools closer to the date of this event.
Funding: System release funding is not available for this event.
Cost: All event costs are covered by Sydney Catholic Schools.
Accreditation: Participation in this day equates to 4 hours of formation for RE Currency under the requirements of the ‘Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead in Sydney Catholic Schools’ policy.
Limit: Approximately 20 students/staff per school.
Contact: John Mannah on 0455 093 865 or john.mannah@scs.catholic.edu.au.
Images on the right are from the events listed on this page.
They include images from the Student Leaders' Lunch with the Archbishop of Sydney, the Archbishop's Awards for Student Excellence, the ACU Cardinal Pell Leadership Program and the Evangelisation Days for students, from previous years.
Each event celebrates a deepening faith and commitment to social justice that SCS students exemplify in their day to day life. These events recognise the high achievers in their respective fields and give students the opportunity to have their accomplishments recognised and celebrated, while allowing them the opportunity to meet and talk to the Archbishop of Sydney.
Please refer to the Contact listed for each event should you have further queries regarding any of these events.