Background

Established in 1881 by the Sisters of Charity, Bethlehem College Ashfield has a long and proud tradition of excellence in educating young women for the future.

Each graduate of the College is able to look back on her years at Bethlehem College and see the many and varied opportunities that she has had to grow in her Catholic faith, to develop as a life-long learner and a confident, creative and critical thinker in order to be a caring and responsible member of our global society.

The Bethlehem Tradition Continues Today

Our College Motto, “Este Fideles’ – Be Faithful – is an ideal for our community, as we strive to be faithful to God, to ourselves and to each other. The Bethlehem College Tradition developed over 130 years gives students a sense of belonging, pride and confidence, as they move into the challenges of life after school.

Within our Catholic tradition, we help our students develop into confident young women of faith, who are creative and collaborative thinkers, sharing a love of learning and striving for excellence. Bethlehem students are courageous in mind and deed and are global citizens with a genuine concern for others.

Bethlehem College is a very safe school environment where gospel values are lived out each day and where the students put their faith into action, through initiatives such as St. Vincent de Paul Night Patrol, Peer Reading, Faith in Action Group and the CARE team who lead the College in environmental stewardship.

Bethlehem Curriculum

The teaching and learning experiences at Bethlehem College are innovative and responsive to the variety of students’ interests and abilities, whether they are in the classroom or in the rich extra-curricular life of the college. The college has a very broad curriculum, so that all students can experience success by choosing subjects that cater for their needs and interests.

Our Gifted and Talented Program includes a selective stream, acceleration in courses, a differentiated program of study and enrichment opportunities. Technology is integrated throughout the curriculum as a vital part of learning and developing our students as creative users of technology.

Year after year, Bethlehem College students excel in a variety of areas. Some of the more recent achievements include:

• Winner of the 2011 CEO Cyber Safety Competition
• 1st Place in 2010 Australian Historical Investigation Competition
• 2010 HSC 86% of ATAR candidates offered First Round Offer at University and 30% of ATAR candidates on the Distinguished Achievers List
• 2011 finalists in the Catholic Schools Public Speaking Competition
• 2010 winner of the UNSW John Shaw Memorial Award in Town Planning
• 2010 Quality Teachers Award - John Martin
• 2009 & 2008 Burwood Lions Youth of the Year
• 2009 Ashfield Council’s Young Citizen of the Year Award
• People’s Choice and Curator’s Prize, 2009 Ashfield Council Youth Art Exhbition
• 2010 & 2009 Finalists in NSW State Brain BeeChallenge
• 2009 winners Royal Australian Chemical Institute Titration competion
• 2010 & 2009 Finalists in the National Silk Cut Aware for Linocut prints art competition
• 2nd Place in NSW Young Scientist Awards – 2008
• Regional finals of Rostrum Voice of Youth, 1st Place 2008
• State Finalist at Rostrum Voice of Youth, Parliament House, 2008
• 2008, 2009 & 2010 Hiroshima Peace Prize Competition
• 2010 & 2008 Australian Vocational student prize.
• 2011 CGSSSA Athletics 1st prize Shot Put, Discus and Javelin
• 2011 CGSSSA Swimming 1st place 50m Butterfly
• 1st place 2010 CCCNSW Athletics Shot Put

Performing Arts Program

With the building of our new College Hall, Drama Hall and Music Hall, Bethlehem College hosts the Archdiocese Performing Arts Program (CaSPA), with our teachers involved in the Dance program. Music, Drama and Dance are offered through to HSC level.

Bethlehem College students are provided with various opportunities to perform; Annual Awards Night, Musical performances, Film making programs, College Talent Quests and other events developing our students’ self-confidence, speaking and presentation skills. Performing Arts scholarships are available in the areas of Music, Dance and Drama.

Sports Program

The promotion of a healthy lifestyle is a significant feature of the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education curriculum at the College. Sporting prowess is encouraged through involvement in a range of school-based and representative sports. The College competes in the CGSSSA sports competition, State and National competitions, as well as the MCC competition held weekly. Sports Scholarships are awarded also awarded each year.

Pastoral Care & Student Leadership Program

Respect and concern for the individual and her needs are central to life at Bethlehem College. Our Pastoral Care program seeks to nurture the development of each student – spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, physically and socially.

Opportunities also abound for students to take up leadership positions across a broad spectrum of areas, such as the Student Representative Council, House Captains, Peer Support Program, Student Ambassadors, Transport Monitors and Social Justice Teams.

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