Notre Dame opens its gates to record crowds

There were clowns, balloons and a popcorn stand, but The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Sydney Campus Open Day was anything but a circus. The 2011 event drew record crowds into its Broadway courtyard with a sea of yellow and blue balloons beckoning visitors at the front gates. Inside, it was easy to get caught up in the festive atmosphere; when a DJ wasn’t mixing house tunes, rock band Castlecomer was providing a soundtrack for the day. Some visitors chose to sit back, relax and take advantage of the free sausage sizzle and gelato stand, while others showed off their giant chess, basketball and foosball skills. The main business of the day didn’t get lost in the hype. Thousands of prospective students were given the opportunity to speak with no less than the Deans of each School about the courses and curriculum at Notre Dame. Dr Angus Brook, Associate Dean of the School of Philosophy and Theology, presented a workshop on the Core Curriculum that sets Notre Dame apart from other universities. He also discussed the new LOGOS program, in which students undertake tailor-made philosophy and theology modules that help them gain a greater understanding of their professional fields. Student Ambassadors gave the visitors another perspective on uni life with their testimonials and Q&A panels, where they fielded questions from the audience about subjects, social events and the uni-life balance at Notre Dame. Deputy Vice Chancellor Sydney, Professor Hayden Ramsay, said the success of the day was due to the contribution of over 100 staff and student volunteers. “I was extremely impressed at the efforts of the Notre Dame community, which came together to welcome visitors to the University,” Professor Ramsay said. “Their collective effort put prospective students and their families at ease. It was wonderful to receive visitor feedback about the friendly atmosphere of the campus and how knowledgeable staff and students were in providing course information and career options.” For further information please contact: Communications Officer, Elizabeth Fenech The University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney Campus T: 02 8204 4407 E: elizabeth.fenech@nd.edu.au W: www.nd.edu.au