Ursuline Academy of Dallas 

Reciprocal visit 2018

In 2016 St Ursula's College visited the Ursuline Academy of Dallas for the first time and during this exchange we formed a strong bond with our Dallas "sisters".  We are very excited that the Dallas girls will be joining us in Toowoomba for the next 10 days.  They have checked in, boarded their flight and will arrive at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport tomorrow.

USA Tour 2016

Monday 14th December 2016

New Rochelle

The Ursuline School - Presentation and Farewells

On Monday morning the USA Tour girls and staff joined with their host families and staff from TUS in a farewell breakfast.  The girls gave their final presentation and sang beautifully.  

We presented The Ursuline School President, Mrs Eileen Davidson with an Angela tile in recognition of our visit.

Final photos of the tour and with their host sisters.

Mrs Wendy Collins, Mrs Maria Barton, Ms Karen Ralph, Mrs Eileen Davidson (President TUS), Mr Jim Dwan and Mrs Carol Killebrew (Principal) following the presentation.

The girls are very excited to welcome their host sisters to Australia when TUS visits St Ursula's College in April!

The USA Tour has been a wonderful success cementing our Ursuline connections with Ursuline Academy Dallas, The Ursuline School New Rochelle and the Academy of Mt St Ursula Bronx.

Long lasting friendships were made with host families and some very excited USA students are keen to visit Australia!

The hospitality shown to the tour in each location was incredible.  We felt very welcomed by staff, students and host families.  We would like to thank Mrs Gretchen Kane (President UA Dallas), Dr Andrea Shurley (Principal UA Dallas), Ms Cecilia Nipp & Mrs Kathy Ross (Global Connections UA Dallas), Mrs Eileen Davidson (President TUS), Mrs Carol Killebrew (Principal TUS), Mrs Maria Barton (Global Connections TUS), Sr Jean Humphries (Principal AMSU Bronx), Sr Pat Schifini and the many staff who welcomed us. 

In particular we would like to thank the many host families who took the girls into their homes and hearts and provided them with so many opportunities to visit places the girls had only dreamed of.

  

USA Tour - Dallas to New Rochelle

Sunday 4th December 2016

Travel Day - Dallas to New Rochelle

The USA tour girls, staff and the host families met at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport early this morning for their flight to Newark.

There were some goodbye tears as we departed Dallas, but many happy memories and strong bonds have been made.

We arrived at Newark airport and were warmly greeted by The Ursuline School and transported to the campus to meet with host families.

The weather is much cooler in NYC and possible snow flurry currently predicted for Friday, so there is excitement in the air!  The girls will commence classes at TUS tomorrow morning.

USA Tour 2016 - Dallas

Friday 2nd December 2016

Final Day at Ursuline Academy

The USA Tour girls gathered this morning for their last day of classes at Ursuline Academy.

The first class on Friday was an Arabic lesson.  UA girls were doing a presentation of their family members in Arabic.  We were then given Arabic Mint Tea and pastries as a welcome.  Following this the girls were given lessons on Belly Dancing.  Ursie joined in the celebrations also!

At the end of the lesson the girls were all presented with their name in Arabic (even Ursie! - see middle photo).  Chloe's name in Arabic was shaped like a heart!

The girls also shared a drama class with UA girls which they really enjoyed.

After lunch the girls attended a Screen Printing class with Mr Thompson.  The girls participated in the production of the t-shirts and each have one to take home.

The finale of the week was the St Ursula's College presentation to Ursuline Academy.  UA live streamed the event and we have recorded it to share.  The Presentation will be shared at a later date.

Maddison & Kaitlyn

Today was a very fun and educational, yet sad day as it was our last day at the Ursuline Academy of Dallas.  Beginning with a fun and interesting Arabic class, we drank mint tea and nibbled on baklava while we learned to belly dance.  Afterwards, we visited a stage costuming class and played theatre sports with the Dallas girls which was really fun!  For lunch we went to the cafeteria and had a Ursuline specialty - Mac and Mash!  It was delicious!  After lunch we went to a lesson on screen printing and made our own t-shirts.  The school day ended with what was a very successful presentation of Toowoomba to our host families and friends.  As this will probably be our last chance, we would like to extend a massive thank you to all the wonderful people at the Ursuline Academy of Dallas who have spoilt us so much this past week at school and on excursions!  This has been one of the best experiences of our lives, so thank you!

USA Tour 2016 - Dallas

Thursday 1st December 2016

AT & T Stadium and North Texas Food Bank

Sarah and Maddy H

"Today was very interesting, as we left the Ursuline Academy of Dallas this morning and headed for the AT&T Stadium followed by the North Texas Food Bank.  

The AT&T Stadium was definitely not like the stadiums bank in Australia.  It was extraordinarily enormous and quite a shocking experience.  Fun fact - the Statue of Liberty could fit into the centre of the stadium and would still not be able to reach the top of the closed, yet retractable, dome.  We had the great privilege of touring the stadium, visiting many exclusive seats, the Cowboys and Cheerleaders locker rooms and were also able to run onto the field like they do in the games!

AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, is the largest, most technologically advanced entertainment venue in the world.  The stadium features two monumental steel arches, the world's largest HDTV video board cluster with dual 72 foot x 160 foot screens, an expansive retractable roof and the largest retractable end zone doors in the world.  The stadium can host up to 100,000 people, and includes over 300 luxury suites and seating on four different levels.  The stadium hosts a variety of events in addition to NFL games such as concerts, basketball games, boxing matches, professional bull riding, monster truck and motocross.

All of our jaws dropped at how huge the stadium looked from the centre of the field.  We all got photos, and at the end of the tour shouted "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi".  We were also very fortunate to sing two of our pieces in the stadium.  Just hearing our voices echo around the stadium sent chills down our spine and thrilled some of the staff nearby.  

Unfortunately, our wonderful time at AT&T Stadium came to an early end, but on our way to the North Texas Food Bank we had a wonderful boxed lunch provided by Ursuline Academy.

We the arrived at the Food Bank where we spent two hours sorting apples and later onions.  We filled four large boxes with produce that will be sent our to schools for students and parents.

The experience was very humbling and rewarding, knowing that we made such a difference to families in need."

USA Tour 2016 - Dallas

Wednesday 30th November 2016

Fort Worth

Varada

"It was a chilly morning today in Dallas.  After being introduced to our chaperones, we all got on the bus to go to Fort Worth.  (Fort Worth was founded in 1849 as a military outpost.  approx. 51kms from Dallas).  On the one hour drive to Fort Worth the bus was alive with the sound of the girls singing in rehearsal for the presentation to UA on Friday.  When we got to Fort Worth we were given a tour by Barron Pressley (Fort Worth Visitor Centre) around the stockyards.  We saw horses and a Mule (half horse, half donkey).  

We went to a local Texas BBQ restaurant called Riskys for lunch where the burgers were amazing! After lunch we had some spare time and we all went and explored the local shops in the area.  

Then our last stop was at the Cowgirl Museum.  We were delighted to learn the fascinating history about cowgirls.  

Later in the afternoon my host sister Laura and I went horse back riding and although I was terrified and a drama queen, it was one of the best experiences of my life."

Cowgirl Ursie!

The USA Tour girls (and Ursie) meeting real cowboys in action at the Fort Worth Stockyards. 

Our tour guide and meeting a Mule (half horse/half donkey).

Sarah and Maddy tried riding a very tame Longhorn!

Enjoying lunch at Riskys Texas BBQ

National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.

USA Tour 2016 - Dallas

Ursuline Academy Dallas & St Ursula's College Toowoomba - Bears

Just like our girls on Tour, Ursie has been enjoying making new friends this week too!

USA Tour 2016 - Dallas

Tuesday 29th November 2016

George W Bush Presidential Centre & The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

Maggie & Genevieve

Maggie

"We started the day with an inspirational meeting with Mrs. Melinda Smith about her personal memories about the assassination of President Kennedy.  This story was eye opening and showed us just how influential this incident was on the people of Dallas.  We then went on our way to the George W Bush Library and saw the timeline of Bush's Presidency.  The library not only showed us beautiful images from their 2004 Christmas in the Whitehouse, a copy of the Oval Room and his aspirations as President, but also the shocking images from 9/11.  We learnt so much about his time as President and just what an amazing President he was because of the hardship he faced in the Presidency. Following the Bush Library, we met Ms. Nipp at Snuffers (a well known Dallas burger restaurant). There we enjoyed cheesy fries, free drink refills and huge burgers!

Following our feast, we then attended the 6th Floor Museum.  At the Museum we gained a deeper understanding of the story of the assassination of President Kennedy and the respect Americans had for both him and his wife.  I know that this experience touched all our hearts and helped us to understand the tragedy Dallas and the USA faced.  We got to see at first had the exact spots on the road where Kennedy was shot, the scene where the assassin was firing from, and news articles, conspiracy theories and investigations revolving around the event.  The day was full of incredible and memorable experiences and we can't wait to see and enjoy more of Dallas in the days to come."

Genevieve

"What a day!  Our first excursion with the Ursuline Academy of Dallas consisted of the George W Bush library and the JFK Sixth Floor Museum, as well as lunch at a classic Texas restaurant, Snuffers.  As a political enthusiast, I personally found the experience fascinating.  Despite coming from very different contexts, both were revered for the way they maintained a nation in times of great political unrest.  In addition to this, it was enlightening to see the very different attitude that America holds towards Leaders, both past and present, in contrast to Australia.

Lunch was cheese fries, classic burgers and Dr Pepper - an American soda which I have appeared to have taken a great liking to!

My day was not over yet, however, as afterwards was my first trip to an American "mall", where I exercised my abilities to almost completely spend a two week budget in what seemed to be a matter of minutes, as well as discovering the joys of soft pretzels."

The Book Depository window and The Grassy Knoll at Dealey Plaza.

USA Tour 2016 - Dallas

Tuesday 29th November 2016

Excursion Day to George W Bush Presidential Centre & The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.

USA Tour with Ursie in the replica of the Oval Office of President George W Bush 

USA Tour 2016 - Dallas

Monday 28th November 2016

The girls on the USA Tour will be contributing their experiences each day.

Amelia & Ella

"We all came to school with our host sisters today.  We were introduced to the Principal (Dr Shurley), the President (Ms Kane), and Directors including our enthusiastic travel coordinator Miss Nipp.  We then had a tour of the school.  The gym was pretty impressive, we felt like Troy Bolton in High School Musical!  Then we went to class with our host sisters.  That was really interesting because we got to see how American classes work.  There are no bells, so the students have to memorise their timetable. We were then able to experience eating lunch in the cafeteria which was very different to eating lunch on the front lawn at home and it made us miss our hedgehog slice from the tuckshop.  After school we all ventured to the "Bear Necessities Book Store" and stocked up on all things Ursuline Academy.  We then all watched the junior varsity football game, showing great Ursie spirit for our Dallas sisters!"

USA Tour 2016 - Dallas

Monday 28th November 2016

Ursuline Academy - Dallas
First day at UA

On Monday morning the girls were given a very warm welcome to Ursuline Academy.  

The girls were inducted and presented with special gifts before joining their host for a tour of the campus.

The beautiful front entrance to Ursuline Academy decorated for Christmas.

USA Tour 2016 - Dallas

USA Tour 2016 - Dallas

For more photos go to the Ursuline Academy Dallas blog -  uaglobal.blogspot.com

USA Tour 2016 - Dallas

Saturday 26th November 2016

Dallas Day 
Today the amazing hosts at Ursuline Academy shared some wonderful Dallas experiences with the staff on tour.  In true Texan style, we visited Cavenders Boot City - we were left speechless by the number of cowboy boots on display.  Mr Dwan also tried on a Texan hat.

We visited a small town called Grapevine pictured below, a quaint area with old buildings and full of Christmas holiday spirit.  In Carrollton, Dallas our hosts took us to lunch at a popular family restaurant - Babes Chicken Dinner House, before a tour of some of the impressive houses in the Dallas area and amazing Christmas lights.

Updates from the girls and their host families coming soon after the weekend!