Hundreds of Western Sydney students from Years 9 to 12 and some who recently graduated, joined teachers, parents, carers, and educators at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta for the Beyond School, What's Next? Careers Expo hosted by Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD).
The event attracted more than 25 organisations such as civil construction company Gamuda, TAFE NSW, Ambrose Early Learning School Aged Care, Mining Australia, multiple universities, Universities Admission Centre (UAC), the Australian Defence Force along with careers advisors, Registered Training Organisations, employment services, and CSPD's Teacher Scholarship team to name a few.
Whether transitioning into full-time employment, seeking further education, or sourcing a traineeship or apprenticeship, students had meaningful conversations with experts in their field to help point them in the right direction.
“That's one of the great things about being here is being able to give back to the community, meeting new friends, and making a difference to young people,” said a representative from Western Sydney University’s Student Engagement team.
“It's a great opportunity if you’re not sure what you want to do in the future. There are so many organisations here with programs and apprenticeships that you can come and apply to.”
There was something for every student, helping them explore career and study pathways they might like to consider after school.
Executive Director of Schools Jack de Groot and Director Communications & Engagement Elizabeth Scully chatted with students, parents, and exhibitors as they toured the stalls.
“It's a great opportunity for students to have conversations with employers, trade schools, universities, and lots of other training institutions that could help them with their future,” said Jack.
“It's been a great morning meeting people from all sorts of places that help students explore their passions and interests and they can also get employment as they work through a training program. You can even work for Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese as a trainee teacher while completing further studies. There are many great opportunities to explore what you want to do after school.”
CSPD’s Jarara Cultural Centre was also in attendance, presenting different opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
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Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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11 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to former Patties student, Jared Haywood (Class of 2024), on making his NRL debut for the Wests Tigers! Jared now becomes the 97th student from Patrician Brothers’ Blacktown to play in the NRL. Jared truly embodies what it means to be a Patrician Brothers’ boy. Always smiling, he approaches life with a positive attitude and a willingness to contribute. He recently returned to the College to support our Primary Schools Gala Day, continuing to give back to the Patties community. During his time at the College, Jared was a valued member of the Schoolboy Cup teams in both 2023 and 2024, proudly co-captaining the side to a State Final victory in 2024. In his final year at Patties, Jared was named Sportsman of the Year and represented the College in Athletics, Touch Football and Cross Country. He also earned selection in the CCC Rugby League and Touch Football teams, as well as the prestigious Australian Schoolboys Rugby League team. The entire Patties community is incredibly proud of you, Jared. We wish you all the very best for your NRL career.
03 Jul 2026
From Facebook
This week, a select group of our Year 10 students partnered with Nagle College to lead two engaging and meaningful leadership sessions for Years 5 and 6 at St Patrick’s Primary School. Demonstrating remarkable confidence, our students served as youth ministers, delivering insightful presentations on leadership and faith, and facilitated dynamic small-group discussions. From leading prayers to energising the room with interactive games and songs, they displayed a level of maturity, warmth, and genuine care that resonated with everyone present. The primary students were truly captivated, instantly recognising the Year 10s as wonderful role models. The vibrant energy and enthusiasm throughout the sessions were a testament to the strong connections formed. The Patrician Brothers’ and Nagle students involved in this program deserve immense credit, and will certainly leave a lasting positive impact on the young leaders of tomorrow. This initiative stands as a model for collaborative student formation between primary and secondary schools across the diocese.
Latest News More news
11 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to former Patties student, Jared Haywood (Class of 2024), on making his NRL debut for the Wests Tigers! Jared now becomes the 97th student from Patrician Brothers’ Blacktown to play in the NRL. Jared truly embodies what it means to be a Patrician Brothers’ boy. Always smiling, he approaches life with a positive attitude and a willingness to contribute. He recently returned to the College to support our Primary Schools Gala Day, continuing to give back to the Patties community. During his time at the College, Jared was a valued member of the Schoolboy Cup teams in both 2023 and 2024, proudly co-captaining the side to a State Final victory in 2024. In his final year at Patties, Jared was named Sportsman of the Year and represented the College in Athletics, Touch Football and Cross Country. He also earned selection in the CCC Rugby League and Touch Football teams, as well as the prestigious Australian Schoolboys Rugby League team. The entire Patties community is incredibly proud of you, Jared. We wish you all the very best for your NRL career.
08 Jul 2026
CSPD students recognised in Refugee Week Creative Competition
Over 125 students from 10 Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) schools have been recognised for their empathy and powerful storytelling as part of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Australia Refugee Week Creative Competition.
03 Jul 2026
From Facebook
This week, a select group of our Year 10 students partnered with Nagle College to lead two engaging and meaningful leadership sessions for Years 5 and 6 at St Patrick’s Primary School. Demonstrating remarkable confidence, our students served as youth ministers, delivering insightful presentations on leadership and faith, and facilitated dynamic small-group discussions. From leading prayers to energising the room with interactive games and songs, they displayed a level of maturity, warmth, and genuine care that resonated with everyone present. The primary students were truly captivated, instantly recognising the Year 10s as wonderful role models. The vibrant energy and enthusiasm throughout the sessions were a testament to the strong connections formed. The Patrician Brothers’ and Nagle students involved in this program deserve immense credit, and will certainly leave a lasting positive impact on the young leaders of tomorrow. This initiative stands as a model for collaborative student formation between primary and secondary schools across the diocese.
02 Jul 2026
From Facebook
In the final week of Term 2, we gathered to recognise students who were top of their subjects along with the honour roll students for Semester 1. It was a great time to acknowledge their dedication and hard work. A big congratulations to these students and their families.
01 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Primary Rugby League Day 2026! On Monday the 29th of June we hosted our annual Primary School Rugby League Day for students in Years 4 to 6 with approximately 300 students in attendance. The students were involved in a session of rugby league skills and related activities, which were organised and led by our students and Roman Tuaimau, a former graduate of the class of 2025, who plays for the Canberra Raiders and recently played for the U19s NSW Origin Team. After lunch, the students were invited to the hall to listen to the rugby league journeys of Roy Asotasi - former Bulldogs premiership winner, Souths and New Zealand captain. Joseph Paulo – former student of the College in the class of 2005 who went on to play for Penrith, Parramatta, and Cronulla in the NRL before playing overseas in England and France and has represented Samoa and captained the United States of American team. Jarome Luai – Class of 2015 and current West Tigers captain, Samoan captain, and four-time premiership winner with the Penrith Panthers. Jacob Halangahu – Class of 2024 and currently playing with the St George Illawarra Dragons. Jared Haywood – Class of 2024 and currently playing with the West Tigers. The students were then able to meet the players, and receive their signatures and go home in their treasured Patties shirts they received at the start of the day.
29 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Last Friday, we hosted the Zone 4 Conference Finals of the CSDA Debating Competition where our Year 12 team, comprising Aaron Srimurugathas, Domenic Gallagher, and Jeziah Fauula-Vaa, represented our College. In a matchup that provided one of the most entertaining and intelligent debates we have seen in several seasons, our team lost in a very close decision, which unfortunately ended their 2026 Debating season. Thank you to everyone involved, especially Ms Zorica Bicanic, who worked tirelessly with the assistance of a large team of very generous and dedicated staff, as well as the large group of staff who attended the evening, and the Year 12 debate in particular, to support our students.
27 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to Charlie Xuereb and Cordell Murdock Arama who were featured in the Daily Telegraph this morning. “The duo are also set to lead the way as part of the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges team at the Australian Secondary Schools rugby league competition at Coffs Harbour in July, of which an impressive 11 of the 20 squad members hail from Patrician Brothers’ (Blacktown).” You can read the full article under a Daily Telegraph subscription: “Blacktown Smash Bros” by George Al-Akiki.
24 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Our Year 10 Early Commencement Business Services students recently stepped into the professional world, completing work placements at several local businesses: MTC Future Ready Blacktown, TLE Electrical Blacktown, Zeal Services Rouse Hill, Officeworks Penrith, and Wiseberry Real Estate Richmond. These placements allowed students to apply their classroom skills to real-world scenarios, directly supporting their competency tasks for the Certificate III in Business Services and their HSC. It was great to see our students contributing so positively to these industries while balancing their school commitments, we are incredibly proud of them.
24 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Round 3: 32-0 This week we played our third game in the preliminary stage of the 2026 NRL Schoolboy Cup against the highly rated Central Coast Sports College on home soil. The game was intense from the first tackle and Central Coast lived up to all expectations in the first 15 minutes. Every metre of territory was hard earned but eventually Patties managed to breakthrough the Central Coast defence and slowly but surely gained ascendancy. The tough encounter was great preparation for the finals that start in Term 3. Thank you to our spectators for their great support, onto the quarter finals!
