Each year, one Year 12 student in every Catholic secondary school in the Diocese of Parramatta is awarded the Bishop of Parramatta Award for Student Excellence.
This prestigious award is nominated by the school principal and recognises a student’s witness to their Catholic faith and outstanding contribution to the school community in areas such as academic excellence, sporting achievement, creative and performing arts, social justice, vocational education and community involvement.
This year’s outstanding students were recognised by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv at an event held at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Thursday 5 September, attended by more than 300 people, including parents, school representatives and local community leaders. Each award recipient was acknowledged with a medallion and certificate.
Bishop Vincent delivered a powerful reflection on excellence and the aims of Catholic education. He praised the award recipients for their hard work, discipline, dedication and commitment.
“The honour we bestow on them tonight recognises not only what they have done but also the positive attitude with which they have imbued their environments and relationships. These students have let the light of Christ shine through them. They have worked hard, with a sense of responsibility and commitment,” said Bishop Vincent.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Executive Director, Jack De Groot congratulated the students, acknowledging all those who play a part in student success.
“Your achievements are a credit to you and your families, and a testament to the commitment and drive of your teachers as we endeavour in our vision to enrich the lives of our students through education grounded in excellence, inclusivity and Catholic tradition,” Jack said.
Award winners from our CSPD schools were as follows:
- Jessica Reimer, Bede Polding College South Windsor
- Audrey Cocks, Caroline Chisholm College Glenmore Park
- Sacha Sahyoun, Catherine McAuley Westmead
- Olivia Novosadek, CathWest Innovation College Mount Druitt
- Sarah Oldridge, Cerdon College Merrylands
- Makalita Liutai, Delany College Granville
- Peter Sara, Emmaus Catholic College Kemps Creek
- Savannah Moubarak, Gilroy Catholic College Castle Hill
- Stephanie Vassallo, Marian Catholic College Kenthurst
- Chevonne Lobo, Nagle College Blacktown South
- George Walker, Parramatta Marist High School
- Emmanuel Crichton, Patrician Brothers' College Blacktown
- Imelda Wright, Penola Catholic College Emu Plains
- Erica Pisani, Santa Sophia Catholic College Gables
- Sienna Edwards, St Agnes Catholic High School Rooty Hill
- Euleila Barret, St Andrews College Marayong
- Michell Bui, St Clare's Catholic High School Hassall Grove
- Lucy Hall, St Columba’s Catholic College Springwood
- Tristan Kemp, St John Paul II Catholic College Nirimba Fields
- Ellena Bonello, St John XXIII Catholic College Stanhope Gardens
- Althea Dela Cruz, St Luke's Catholic College Marsden Park
- Oliver O'Neill, St Patrick's Marist College Dundas
- Andrew Saab, St Pauls Catholic College Greystanes
- Lucy Keane, Xavier College Llandilo
View photos from this event View full gallery
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!
