Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) has released its first annual Closing the Gap report. This report outlines its contribution to improving socio-economic outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly students and their families.
CSPD Chief Executive Officer Jack de Groot said the report reflects the dedication of CSPD’s 6 500 staff in fostering reconciliation and equity through the organisation’s 80 outstanding school across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
“We’re strongly committed to great outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through education grounded in excellence and inclusion,” Jack said. “Our Catholic tradition puts people in need first and there is still so much more to do to Close the Gap for First Nations people in Australia, including in our Catholic schools.”
The annual report is an additional commitments CSPD has included in its forthcoming Reconciliation Action Plan. While not exhaustive, the report highlights some of the meaningful efforts being made through CSPD schools and services across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Some highlights include:
- a year-on-year increase of approximately 7.5% enrolment growth for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students (bringing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to 1,217 total)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students maintained an attendance rate above 87% in both 2023 and 2024, compared to 85.1% in 2022
- increasing HSC participation with 65 HSC candidates in 2025, in contrast to 10 HSC candidates in 2016
- steady improvement in HSC results, with the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students achieving top-band awards rising from 7.69% in 2016 to nearly 30% by 2024
- achievements in Vocational Education and Training such as St John Paul II Catholic College Schofields student Tataya Curry-Jones being named NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year and St Agnes Catholic High School Rooty Hill student Jewel Osborne won the prestigious Aurora Award at the Western Sydney and Blue Mountains Region at the 2024 NSW Training Awards.
The report celebrates the strengths-based work of the CSPD Jarara team based in Mount Druitt and Family Liaison Officer Aunty Roz Webb, an Aboriginal Elder embedded within CSPD’s Student Support Directorate. Other successful initiatives include the Murama Youth Ambassador Program, cultural learning programs such as Sky Country Dreaming and the Up and Go Bus that provides students with transport to school (and brekky on the road), an initiative to support student attendance.
Looking ahead, opportunities to increase CSPD’s contribution to national efforts to close the gap include considering scaling the Family Liaison Officer model, expanding transition support, and strengthening vocational pathways will be key priorities. Deepening partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations, universities, and employers while increasing access to targeted wellbeing services will further enhance student outcomes. By refining exisiting programs and fostering strong community collaborations, CSPD can continue to make a contribution to sustained progress towards parity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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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.
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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!
19 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Delany Cup What an incredible day of sport, community, and heritage! We were thrilled to join together with Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield, Delany College Granville, All Saints Catholic College Liverpool, Holy Cross College Ryde, Brigidine College Randwick and special guests, Nagle College Blacktown. Played in a gala day format involving Rugby League and Soccer, every match was played in fantastic spirit with immense pride on display. It was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the strong bonds between our colleges. Thank you to our special guests for joining us, including Br Nicholas Harsas, Br Aengus Kavanagh, Br Thomas Rice, Br Matthew Mahoney, and many of the Principals and Assistant Principals.
18 Jun 2026
From Facebook
On Tuesday the 16th of June, Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown delivered a spectacular performance at the CSPD Pasifika FiaFia Night. The evening was a vibrant celebration of the hard work and rich diversity that defines our school community. We were incredibly proud to see our students represent their culture and the College in such a respectful manner. We extend our gratitude to St John XXIII Catholic College, Stanhope Gardens, for hosting this wonderful event, along with CSPD. Most importantly, we want to thank the students who represented us with such pride and enthusiasm. In the weeks leading up to the event, our students dedicated many lunch breaks and after-school hours to rehearsals, consistently demonstrating a deep passion for their heritage. This success would not have been possible without the tireless guidance and supervision of Mr Alan Niulesa, Ms Jane Solo, Mr Ezrah Lavemai, Mr Delahoya Manu, Mr Osa Levae, and Mr Francis Nansen. We are extremely grateful for the many hours they sacrificed to prepare the boys for the event. Finally, a heartfelt thank you to the families and friends who attended to show their support - your presence meant the world to our students.
17 Jun 2026
From Facebook
From Blue & Gold to Sky Blue! Congratulations to Roman Tuaimau, Marcellus Iakopo, Christopher Petrus, Christian Taupau-Moors and Cameron Bamblett on their selection in the NSW Under 19’s State of Origin team. Each of these young men has proudly represented Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown with distinction, demonstrating commitment, character, and excellence at the highest levels of Schoolboy Rugby League. Their dedication has earned them the opportunity to step onto an even bigger stage and represent New South Wales. State of Origin has long been a pathway to the NRL, and we are incredibly proud to see them take the next step in their rugby league journey. Best of luck for tomorrow night's match, the Patrician Brothers’ community is proud and right behind you!