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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14 Sep 2026
From Facebook
This term our Year 9 HSIE students showcased their promotion and sales skills at the annual Commerce Tradeshow. Teams created businesses that promoted a product or service to the College community. From cookies to mobile sports, our boys demonstrated entrepreneurship, creativity and a willingness to explore different promotional strategies.14 Sep 2026
From Facebook
CCSP Free webinar with eSafety Commissioner for parents and carers The Council of Catholic School Parents (CCSP) NSW invites you to attend their Term 3 Free Webinar for parents with the expert eSafety Commissioner team: 'Influencers, Ideology and Impacts - How algorithms influence and reinforce harmful beliefs'. What is this webinar about? Young people are constantly being shown videos, posts and content online based on what they have clicked on, watched or searched for. This webinar will explain, in simple terms, how these algorithms work and how they can sometimes lead young people towards harmful content, unhealthy ideas or stereotypes. The eSafety Commissioner team will share practical tips to help parents and carers understand what young people are seeing online and how to help them create safer, healthier and more positive online experiences. Lunch and learn! Grab your lunch and a cup of tea and join the team during the day for this 45-minute session. Date: Wednesday 16 September Time:12:30pm – 1:15pm To register and for more information,click here. This webinar explores both the benefits and risks of recommender algorithms and offers practical strategies to help parents and carers to support young people build more positive and safer online feeds: the role of algorithms and recommender systems in driving engagement and shaping online experiences how platforms and online communities keep young people engaged, expose them to harmful content and reinforce gendered stereotypes strategies to shape algorithmic feeds and build more positive and safe online experiences how eSafety can support people experiencing serious online harm. This webinar is Not suitable for those under 18. A recording is available for registered participants for 72 hours following the webinar.
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14 Sep 2026
From Facebook
This term our Year 9 HSIE students showcased their promotion and sales skills at the annual Commerce Tradeshow. Teams created businesses that promoted a product or service to the College community. From cookies to mobile sports, our boys demonstrated entrepreneurship, creativity and a willingness to explore different promotional strategies.
14 Sep 2026
From Facebook
CCSP Free webinar with eSafety Commissioner for parents and carers The Council of Catholic School Parents (CCSP) NSW invites you to attend their Term 3 Free Webinar for parents with the expert eSafety Commissioner team: 'Influencers, Ideology and Impacts - How algorithms influence and reinforce harmful beliefs'. What is this webinar about? Young people are constantly being shown videos, posts and content online based on what they have clicked on, watched or searched for. This webinar will explain, in simple terms, how these algorithms work and how they can sometimes lead young people towards harmful content, unhealthy ideas or stereotypes. The eSafety Commissioner team will share practical tips to help parents and carers understand what young people are seeing online and how to help them create safer, healthier and more positive online experiences. Lunch and learn! Grab your lunch and a cup of tea and join the team during the day for this 45-minute session. Date: Wednesday 16 September Time:12:30pm – 1:15pm To register and for more information,click here. This webinar explores both the benefits and risks of recommender algorithms and offers practical strategies to help parents and carers to support young people build more positive and safer online feeds: the role of algorithms and recommender systems in driving engagement and shaping online experiences how platforms and online communities keep young people engaged, expose them to harmful content and reinforce gendered stereotypes strategies to shape algorithmic feeds and build more positive and safe online experiences how eSafety can support people experiencing serious online harm. This webinar is Not suitable for those under 18. A recording is available for registered participants for 72 hours following the webinar.
12 Sep 2026
From Facebook
This week, our College community came together for RUOK? Week to highlight the importance of mental health and staying connected With men often finding it challenging to open up, creating a culture where honest conversations happen naturally is more important than ever. Throughout the week, our boys engaged in meaningful activities designed to build connections and break down barriers: Activities included mental health trivia, board games, daily videos, and sessions focused on meditation and mindfulness. A highlight was the ever-popular Bronut Day, which encouraged students to support their mates by buying some donuts and having a chat over shared morning tea. The week culminated in a much-anticipated Staff vs Student volleyball match - an energetic battle that saw the teachers secure their second victory across three sporting challenge events this year. A huge thank you to all our staff and students who participated, organised events, and contributed to making this week so enjoyable and relevant.
10 Sep 2026
Bishops Awards celebrate student leaders across Parramatta Diocese
The annual Bishop of Parramatta Award for Student Excellence celebrates Year 12 students who demonstrate strong values of faith, service, leadership and learning, recognising their positive impact on their schools and wider communities.
09 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Our Year 9 Engineering and STEM students put their problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking skills to the test during the Engineers Australia Build a Bridge workshop! Guided by guest UNSW engineers, small groups designed and constructed bridges before testing their strength with weights. A huge thank you to Engineers Australia and UNSW for connecting classroom learning with real-world engineering!
06 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers, grandfathers and father figures who have supported, guided and encouraged our students throughout their lives. Last Friday morning, Patrician Brothers’ Blacktown and Nagle College celebrated for a wonderful Father’s Day Mass at St Patrick’s Church. With students and staff from our College providing the music for the liturgy, the Mass was a meaningful and prayerful tribute to all the fathers in our community. Following Mass, everyone was invited to enjoy a coffee and some delicious treats together, providing a wonderful opportunity to gather, connect and celebrate ahead of Father’s Day. A special thanks to Fr. Stephen Onyekwere for leading this special occasion with his usual wisdom and positivity.
04 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Year 7 Camp was one to remember. From archery tag and camping to damper making and team-building activities, our Year 7 students embraced every opportunity to have fun, challenge themselves and build friendships. A fantastic few days of working together and strengthening our year group.
03 Sep 2026
From Facebook
03 Sep 2026
From Facebook
03 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Father’s Day is an occasion to thank God for the gift of our fathers and to also acknowledge all the fathers in our community who have passed away. We will be celebrating our Father’s Day Mass with Nagle College at 9.00am on Friday 4th September at St. Patrick's Church, Blacktown. We are inviting all fathers, grandfathers and those who are father-figures in our College community. If you would like to attend the Father’s Day Mass, please complete this form by Thursday, September 3, 3pm. We ask that students and families arrive at the Church by 8.45am. A coffee cart has been booked to provide coffees for all of the fathers, grandfathers, and carers outside the Church after Mass. At the conclusion of the event, parents will need to transport their son/s back to the College.