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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03 Dec 2025
From Facebook
Each Thursday this year, as part of our Special Religious Education program, a group of committed Year 10 students visited Blacktown South Public School to work with students from various year groups. They guide and support young students in exploring and understanding their faith. Our Year 10 students have excelled in preparing engaging lessons each week, incorporating activities such as prayer, storytelling, drawing, writing, and reflection. With the conclusion of the final SRE lesson for 2025, we extend our congratulations to these Year 10 students for their exceptional dedication and effort in nurturing the faith and growth of these young learners.
02 Dec 2025
From Facebook
Last Friday evening, we held our Year 12 2025 Formal at Novella on the Park at Abbotsbury. The Year 12 boys looked resplendent in their formal attire and there was a very large contingent of teachers in attendance to farewell this outstanding senior group. The evening was filled with joy, dancing, gelato and laughter. Special thanks to Mr Williams, Miss Gearing and Ms Aboelsaad for their efforts in organising this memorable event.
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03 Dec 2025
From Facebook
Each Thursday this year, as part of our Special Religious Education program, a group of committed Year 10 students visited Blacktown South Public School to work with students from various year groups. They guide and support young students in exploring and understanding their faith. Our Year 10 students have excelled in preparing engaging lessons each week, incorporating activities such as prayer, storytelling, drawing, writing, and reflection. With the conclusion of the final SRE lesson for 2025, we extend our congratulations to these Year 10 students for their exceptional dedication and effort in nurturing the faith and growth of these young learners.
02 Dec 2025
From Facebook
Last Friday evening, we held our Year 12 2025 Formal at Novella on the Park at Abbotsbury. The Year 12 boys looked resplendent in their formal attire and there was a very large contingent of teachers in attendance to farewell this outstanding senior group. The evening was filled with joy, dancing, gelato and laughter. Special thanks to Mr Williams, Miss Gearing and Ms Aboelsaad for their efforts in organising this memorable event.
26 Nov 2025
From Facebook
16s Super Rugby Cleansweep The 2025 Super Rugby U16s competition began in late September and concluded November 2, and Patrician Brothers' College Blacktown was well represented with four students among the squad, including Charlie Xuereb, Cordell Arama, Talmage Lemusu and Ziyon Lepolo, with all four eventually playing in the determined 57-34 Grand Final defeat of the QLD Reds at Knox Grammar School. Games were played against Victoria, QLD Reds, Western Force and ACT Brumbies, with numerous dominant performances including 97-0 and 96-7 wins. Our Patties boys were consistently named as standouts among the squad. And the proof is in the selection, with three of our boys from the Blue and Gold now named in the Green and Gold. Huge shoutouts to Talmage, Charlie and Cordell who were named in the Australian U16s squad, with Patrician Brothers' Blacktown the most represented school in the squad, a phenomenal achievement to outnumber the nation's elite rugby union schools, proving Patrician Brothers' Blacktown is where champions are made. The College community is incredibly proud of all four young men and are right behind them as they prepare for camp and their upcoming match against the QLD Reds U17s in December. A further special mention as well to Bronson Tupou of Year 9, who played in the NSW Waratahs U15 in a two match series against the QLD Reds, scoring the match winner in one of the games.
25 Nov 2025
From Facebook
Last Sunday evening, our newly invested 2026 Student Leaders joined ACYF pilgrims and student leaders from other secondary schools across Parramatta Diocese to celebrate Mass with Bishop Vincent Long at St Patrick's Cathedral.
24 Nov 2025
From Facebook
Last Friday, we celebrated the rich diversity within our College community during Multicultural Day. After being welcomed with dance and song by our Indigenous students, everyone enjoyed a series of student-led workshops showcasing dance, games, songs and traditions from our cultural groups. The day concluded with an outstanding concert featuring performances from our African, Middle Eastern, Greek, Pasifika, Indian, Thai, Filipino and Brazilian students and teachers - with some creative input from several guest performers.
20 Nov 2025
From Facebook
This week, our College Assembly featured the Investiture of our 2026 Student Leadership Team. The new team has already undertaken extensive training at school, and with student leaders from the other Patrician-linked schools across Sydney. They will commence their roles with faith, enthusiasm and an impressive list of practical ideas for building our school community during the next 12 months. Fr Andrew Rooney, from Mary Queen of the Family Parish at Blacktown, was kind enough to lead the Investiture Ceremony..
18 Nov 2025
Western Sydney Catholic Schools hold the phone
Student mobile phone use will be banned across 80 Western Sydney Catholic schools from the beginning of the 2026 school year. The restriction presents a positive opportunity to enhance student outcomes, both in academic excellence and wellbeing.
11 Nov 2025
From Facebook
💙💛 2026 Sponsorships Now Open! 💛💙 Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown, is inviting local businesses and community partners to become proud sponsors of one of Sydney’s leading school sporting programs. By partnering with us, you’ll gain strong exposure through local, state, and national sporting events — while supporting excellence, teamwork, and community spirit. 🏆 Sponsorship Packages Available: Platinum | Gold | Silver | Bronze 📣 Opportunities include team uniform, training uniform, program, or event sponsorships. 👉 Scan the QR code or contact Madlin Aboelsaad at maboelsaad@parra.catholic.edu.au for more information. 📞 0409 345 843 Let’s make 2026 a year of sporting success — together! 💪⚡️ #PatricianBrothersCollege #Blacktown #SportsSponsorship #CommunityPartners #TeamSpirit
10 Oct 2025
From Facebook
07 Oct 2025
From Facebook
Two weeks on, we couldn't resist a final look back at our wonderful Year 12 Graduation Mass and Ceremony! A day filled with pride, performances, and heartfelt goodbyes. 🎓
26 Sep 2025
From Facebook
Graduation Day on Tuesday 23rd September was filled with great memories and heartfelt goodbyes as we celebrated the Class of 2025. The day commenced with a beautiful Graduation Mass led by Fr Wim and attended by the entire school, uniting our community in thanksgiving for our seniors and their remarkable Patrician journey. After Mass, our younger students formed a Guard of Honour as the Year 12 students prepared for their final departure. As Year 12 students reached the school gates, they were farewelled with a powerful haka performance from our Year 11 Pasifika students. This moment symbolised the passing of the torch and highlighted the deep bonds of brotherhood that characterise our school. The celebration continued into the evening at our Graduation Ceremony, a special event for our seniors and their families. Introduced with dance and song by our Indigenous students in a spectacular Welcome to Country, the evening included stirring speeches from our student leaders, brilliant musical performances, the presentation of Year 12 report portfolios, academic awards and special awards - and ended with a special blessing bestowed upon the graduating students by the staff and parents. We are immensely proud of the wonderful achievements of this Year 12 group and look forward to seeing the amazing paths they will forge in the future. Congratulations, Class of 2025!
24 Sep 2025
From Facebook
As part of our Faith in Action program at Patrician Brothers' College Blacktown, we have had a long-standing partnership with the Vinnies Van program. This program enables our senior students and teachers to give back to the community by dedicating their time outside school hours to serve meals, beverages, and essential items to people in need. We want to extend our thanks to the students and staff who have stepped up so generously throughout the year to make a difference, and we look forward to continuing this initiative with Vinnies Van into 2026.