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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29 May 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to former Patties student, Niwhai Puru, on being called up for his NRL debut for the Cronulla Sharks tonight! Niwhai was a key member of our star-studded 2019 NRL Schoolboy Cup team and he was also the proud recipient of our 2019 Jarara Award. This honour is presented to an Indigenous student whose resilience and capacity for growth enable them to consistently build on their strengths - qualities that Niwhai has truly embodied in all aspects of his life. We are incredibly proud to see Niwhai reach this milestone. It will be a special moment as he takes the field alongside his brother, Hohepa Puru. We wish you all the very best for tonight, Niwhai!
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From Facebook
In Round 3 of the Bill Turner Cup, Patrician Brothers’ Blacktown faced off against St Dominic’s College. In a hard-fought match, where the boys truly left their hearts on the field, the team unfortunately fell 2-0, bringing their 2026 tournament campaign to an end. We extend a massive thank you to the entire team and their coach, Mr. James Bunoza, for their incredible dedication and spirit throughout the competition. You’ve done us proud!
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From Facebook
Excellent news for our students and staff. Over three years of targeted work has seen a great outcome for our students.