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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22 Dec 2025
From Facebook
After an incredible career spanning over three decades, we bid farewell to a true Patrician legend, Mr Peter Ross. A proud old boy of Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown, Mr Ross was employed by Br Bernard Bulfin in 1988 and has spent nearly all of his professional life serving the Patrician community - mainly at Blacktown, punctuated with two years at John-Paul II Senior High School, Marayong. A gifted Mathematics teacher, Peter also contributed through key leadership roles including Year Coordinator, College timetabler, and valued member of the College Leadership Team. His impact extended far beyond the classroom. Peter coached countless sporting teams, especially Rugby League and Cricket, and played a major role in the College’s inaugural NRL Schoolboy Cup victory in 2012. He has generously supported school camps, snow trips, weekend expeditions, senior retreats, and international immersions, giving our students experiences that shaped character and confidence. More recently, he answered one final call to service by mentoring the Mathematics department through significant leadership and staff transitions, a contribution many regard as his most impactful work. Peter’s loyalty, dedication, and steadfast commitment to Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown will remain an enduring gift to generations of staff and students. May the road rise to meet you, Peter, wherever God leads you next.
17 Dec 2025
From Facebook
Last Wednesday evening our school had the honour of hosting the 2025 Patrician Appreciation Awards. This special event brought together Principals, Assistant Principals, REC's, Patrician Brothers, Delany Foundation Board members, award winners, and their families and friends to celebrate the remarkable and ongoing contributions of staff members in Patrician schools. We are delighted to announce our two award recipients from Blacktown - Mr Peter Ross and Mr Greg Beacroft. Their exceptional dedication and contributions to the Blacktown Patrician community over many years were formally recognised during the ceremony. Thank you, Peter and Greg, for your incredible service and impact. Your commitment continues to inspire us all! And a thank you to the people who helped behind the scenes to put the event together. This glittering event was the result of a tremendous team effort.
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22 Dec 2025
From Facebook
After an incredible career spanning over three decades, we bid farewell to a true Patrician legend, Mr Peter Ross. A proud old boy of Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown, Mr Ross was employed by Br Bernard Bulfin in 1988 and has spent nearly all of his professional life serving the Patrician community - mainly at Blacktown, punctuated with two years at John-Paul II Senior High School, Marayong. A gifted Mathematics teacher, Peter also contributed through key leadership roles including Year Coordinator, College timetabler, and valued member of the College Leadership Team. His impact extended far beyond the classroom. Peter coached countless sporting teams, especially Rugby League and Cricket, and played a major role in the College’s inaugural NRL Schoolboy Cup victory in 2012. He has generously supported school camps, snow trips, weekend expeditions, senior retreats, and international immersions, giving our students experiences that shaped character and confidence. More recently, he answered one final call to service by mentoring the Mathematics department through significant leadership and staff transitions, a contribution many regard as his most impactful work. Peter’s loyalty, dedication, and steadfast commitment to Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown will remain an enduring gift to generations of staff and students. May the road rise to meet you, Peter, wherever God leads you next.
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17 Dec 2025
From Facebook
Last Wednesday evening our school had the honour of hosting the 2025 Patrician Appreciation Awards. This special event brought together Principals, Assistant Principals, REC's, Patrician Brothers, Delany Foundation Board members, award winners, and their families and friends to celebrate the remarkable and ongoing contributions of staff members in Patrician schools. We are delighted to announce our two award recipients from Blacktown - Mr Peter Ross and Mr Greg Beacroft. Their exceptional dedication and contributions to the Blacktown Patrician community over many years were formally recognised during the ceremony. Thank you, Peter and Greg, for your incredible service and impact. Your commitment continues to inspire us all! And a thank you to the people who helped behind the scenes to put the event together. This glittering event was the result of a tremendous team effort.
17 Dec 2025
From Facebook
Congratulations to all the students who received awards, but also to the other students who worked consistently for the entire year but just missed out. Huge thanks to our incredible teachers for their efforts in encouraging and mentoring our students. Special mention for Mr Robinson for organising the ceremony.
09 Dec 2025
From Facebook
In celebration of the incredible sporting talent at our school, and the success we have been fortunate enough to experience at all representative levels, last week we held our Annual Sports Awards assembly for 2025. Across a vast range of sports and activities - as diverse as Chess, Volleyball, Touch, Badminton, Cricket, Soccer, AFL and Rugby League - the skills and dedication displayed by our students were truly impressive. Huge congratulations and thanks to the teachers who coached and organised teams each week, the students who participated with passion and sportsmanship proudly represented our school, and finally, to Mr Noah Meares for leading the assembly and facilitating our representative sport so professionally throughout the year.
08 Dec 2025
From Facebook
Last week, we held our annual Step Up Into Senior School (SUISS) program for Year 10 students. This program assists Year 10 students who are continuing into Year 11 to prepare for the significant step up into senior education. Workshops presented by our staff included study skills, managing health and wellbeing, respectful relationships and career pathways – complemented by sessions on motivation, setting goals, and team building presented by several outstanding guest speakers. Thanks to Miss Lombo and Mr Williams for their tremendous work in getting the program organised this year. And a special thanks to our guests: Daniel Merza, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Siosaia Vave and Matthew Cameron and Tuza from African Beats.
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.