If you've ever assumed that attending a Catholic school means you have to be Catholic and that the fees are expensive, you're not alone. It's a common perception, but for many families, the reality looks quite different.
You don't need to be Catholic to belong.
Catholic schools offer character formation that respects the religious and non-religious backgrounds of all students. Day to day, faith shows up through kindness, resilience, service to others, and a genuine sense of belonging, built through learning and social justice programs that let kids make a real difference.
The curriculum looks a lot like you'd expect.
Catholic schools teach the NSW curriculum and are proud of the academic achievements of our students. Religious Education is designed for students of any religious or non-religious background. For those students who are Catholic, it aims to support them in understanding their faith. For other students, it aims to help them learn more about a Catholic understanding of life.
Academic results speak for themselves.
Catholic schools consistently punch above their weight - strong HSC results, dedicated teachers and a genuine sense of community that means every student is known and supported.
The benefits last well beyond graduation.
A 2025 study using HILDA data found Catholic school graduates were, on average, more likely to be employed, reported higher life satisfaction and better general health, were more likely to donate to charity, and earned a 4-11% wage premium vs government-school peers after controls.
And the fees question - it's more affordable than people assume.
Catholic education isn't the exclusive, expensive world some parents imagine. Fees are kept as low as possible, with families paying less each day than they'd spend on everyday essentials like lunch or parking. Sibling discounts are available, flexible payment plans are standard and schools work with families experiencing genuine financial hardship. No family is turned away simply because of their inability to pay.
The bottom line:
Catholic schools today are inclusive, high-achieving, values-driven communities. The best way to see what one is really like is to experience it firsthand. Attend an open day or speak with staff about the programs and community that make each school unique.
Curious what this looks like in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains?
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) is a community of 80 schools where every family is welcomed and supported to thrive. With affordable fees, high-quality learning programs, state-of-the-art facilities and a strong focus on wellbeing and belonging, CSPD schools empower every child to strive for greatness.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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15 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to Xavier Zahra, who placed first in the Under 15 NSWCCC Cross Country. We wish Xavier the best of luck as he prepares to represent NSWCCC at the NSW All Schools State Cross Country Championships in early August. He is running with the goal of qualifying for the NSW All Schools team to compete at the School Sport Australia Championships later this year. We also want to give a special shout out to Bernie Irvine who placed 17th in the Under 14 event and Harvey Irvine who placed 13th in the Under 13 event. They ran with determination and pride - well done to all our athletes.
13 Jul 2026
From Facebook
An incredible achievement for Charlie Xuereb, Steven Nunn, Cordell Murdock-Arama, and Cornelius Pupualii, who have been selected in the 2026 Australian Schoolboys Rugby League Team. With four Patties students earning Australian honours this year, it also marks the fourth consecutive year that Patrician Brothers’ Blacktown has had three or more players selected in the Australian Schoolboys team. The squad will assemble in October to take on the Papua New Guinea Junior Kumuls, and we can’t wait to see our boys pull on the green and gold and represent Australia on the international stage. Congratulations, boys! Your hard work has earned you this opportunity, and the entire Patties community will be cheering you on every step of the way.
Latest News More news
17 Jul 2026
What's It Really Like to Send Your Kid to a Catholic School?
If you've ever assumed that attending a Catholic school means you have to be Catholic and that the fees are expensive, you're not alone. It's a common perception, but for many families, the reality looks quite different.
15 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to Xavier Zahra, who placed first in the Under 15 NSWCCC Cross Country. We wish Xavier the best of luck as he prepares to represent NSWCCC at the NSW All Schools State Cross Country Championships in early August. He is running with the goal of qualifying for the NSW All Schools team to compete at the School Sport Australia Championships later this year. We also want to give a special shout out to Bernie Irvine who placed 17th in the Under 14 event and Harvey Irvine who placed 13th in the Under 13 event. They ran with determination and pride - well done to all our athletes.
13 Jul 2026
From Facebook
An incredible achievement for Charlie Xuereb, Steven Nunn, Cordell Murdock-Arama, and Cornelius Pupualii, who have been selected in the 2026 Australian Schoolboys Rugby League Team. With four Patties students earning Australian honours this year, it also marks the fourth consecutive year that Patrician Brothers’ Blacktown has had three or more players selected in the Australian Schoolboys team. The squad will assemble in October to take on the Papua New Guinea Junior Kumuls, and we can’t wait to see our boys pull on the green and gold and represent Australia on the international stage. Congratulations, boys! Your hard work has earned you this opportunity, and the entire Patties community will be cheering you on every step of the way.
11 Jul 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to former Patties student, Jared Haywood (Class of 2024), on making his NRL debut for the Wests Tigers! Jared now becomes the 97th student from Patrician Brothers’ Blacktown to play in the NRL. Jared truly embodies what it means to be a Patrician Brothers’ boy. Always smiling, he approaches life with a positive attitude and a willingness to contribute. He recently returned to the College to support our Primary Schools Gala Day, continuing to give back to the Patties community. During his time at the College, Jared was a valued member of the Schoolboy Cup teams in both 2023 and 2024, proudly co-captaining the side to a State Final victory in 2024. In his final year at Patties, Jared was named Sportsman of the Year and represented the College in Athletics, Touch Football and Cross Country. He also earned selection in the CCC Rugby League and Touch Football teams, as well as the prestigious Australian Schoolboys Rugby League team. The entire Patties community is incredibly proud of you, Jared. We wish you all the very best for your NRL career.
08 Jul 2026
CSPD students recognised in Refugee Week Creative Competition
Over 125 students from 10 Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) schools have been recognised for their empathy and powerful storytelling as part of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Australia Refugee Week Creative Competition.
03 Jul 2026
From Facebook
This week, a select group of our Year 10 students partnered with Nagle College to lead two engaging and meaningful leadership sessions for Years 5 and 6 at St Patrick’s Primary School. Demonstrating remarkable confidence, our students served as youth ministers, delivering insightful presentations on leadership and faith, and facilitated dynamic small-group discussions. From leading prayers to energising the room with interactive games and songs, they displayed a level of maturity, warmth, and genuine care that resonated with everyone present. The primary students were truly captivated, instantly recognising the Year 10s as wonderful role models. The vibrant energy and enthusiasm throughout the sessions were a testament to the strong connections formed. The Patrician Brothers’ and Nagle students involved in this program deserve immense credit, and will certainly leave a lasting positive impact on the young leaders of tomorrow. This initiative stands as a model for collaborative student formation between primary and secondary schools across the diocese.
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.
