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.
Held on Thursday 3 September at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta, the celebration brought together award recipients and their families, school representatives, staff from Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) and special guests, including Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Fr Robert Riedling, Dr Hugh McDermott MP, State Member for Prospect, and Councillor Todd Carney, Mayor of Penrith.
The evening recognised students whose lives and actions reflect a deep commitment to their Catholic faith, leadership, compassion and care for others, academic excellence and a desire to make a positive difference in the world.
Students were nominated by their school in acknowledgement of their contributions across a range of areas, including social justice initiatives, liturgy and prayer, peer mentoring, community service and student leadership.
CSPD Chief Executive Officer Jack de Groot congratulated the recipients, highlighting that the awards recognise more than individual achievements.
"Each of you has been chosen by your school because you represent something bigger than one achievement," said Jack.
“You represent the values we seek to nurture in every student. You demonstrate that excellence can be seen not only in what you achieve, but in who you are becoming.”
In his address, Bishop Vincent highlighted the important contribution young people make to the Church and wider community through their faithful response to God’s call, encouraging students to continue using their gifts in service of others.
The evening was a fitting tribute to who these young people are becoming and the values they will carry with them beyond their school years.
Congratulations to the 2026 Bishop’s Excellence Award recipients:
Brendan Bugeja, Bede Polding College South Windsor
Anastasia Rubelj, Caroline Chisholm College Glenmore Park
Riane Salentes, Catherine McAuley Westmead
Noah Pickering, CathWest Innovation College Mount Druitt
Felicity Roach, Cerdon College Merrylands
Lamea Pirini, Delany College Granville
Angelina Dicenso, Emmaus Catholic College Kemps Creek
Antonella Bayeh, Gilroy Catholic College Castle Hill
Sophia Lagos, Marian Catholic College Kenthurst
Chris Saba, Maronite College of the Holy Family Parramatta
Lucy Ciappara, Montgrove College Orchard Hills
Ericka Brillo, Nagle College Blacktown South
Antonio Zeaiter, Oakhill College Castle Hill
Maria Wahbe, Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta
Jico Reyes, Parramatta Marist High School
Jayden Cortis, Patrician Brothers' College Blacktown
Amelie Parsley, Penola Catholic College Emu Plains
Olivia Small, Santa Sophia Catholic College Gables
Tiana Bawab, St Agnes Catholic High School Rooty Hill
Samantha Xavier, St Andrews College Marayong
Isaac Lalia, St Clare's Catholic High School Hassall Grove
Amelia Steadman, St Columba’s Catholic College Springwood
Jack Sammut, St Dominic's College Kingswood
Tyarrah Jimenez, St John Paul II Catholic College Nirimba Fields
Nicole Mascarenhas, St John XXIII Catholic College Stanhope Gardens
Yram Summer Claudio, St Luke's Catholic College Marsden Park
Alex Jahja, St Patrick's Marist College Dundas
Richard Nasr, St Pauls Catholic College Greystanes
Claire Cabela, Tangara School for Girls Cherrybrook
Abel Antony, Wollemi College Werrington
Emily Vella, Xavier College Llandilo
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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29 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Following the Graduation Mass and guard of honour earlier in the day, our celebrations continued into the evening with our Year 12 Graduation Ceremony. It was an unforgettable night for our Year 12 students and their families. The evening included inspirational speeches, a brilliant musical performance, presentations of graduation portfolios and major awards, and a special blessing over our graduates by staff,parents and guests. We are so proud of the Class of 2026 and can’t wait to see what the future holds for each of them. Congratulations! These images have been shared with the permission of the students’ parents/carers.26 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Continuing tradition, we commenced our Year 12 Graduation Day with a Graduation Mass attended by Years 7-12 students and staff. Led by Fr. Wim, it was a memorable liturgical farewell for the Class of 2026 at Patrician Brothers’ College. With moving performances from our school choir and Year 12 music students, it was a wonderful celebration for our whole community, giving us the opportunity to give thanks for their many gifts and contributions to our school community - and pray for them into the future. After Mass, the entire school formed a guard of honour to applaud the students as they walked out through the school, with a parting cultural tribute from our Pasifika students adding an emotional finale. These images have been shared with the permission of the students’ parents/carers, for this purpose.
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29 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Following the Graduation Mass and guard of honour earlier in the day, our celebrations continued into the evening with our Year 12 Graduation Ceremony. It was an unforgettable night for our Year 12 students and their families. The evening included inspirational speeches, a brilliant musical performance, presentations of graduation portfolios and major awards, and a special blessing over our graduates by staff,parents and guests. We are so proud of the Class of 2026 and can’t wait to see what the future holds for each of them. Congratulations! These images have been shared with the permission of the students’ parents/carers.
26 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Continuing tradition, we commenced our Year 12 Graduation Day with a Graduation Mass attended by Years 7-12 students and staff. Led by Fr. Wim, it was a memorable liturgical farewell for the Class of 2026 at Patrician Brothers’ College. With moving performances from our school choir and Year 12 music students, it was a wonderful celebration for our whole community, giving us the opportunity to give thanks for their many gifts and contributions to our school community - and pray for them into the future. After Mass, the entire school formed a guard of honour to applaud the students as they walked out through the school, with a parting cultural tribute from our Pasifika students adding an emotional finale. These images have been shared with the permission of the students’ parents/carers, for this purpose.
23 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Last night, 12 of our students took a significant step in their faith journey by receiving one or more of the Catholic sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. We honour their commitment to their spiritual growth and applaud their commitment to living out our Patrician values every day. Congratulations boys, may your faith continue to grow strong and inspire our school community. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
22 Sep 2026
From Facebook
We are thrilled to congratulate Jayden on winning the prestigious Bishop of Parramatta Award for Student Excellence! This award recognises students for their witness to the Catholic faith and contributions to the school community. Jayden approaches his education with deep commitment, compassion, and faith. His efforts include altar serving at St John Vianney Church and at school, volunteering with the Vinnies Van to support the poor and marginalised, teaching Special Religious Education, while always striving for academic excellence and supporting his peers. Accompanying him at the award ceremony was Jordan, who read the citation for Jayden. Jordan was selected for his leadership qualities and dedication to the school.
18 Sep 2026
From Facebook
17 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to our UNSW Gateway Offer Recipients! Patrician Brothers’ Blacktown has had over 20 students from our Graduating Class of 2026 receive a Gateway offer from the University of New South Wales. We are extremely proud of our students!
15 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Recently, we celebrated NAIDOC Week at Patrician Brothers’ Blacktown. The energy throughout the week was amazing, including the fierce daily tug-of-war Knockout, ‘Didge-Ya-Know’ scavenger hunts in the Resource Centre and huge Breakfast Club gatherings - all culminating in Friday afternoon’s epic Oztag challenge match, where the Indigenous All-Stars managed to claim victory over the staff team! Thank you to all the staff and students who participated, cheered from the stands, and made this week such a vibrant celebration of unity and community.
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.