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26 Sep 2026
From CSPD Facebook
🎓 CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2026! ✨ After an unforgettable school journey, our Year 12s are ready for their next chapter! 🥹 As Term 3 comes to an end, graduates across our high schools have celebrated their final days of school alongside the teachers, friends, families and school communities who have been part of their journey. 💙 From friendships and achievements to experiences that have shaped who they are and prepared them for what lies ahead, their school years have been filled with moments they’ll carry with them into the future. To the Class of 2026, congratulations on this incredible milestone! We’re so proud of all you’ve achieved and the contribution you’ve made to your school communities. 👏 Join us in celebrating our grads and wishing them all the best for the exciting journey ahead! ✨ 📸 Caroline Chisholm College Glenmore Park, Parramatta Marist High School, Nagle College, Blacktown South, Penola Catholic College Emu Plains, St Andrews College, Marayong (Official), Santa Sophia Catholic College Gables, St Agnes CHS Rooty Hill , St Columba's Catholic College, Springwood, St John XXIII Catholic College Stanhope Gardens, St Patrick's Marist College Dundas, Delany College, Granville, Catherine McAuley Westmead
23 Sep 2026
From CSPD Facebook
Our social media is one small window into some of the wonderful things that happen across our schools every day. You’ve probably noticed that we’re changing some of the ways we share these stories as we put recent recommendations from the eSafety Commissioner into practice. You will start to see fewer identifiable student images, and more of what happens around them - the work, the creativity, the achievement, the teamwork and the people who make it all happen. It’s a different way of telling the story. But there are still plenty of stories to tell! The safety and wellbeing of our students are always our highest priorities. This approach allows us to continue celebrating the learning, achievements and everyday moments that make our school communities so special, while being thoughtful about how student images are shared online. Our social media may look a little different, but that doesn’t mean you won’t still see some faces from time to time as we work with schools and families to share identifiable images when they help to tell an important part of the story and where permissions have been provided. Our purpose remains the same: sharing the inspiring stories of our 80 school communities across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
22 Sep 2026
From CSPD Facebook
🚀 STUDENTS PITCH THEIR WAY TO SUCCESS! 💭 A huge congratulations to the talented Year 8 students from Cerdon College Merrylands and St John Paul II Catholic College, Schofields & Nirimba, who have achieved outstanding results in this year’s Pitch for the Planet competition! 🌏💡 As part of The Orbispace Initiative, students spent months researching sustainability challenges linked to data centres, developing innovative solutions, building prototypes and pitching their ideas to industry leaders and investors. This year, 400 Year 8 girls from more than 40 schools across NSW took part in the four-day experience 🔬 ⭐ St John Paul II’s Team Nyctoloop investigated global warming and data centre cooling, winning their heat before taking out Runner Up in the State Grand Final! 🏆 Cerdon College entered two teams, Ganergy and Solaris, with both delivering outstanding presentations and progressing to the State Grand Final. Solaris was selected as the winning pitch for their innovative solution to cleaning, protecting and improving the efficiency of solar panels used in data centres. Pitch for the Planet is also helping open the door to STEM for more young women, giving students the opportunity to see the impact they can make through science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 🔬✨ Congratulations to all of our high school students who took part in the competition, and to the teachers and mentors who supported and guided them along the way! 👏
21 Sep 2026
From CSPD Facebook
🎉 40 YEARS OF FAITH, LEARNING & GROWTH! 🙏 Bede Polding College South Windsor has celebrated its 40th anniversary with the Opening and Blessing of its new Good Samaritan Learning Centre, Polding Learning Centre and Outdoor Courts! ✨ Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv led a beautiful blessing service for the school community and guests, marking four decades of faith, learning and growth at Bede Polding College. 🙏 The College was joined by special guests including Hon Peter Primrose MLC representing the Minister for Education Deputy Premier Hon Prue Car MP, Susan Templeman MP, Federal Member for Macquarie, Robyn Preston MP, State Member for Hawkesbury, Councillor Les Sheather, Mayor of Hawkesbury and past principals of the College. Head to the College website to learn more about its story. 💙 https://www.bedepoldingwindsor.catholic.edu.au/about/our-story
21 Sep 2026
From CSPD Facebook
🎓 READY TO START YOUR TEACHING JOURNEY? ✨ If you’re a Year 12 student thinking about becoming a teacher, the 2027 CSPD Teacher Scholarship Program could help you take your first steps into the classroom! With 30 scholarships available, successful applicants will receive: 📚 $5,000 per year towards full-time university study 📚 A brand-new laptop 📚 Paid employment opportunities in CSPD schools 📚 Mentoring and professional development 📚 A priority pathway to employment after graduation Scholarships are available for students interested in TAS, Religious Education, Mathematics and Science teaching. ⏰ Applications close Sunday 8 November 2026 🔗 Find out more and apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQPZJJW-q9SwSJcyAD0N2t8GU2SUTLnXx2S3CDxvQoDTtR3Q/viewform
19 Sep 2026
From CSPD Facebook
🎭 BE THE WITNESS ✝️ Year 5 and 6 students had the opportunity to experience Be the Witness at Riverside Theatre Parramatta, a contemporary Gospel musical bringing the life, death and resurrection of Christ to life through the eyes of the Apostle Peter. 🌟 Through music, storytelling and faith, students explored Peter’s journey of discipleship, courage, doubt and forgiveness, with plenty of moments to reflect on along the way. And what did students think? 👇 💬 “It was really lively and entertaining. I enjoyed the music, singing and acting, and it made the story of Jesus come alive.” – Christian, Year 6, St Michael's Blacktown South 💬 “I really liked that the story was told from Peter’s perspective instead of just focusing on Jesus. It gave me a different way of understanding the story, and it was really entertaining and fun to watch!” – Kate, Year 5, St Michael's Blacktown South 📸 St John Vianney's Primary Doonside, Mary Immaculate Primary School Quakers Hill, St Bernadette's Primary Dundas Valley
18 Sep 2026
From CSPD Facebook
⚽ KICKING GOALS FOR GOOD! 🤝 More than 230 students from 23 of our schools came together for the 2026 Socktober Launch and Soccer Gala Day, in partnership with Catholic Mission and the Western Sydney Wanderers FC, combining football, faith and a whole lot of competitive spirit! 🙌 Students hit the field for the Soccer Gala, with a twist! For the final five minutes of each match, they swapped their footballs for handmade ‘sockballs’ made from recycled materials, giving them a practical way to consider the experiences of children who don’t have the same access to resources and safe places to play sport. 🌏 This year, Socktober is supporting communities in Malawi, helping children access food and education and build brighter futures. 💙 👉 Read more about the day here: https://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/whats-on/latest-news/2026/09/18/02/11/kicking-goals-for-good-at-socktober-2026
18 Sep 2026
Kicking Goals for Good at Socktober 2026
More than 230 students from 23 Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) Primary and Secondary schools came together at Wanderers Fives in Rooty Hill on Monday 14 September for a day of football, faith and community as part of the 2026 Socktober Launch and Soccer Gala Day.
17 Sep 2026
From CSPD Facebook
⛑️ SKILLS THAT COULD ONE DAY SAVE A LIFE! 🩹 Students across our high schools have been learning how to respond in an emergency, building practical skills and confidence that they can take well beyond their VET and SLR studies. ➕ St Agnes CHS Rooty Hill Sports, Lifestyle and Recreation (SLR) students are officially First Aid certified! They’ve built the practical skills and confidence to respond when it counts. ➕ Gilroy Catholic College Castle Hill Year 10 Sport Coaching and Year 11 Fitness students tackled the REVIVA First Aid course as part of their VET studies, getting stuck into CPR, injury management and emergency response. ➕ Santa Sophia Catholic College Gables Year 11 SLR and VET Fitness students took part in practical CPR and First Aid training, learning how to stay calm, act quickly and support someone in an emergency. ➕ Patrician Brothers' College, Blacktown Year 11 Fitness and Sports Coaching students took their learning beyond the classroom, building First Aid skills they can put into practice in sporting and fitness environments. From knowing what to do in an emergency to having the confidence to step up and help, these are skills that can make a real difference when it matters. ⛑️👏
17 Sep 2026
From CSPD Facebook
✍️ FROM THE PAGE TO THE STAGE! 🎭 It was a special night for CAPTIVATE Drama After School Ensemble students, who recently attended The Monologue Collective by PlayLab Theatre at Riverside Parramatta @ PHIVE. The performance featured nine original monologues written by young people from across Western Sydney, with former Delany College, Granville student and 2025 CAPTIVATE Drama Ensemble member Jack Fitzpatrick among the emerging writers selected to have his work performed! 👏 Jack’s original piece, The Hermit, was selected through a competitive process before he worked alongside directors, playwrights and dramaturgs to develop his writing for the stage. “It’s been such a wonderful experience being part of this edition of the Monologue Collective. Getting to collaborate with so many artists throughout the whole process was so fulfilling, and seeing our writing realised on stage was a dream come true,” said Jack. 💫 CAPTIVATE Drama’s Lucinda Armour said Jack’s creativity and contribution to the program made the opportunity particularly special, adding that “Jack has a big future ahead.” What an incredible opportunity to see young Western Sydney voices brought to the stage! 🎭👏
15 Sep 2026
From CSPD Facebook
🌿 A DAY OF CULTURE AT BEDE POLDING! ✨ There was plenty happening at Bede Polding College South Windsor as Year 7 students took part in a special Jarara Immersion Day! Across the day, students explored First Nations culture and traditions through a range of interactive experiences, from cultural activities and storytelling to discovering the significance of Country and the stories connected to it. 🖤💛❤️ An experience that gave students plenty to take away, while creating space to discover, ask questions and experience culture in a different way. 🙌 👉 Want to learn more about Jarara and its work across CSPD? Find out more here: https://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/learning/specialised-learning/jarara
15 Sep 2026
From CSPD Facebook
🏆 CELEBRATING OUR 2026 BISHOP’S AWARD RECIPIENTS! ⭐ It was a special evening at St Patrick’s Cathedral as 31 Year 12 students from across the Diocese of Parramatta were celebrated at the annual Bishop’s Awards. ✨ Each student was recognised for the way they put their faith into action and make a positive difference through leadership, service, learning and care for others. From supporting their peers and leading their school communities to contributing to social justice, liturgy and community service, these students are making their mark in so many meaningful ways 👏 👉 Read the full story here: https://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/whats-on/latest-news/2026/09/10/04/03/bishops-awards-celebrate-student-leaders-across-parramatta-diocese
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