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CSPD Communications
communications@parra.catholic.edu.au
Ph: 02 9840 5600
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Jack De Groot
Executive Director
School principals and office staff as appropriate. We have experts in areas such as Wellbeing, Learning, Religious Education and Indigenous Education.
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Latest Catholic Education News See more
10 Mar 2026
From CSPD Facebook
NAPLAN season is here, but how much does it really matter? 🤔 Learn what it measures, what it doesn’t and how to support your child with confidence in 2026. Read our guide (1 min read) 👉 https://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/2026-03-NAPLAN-fb
10 Mar 2026
From CSPD Facebook
FREE Parent Event: Raising Resilient Kids in a Fast-Paced World 💬 Parenting in today’s fast-paced world isn’t always easy. Join author and parent educator Gen Muir for practical tips on helping children build resilience, confidence and emotional wellbeing. You’ll walk away with helpful ideas to support your child through big emotions, friendship challenges, sibling conflict and the ups and downs of growing up. 📅 Tuesday 24 March ⏰ 7:00pm – 8:30pm (doors open 6:30pm) 📍 St John XXIII Catholic College, Stanhope Gardens Come along, connect with other parents and learn more about CSPD’s new Family Partnership Council - FPC. 🔗 Register now: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1E4WVkcLEfGH7Jf59uuo7qi-HfXNtVwKQxeeCdv9-Z38/viewform?ts=69a8d620&edit_requested=true Connected Parenting
10 Mar 2026
NAPLAN: What Parents Really Need to Know
Each March, families across Australia hear a lot about NAPLAN. The National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. But what does it really mean for your child in 2026?
09 Mar 2026
From CSPD Facebook
BIG CRICKET BREAK! ⭐🏏 Look out Glenn Maxwell, there’s another all-rounder on the rise, and he’s a CSPD student! 😱 Congratulations to Arjun Singh from St John Paul II Catholic College, Schofields & Nirimba, who recently earned selection in the Australian All Schools Cricket Team after starring with both bat and ball for NSW at the All Schools Cricket Championships in WA. 🙌 🇦🇺 A big shoutout as well to Kyra Prajapati from Catherine McAuley Westmead who was part of the NSW All Schools team that finished second in the tournament. Arjun’s involvement in the All Schools event meant he missed representing the incredible St John Paul II team that made the final of the NSWCCC Berg Shield. While they narrowly lost the final, the team should be incredibly proud of their performance! Special mention to Parth and Jeyaan for scoring half-centuries, and Aleena and Om for taking three wickets each in a brilliant semi-final win. Great work to all these talented students - the future of cricket is looking bright! 👏🤩
09 Mar 2026
From CSPD Facebook
Looking for an excellent local school? 👀✨ At CSPD’s 80 local schools, students are supported to grow through learning, leadership, sport, the arts, trades and service - building character, confidence and belonging, in the classroom and beyond. Enrol at a school near you: https://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/our-schools/enrolment/enrolment-applications
07 Mar 2026
From CSPD Facebook
🙏✨ A Special Visit from the Bishop! The community at St John Paul II Catholic College, Schofields & Nirimba welcomed Vincent Long Van Nguyen, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta, for a memorable visit. Bishop Vincent spent time engaging with students and staff, listening to the many ways they bring the Gospel to life in their learning and service. He was particularly inspired by the students involved in the Diocesan Catechist Programme, who share their faith with younger students in local state primary schools, as well as the incredible work of the Faith in Action team in promoting social justice initiatives. As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, visits like these highlight what makes our school communities so special - faith lived out in action, a spirit of compassion and students striving to make a positive difference. 💛
06 Mar 2026
From CSPD Facebook
💜 CELEBRATING WOMEN, INSPIRING CHANGE 💫 This Sunday, 8 March, we recognise International Women’s Day, a powerful opportunity to celebrate the strength, resilience and achievements of women and girls in our communities and around the world. Throughout the week, our schools and CSPD representatives have come together to celebrate and learn from inspiring female leaders: ✨ Student leaders from Caroline Chisholm College Glenmore Park proudly represented CSPD at the Business Western Sydney IWD Luncheon, delivering the vote of thanks. The event featured a keynote from College graduate and Deputy Premier/Minister for Education and Western Sydney, The Hon Prue Car MP, alongside CSPD Chair Elizabeth Crouch on an empowering panel. ✨ Catherine McAuley Westmead welcomed Kirsten Andrews, Vice President at the University of Sydney, who shared her inspiring story about education as a catalyst for social change. The event was also attended by Sr Margaret Jones RSM, The Hon Julia Finn MP and The Hon Donna Davis MP. ✨ Nagle College, Blacktown South hosted Professor Azadeh Dastyari, Director of the Centre for Western Sydney at Western Sydney University, who inspired students through her work in advocacy, leadership and human rights. The assembly was made even more special with the participation of the young girls from St Michael's Blacktown South. Together, these moments highlight the importance of empowering young women, amplifying voices and celebrating leadership in our communities. 🙌
05 Mar 2026
From CSPD Facebook
DA VINCI DECATHLON 🧠✨ Innovation, teamwork and big ideas were on full display as Santa Sophia Catholic College Gables proudly hosted the Da Vinci Decathlon Regional Event for the first time! Across three exciting days, 76 teams and more than 600 students from Catholic, Independent and Anglican schools competed across disciplines centred around this year’s theme, ‘Time.’ Students impressed judges with their creativity and problem-solving, particularly in the Engineering challenges where teams built pendulum clocks, pulley systems and zip lines under time pressure. 👏 Congratulations to the many CSPD schools who achieved outstanding results: 🏆 St John Paul II Catholic College, Schofields & Nirimba – Year 8 Overall Winner • Yr 7: 1st Art & Poetry • Yr 8: 1st Science • Yr 10: 1st Mathematics 🏆 St Bernadette's Primary, Castle Hill – Year 6 Overall Winner • 1st English, Science 🥈St Michael's Baulkham Hills – Year 5 2nd Overall Winner • Yr 5: 1st Code Breaking, Legacy • Yr 6: 1st Ideation 🥈Mother Teresa Primary Westmead – Year 6 2nd Overall Winner 🥉St Columba's Catholic College, Springwood – Year 8 3rd Overall Winner • Yr 7: 1st Ideation, Legacy • Yr 9: 1st Code Breaking, Legacy 🌟 Additional 1st place discipline achievements: • Santa Sophia Catholic College Gables – Yr 6 Art & Poetry, Creative Producers; Yr 7 & 8 Cartography; Yr 7 Mathematics; Yr 8 Code Breaking, Legacy • St Agnes CHS Rooty Hill – Yr 8 Creative Producers; Yr 10 Art & Poetry, Cartography • Marian Catholic College Kenthurst – Yr 9 Cartography; Yr 10 Engineering • Penola Catholic College Emu Plains – Yr 8 Engineering • St Angela's Primary School Castle Hill – Yr 6 Mathematics • St Luke's Catholic College Marsden Park – Yr 6 Legacy • St John Vianney's Primary Doonside – Yr 6 Engineering • OLQP Primary Greystanes – Yr 5 Art & Poetry 👏 A fantastic effort also from St Mary’s Primary Rydalmere and St Pauls Catholic College, Greystanes who participated in the competition. 🏁 The overall winners now advance to the State Final in May and we’re excited to share that Santa Sophia will host the Regional Event again in 2027! Good luck to all teams heading to the next stage! 🚀
