Celebrating NAIDOC Week

CSPD's Reconciliation Action Plan Project Manager, Amanda Fotheringham and Xavier College student, Kaiden Vanderschoot share their thoughts on NAIDOC Week and this year's theme, 'Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud'.

Reconciliation Action Plan

Celebrating NAIDOC Week

Reconciliation Week Video from Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese

Our focus on culture and connection

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) recognises and respects the heritage, spirituality, cultures and deep connection to Country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We are committed to creating inclusive and outstanding learning environments for all young people. Aboriginal education is incorporated on a daily basis into the curriculum of our 80 schools. Many of our schools have dedicated yarning spaces, cultural groups and inclusive Aboriginal Cultural Programs. An understanding of Aboriginal spirituality is incorporated into Religious Education programs, prayer and liturgy.

Our focus on culture and connection

Jarara Cultural Centre Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese

Jarara Cultural Centre

The Jarara Cultural Centre is an integral part of how we share culture, build capacity and provide pastoral care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their families. A vibrant hub of learning and connection nestled within the Aengus Kavanagh Centre in Mount Druitt, Jarara offers support across the diocese through a range of services and programs.

The mission of Jarara is to provide a culturally safe and welcoming environment where truth-telling, connection to culture, and reconciliation are not just ideals, but everyday practices.

‘Jarara’ is a Wiradjuri word meaning ‘water tumbling over rocks’.

Jarara Cultural Centre

Jarara Cultural Centre Video Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Ltd

Our Jarara Team

Our passionate and dedicated team, deeply connected to the community through personal ties, offers empathy, understanding and a steadfast commitment to fostering healing and resilience. We believe that all cultural differences are to be valued and are a rich resource to learn from. We are dedicated to creating pathways of understanding and respect through education.

We believe that high self esteem and sense of identity are vital for the effective learning and personal growth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Our Jarara Team

Jarara Cultural Centre Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese

What can Jarara help you with?

The team at the Jarara Cultural Centre run a wide range of enriching programs and services, including:

Jarara Cultural Centre Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese

Student Learning
Student Learning

  • Personalised Learning Plans for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
  • cultural workshops
  • cross cultural curriculum planning
  • Coordinating participation in Murama - an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Youth Ambassador Program 
  • Sky Country Dreaming - an innovative educational program that introduces students to traditional dance, music, art and language
Jarara Cultural Centre Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese

Cultural Requests
Cultural Requests

  • cultural competency school based projects (Mural, Yarning Circles etc)
  • consultation and cultural connection around student wellbeing
  • cultural immersion days for schools (students experience Aboriginal culture firsthand)
Teacher Professional Learning -Jarara Cultural Centre Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese

Teacher Professional Learning
Teacher Professional Learning

  • Crossing Cultures Hidden Histories - Cultural Competency Training (6 hours total, focusing on the often overlooked aspects of Aboriginal history and culture) 
  • curriculum development - collaborating with educators to develop and implement accurate and respectful Aboriginal curriculum materials
Jarara Cultural Centre Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese

Recommendations and Referrals
Recommendations and Referrals

  • Water Blessing
  • Welcome to Country
  • Aboriginal Spirituality consultation
  • Smoking Ceremony
  • Elder Invitation
  • Tools, technology and resources
  • Digital resources - LEX Library
  • Consultation and cultural connection facilities and environmental projects
Community Connections Jarara Cultural Centre Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Ltd

Community Connections
Community Connections

Jarara acts as the bridge connecting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and wider community, including to:

  • Aboriginal Elders
  • Baabayn Aboriginal Corporationdee
  • Kildare Medical Centre (dedicated Aboriginal medical service)
  • Muru Mittigar (Aboriginal Cultural and Education Centre)
  • Bangarra Dance Theatre
  • The Healing Foundation
  • Dalmarri Indigenous Organisation
Jarara Cultural Centre Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese

Fee and Uniform Advocacy
Fee and Uniform Advocacy

Jarara acts as the bridge connecting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and wider community, working towards equal access to educational opportunities.

  • Helping families navigate the financial aspects of education
  • Ensuring all students have access to the necessary resources
Partnerships and Pathways for Indigenous students Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese

Partnerships and Pathways
Partnerships and Pathways

  • Creating educational and career opportunities for students in Years 10-12.
Jarara Cultural Centre Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese

Truth-Telling Initiatives
Truth-Telling Initiatives

  • Collecting and sharing Elder stories, accounts of the Stolen Generations and other significant narratives
  • ‘For Our Elders’ student documentary project - training students in documentary filmmaking while capturing the stories of Elders.
Jarara Cultural Centre Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese

Wellbeing Support
Wellbeing Support

  • Offering emotional and social support to students
  • Ensuring student mental and emotional health is cared for alongside their academic growth.

Request a service

Connect with the Jarara team today to discuss how we may be able to support your family or school. Call (02) 9840 5672 or email us today.

Send us a message

Request a service

Jarara Cultural Centre Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese

Murama Youth Ambassador Program and Summit

Jarara is proud to participate in and support Murama, an Indigenous youth leadership program that has been delivered at Sydney Olympic Park since 2016. The Murama model involves a residential summit for emerging Indigenous leaders and unique opportunities for young people to exercise cultural leadership at events across the Park’s exciting calendar.

Backed by mentors, elders, community leaders and family, Murama sees young people journey through a deep cultural connection experience with a focus on healing and resilience. Murama includes workshops, cultural exchanges and leadership training.

Learn more about Murama

Learning in action See more

Jarara Gallery See more

What schools in the Diocese of Parramatta learn

Our schools include the following as the basis for learning and teaching programs:

seeking cultural advice and understanding
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students coming together
sharing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history
building connections and relationships within and beyond the classroom
student engagement
Aboriginal content and perspectives embedded in all Key Learning Areas
embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures into the school strategic plan
building staff and students’ cultural knowledge about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, histories and experiences
Personalising learning for each student
demonstrating that Aboriginal culture is truly valued in the school environment.
Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge, and pay respect, to the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land.

CSNSW Statement

Catholic education is committed to maximising learning opportunities for all indigenous peoples.

Gulyangarri Starting School

Getting your child/bub ready for school can be exciting and scary at the same time. Here are some great tips.

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