Student at St Oliver's Catholic Out of School Hours Care (COSHC) Harris Park. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
At this time of crisis, the Diocese of Parramatta’s network of early-years education and care services provides a vital service for families who continue to require childcare, in particular any family involved in providing essential services.
During the Term One school holidays, vacation care services will begin on Tuesday 14 April and operate at the following 11 locations:
- St Michael’s Primary School Blacktown South
- St Bernadette’s Primary School Castle Hill
- Bethany Catholic Primary School Glenmore Park
- Holy Cross Primary School Glenwood
- St Monica’s Primary School North Parramatta
- Good Shepherd Primary School Plumpton
- Mary Immaculate Primary School Quakers Hill
- Catholic Learning Community of St John XXIII Stanhope Gardens
- Mother Teresa Primary School Westmead
- St Paul the Apostle Primary School Winston Hills
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School Wentworthville
Vacation care is available to all families regardless of whether their children are enrolled at Catholic schools or elsewhere.
Each Catholic Out of School Hours Care centre will have COVID-19 protocols in place, and are keeping in close contact with NSW Health regarding the latest NSW and Federal Government advice.
Learn more about Catholic Out of School Hours Care
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
-
02 Mar 2026
Catholic School Open Days
We are enrolling now! Attend your local Catholic school's Open Day to find out more.
04 May 2026
Western Sydney Careers of Today | Parent Education Forum 2026
Choosing a career path has never been more complex. With industries rapidly evolving and new roles emerging every year, many parents feel unsure about how best to guide their child’s future. Join us for an informative and engaging evening designed to help you navigate what’s next.
Instagram | CSPD
More News
18 Apr 2026
From CSPD Facebook
HEARTFELT CONNECTIONS 🥰 It's a joy to see Year 5 students from St Bernadette's Primary, Castle Hill spending quality time with residents from BUPA Aged Care Dural. From sharing stories over a cuppa and morning tea to enjoying a special visit from Fr Menard, the morning was filled with warmth, laughter and meaningful connections. 🎉 The visit wrapped up on a high with a lively game of bingo (and some well-earned prizes!) St Bernadette’s is already looking forward to many more special moments with their friends from BUPA Dural 💫 Learn more about how our students engage in a wide range of local community activities here 👉 https://www.stbernadetteschill.catholic.edu.au/school-life/our-faith-journey
19 Apr 2026
From CSPD Instagram
🤝 TERM 1 FUNDRAISING ✨ Throughout Term 1, our school communities demonstrated incredible generosity, supporting meaningful causes during the Lenten and Easter season through fundraising and donations. From Caritas Australia and Jesuit Social Services, to St Joseph’s College in Tenaru (Solomon Islands) and The Haven Nepean Women’s Shelter, our schools have proudly supported organisations making a real difference. Students and staff brought energy and creativity to a range of fundraising events and stalls, including face painting, cookie decorating, hair braiding, sporting activities, sausage sizzles, raffles, hamper drives and more! 🎉 A heartfelt thank you to our schools for your ongoing compassion, generosity and community spirit 💙 📸 St Finbar's Primary Glenbrook, St Nicholas of Myra Primary Penrith, Penola Catholic College Emu Plains, Catherine McAuley Westmead, Parramatta Marist High, St Thomas Aquinas Primary Springwood, Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Primary Rouse Hill, Caroline Chisholm College Glenmore Park @stfinbarsglenbrook @penolaemuplains @catherinemcauleywestmead @parramatta.marist @carolinechisholmglenmorepark @caritasaust @thehavennepean #cspd2026 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #fundraiser
17 Apr 2026
From CSPD Facebook
🤝 TERM 1 FUNDRAISING HIGHLIGHTS 🤝 Throughout Term 1, our school communities have shown incredible generosity, supporting important causes during the Lenten and Easter season through fundraising and donations. From Caritas Australia and Jesuit Social Services, to St Joseph’s College in Tenaru (Solomon Islands) and The Haven - Nepean Women's Shelter, our schools have proudly backed organisations making a real difference. Students and staff hosted vibrant fundraising events and stalls, including face painting, hair braiding, sporting activities, sausage sizzles, Easter raffles, hamper drives and more 🎉 A huge thank you to our schools involved for your ongoing compassion, creativity and generosity 💙 📸 St Finbar's Primary, Glenbrook, St Nicholas of Myra Primary Penrith, Penola Catholic College Emu Plains, Catherine McAuley Westmead, Holy Family Primary Luddenham, Parramatta Marist High School, St Thomas Aquinas Primary School Springwood, Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Primary School Rouse Hill, Caroline Chisholm College Glenmore Park 👉 Visit their pages to learn more about their fundraising initiatives and impact!
18 Apr 2026
From CSPD Instagram
TIME WELL SPENT TOGETHER 🥰 Year 5 students from St Bernadette’s Primary Castle Hill shared a special morning with residents from BUPA Aged Care Dural filled with conversation, connection and plenty of smiles. Over a cuppa and morning tea, stories were shared and friendships grew, made even more memorable with a visit from Fr Menard. The morning ended on a high with a fun game of bingo and some exciting prizes 🎉 St Bernadette’s is already looking forward to many more visits with their friends at BUPA Dural! 💫 Discover more about how our students connect with their local community via the link in our bio. #cspd2026 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #stbernadettesprimarycastlehill
16 Apr 2026
From CSPD Facebook
🔍 LOOK A LITTLE CLOSER... Did you do a double take? 👀 The creative Year 6 students from St Paul the Apostle Primary Winston Hills had a blast experimenting with perspective in their Photography class, bringing clever optical illusions to life! 📸 Take a closer look at the creativity, collaboration and imagination behind these fantastic shots! 👏
17 Apr 2026
From CSPD Instagram
💙 SECONDARY WELLBEING HUBS 💙 What if every student had a space where they felt safe, supported and ready to reconnect with learning? CSPD’s Secondary Wellbeing Hubs provide a calm, flexible environment where students can reset, build confidence and re-engage at their own pace. Whether supporting wellbeing, attendance or everyday challenges, these hubs help students stay connected to their learning every step of the way. By strengthening relationships and supporting more inclusive classrooms, they’re making a meaningful difference across our secondary schools. Because when students feel supported, they’re empowered to thrive 💫 Learn more about the Wellbeing Hubs at the link in our bio. #cspd2026 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #wellbeing
16 Apr 2026
From CSPD Instagram
🎉 CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LEARNING 🎉 More than 600 students, families, alumni and staff gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta to mark a significant milestone - St Patrick’s Primary Parramatta’s 100th anniversary! 💫 The commemorative Mass celebrated a proud legacy shaped by generations of learners and educators, grounded in faith, belonging and excellence. With origins dating back to 1820, the school continues to inspire and nurture young minds for the future. As stories were shared and memories brought to life, the celebration honoured the past while looking ahead to the next chapter in St Patrick’s journey. Here’s to a century of learning... and many more years to come 💙✨ 🔗 Read more at the link in our bio. @stpatricksprimaryparramatta #cspd2026 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #100yearanniversary
14 Apr 2026
From CSPD Facebook
🎉 100 YEARS OF LEARNING & COMMUNITY 🏫 More than 600 people, including students, families, alumni and staff, came together at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta to celebrate an incredible milestone - St Patrick's Parramatta 100th anniversary 💫 This special Mass honoured a rich legacy shaped by generations of learners, educators and families, united by a spirit of faith, belonging and excellence. As one of Australia’s oldest parish schools, with origins dating back to 1820, St Patrick’s continues to inspire and nurture young minds for the future. With stories shared and memories revisited, the celebrations marked not just a moment in time, but the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Here’s to 100 years of learning… and many more to come 💙✨ Read more about the celebrations here 👉https://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/whats-on/latest-news/2026/03/19/02/33/st-patricks-primary-celebrates-100-years-of-learning-in-parramatta
15 Apr 2026
From CSPD Instagram
Different eras, different songs, one shared passion for teaching! 🏫🎶 The incredible staff from Our Lady of the Nativity Primary Lawson took to the floor, each dancing to a song from the year their teaching journey began!🕺👏 @olnlawson #cspd2026 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #westernsydney #parracatholic #staffthrowback
14 Apr 2026
5 Ways to Build Better Learning Routines at Home
The habits your child builds now will shape how they thrive in high school and beyond. Here's what the research and local educators say actually works.
13 Apr 2026
From CSPD Facebook
🎨 EXPLORING WONDERS ON THE WALL Year 2 students from St Oliver's Primary Harris Park stepped out on a local walk to see something special taking shape in Little India, Harris Park - a vibrant new mural in the making! ✨ 🖌️ Along the way, they met the talented artists behind the work and discovered how the mural journey began with sketches on paper before moving to digital designs and finally onto the wall. Stretching an impressive 120 metres, the mural features native birds, flowers and intricate patterns, all brought to life using aerosol techniques over four weeks. What an inspiring, hands-on learning experience that sparked curiosity and creativity, while giving students a valuable insight into the world of public art! 🤩
14 Apr 2026
From CSPD Instagram
✝️ BEGINNING THE JOURNEY: 2026 EDUCATORS COMMISSIONED A significant milestone was celebrated at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, as almost 100 beginning teachers and nine new principals were officially commissioned ✨ The annual ceremony marks an important moment in the life of the Diocese, recognising the vital role educators and leaders play in the mission of Catholic education. It was a hope-filled celebration honouring the dedication, passion and commitment these educators bring to shaping the lives of young people each day 🤝 We congratulate all newly commissioned educators and keep them in our prayers as they step into this meaningful new chapter in their vocation ✝️ Read more and view the full gallery via the link in our bio. #cspd2026 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #catholiceducation
12 Apr 2026
From CSPD Facebook
✝️ BEGINNING THE JOURNEY: 2026 EDUCATORS COMMISSIONED What a special milestone as almost 100 beginning teachers and nine new principals were commissioned at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta ✨ Each year, this ceremony stands as a significant moment in the life of the Diocese, highlighting the vital contribution of educators and leaders in Catholic education. It was a hope-filled occasion recognising the passion, commitment and dedication these educators bring to shaping the lives of young people every day 🤝 We congratulate all newly commissioned educators and pray for them as they begin this meaningful new chapter in their vocation! ✝️ Read more and access the full gallery here 👉 https://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/whats-on/latest-news/2026/03/24/03/32/beginning-the-journey-2026-educators-commissioned
13 Apr 2026
From CSPD Instagram
🏎️ STEM SUCCESS ON THE PODIUM 🏁 St John XXIII Catholic College Stanhope Gardens achieved an outstanding result at the STEM Racing Australian National Finals in Melbourne, placing 3rd in Australia overall! 🤩🏆 Supported by Formula 1, this global competition challenges students to step into the world of professional motorsport - designing, building and racing miniature F1 cars while operating as real racing teams! 🤯 Team Antares delivered a phenomenal performance, consistently ranking among the top in every category - including a perfect 80/80 for their engineering specifications ⭐ Team Onix also impressed, taking out Best Marketing and Best Trade Display, and finishing 6th in Australia - an incredible achievement! Parramatta Marist High's Team Fortior also secured a fantastic result, placing 15th in a highly competitive national field 🏆 An unforgettable national experience, with students showcasing outstanding dedication, teamwork and sportsmanship as they proudly represented their schools on the big stage. 👏 Huge congratulations to all students and staff involved! @stjohnxxiiicatholiccollege @parramatta.marist #cspd2026 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #stem
11 Apr 2026
From CSPD Facebook
🏎️ STEM SUCCESS DRIVES PODIUM FINISH 🏁 St John XXIII Catholic College Stanhope Gardens celebrated an incredible result at the STEM Racing Australian National Finals in Melbourne, placing 3rd in Australia overall! 🤩🏆 Supported globally by Formula 1, this international STEM competition sees students step into the world of elite motorsport - designing, building and racing miniature F1 cars while working as professional racing teams. Trading school uniforms for team gear, students embraced the challenge of innovation, engineering and speed under real-world racing conditions. Team Antares delivered a standout performance across the weekend, consistently ranking among the top in every category - including a perfect 80/80 for their car engineering specifications! ⭐ Team Onix also impressed, taking out Best Marketing and Best Trade Display and finishing 6th in Australia - an amazing achievement! Parramatta Marist High School's Team Fortior also achieved a fantastic result, placing 15th in a highly competitive field 🏆 What an unforgettable experience competing on the national stage, with students showing incredible dedication, teamwork and sportsmanship while representing their schools with pride. 👏 Huge congratulations to these teams and all students and staff involved!