Early in Term Two, the Marist Learning Zone, like many schools, conducted lessons online. However, the digital divide in Western Sydney presented some challenges: families lacking suitable devices, adequate internet or simply a quiet space for lessons were disadvantaged. Our plan of hand delivering hard copies of lesson materials, with a view to collecting completed lessons a few days later had limited success as well.
As a result, MLZ took the decision to resume normal classes very early in the term. This was safe because of ample space to manage social distancing. With careful hygiene measures in place, they were back to work, more or less normally.
Many families took advantage of the early start, and MLZ found that attendance increased significantly this term. At present, there are 15 students who attend MLZ regularly, with several more about to begin. Each student has an attendance plan, splitting their days between school attendance and MLZ attendance. Usually there are six or seven students with MLZ each day.
Individualised lessons enable each student to maintain their progress, keeping pace with their school's program, as far as possible. It is gratifying to see that several Marist Learning Zone students are improving attendance, some having plans in place to return to full-time schooling in the coming weeks.
Marist Learning Zone (MLZ)
www.mlz.catholic.edu.au
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01 Feb 2025
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17 Jul 2025
From CSPD Instagram
THANK YOU to our incredible school communities for their ongoing generosity, compassion and support of their school fundraising initiatives!🤲❤️ 👏 Here’s a look at some of the donation efforts recently completed across our schools: 🌟 St Angela's Primary Castle Hill, St Patrick's Primary Parramatta, St Monica's Primary Richmond, St Michael's Blacktown South, Our Lady of the Nativity Lawson, Trinity Catholic Primary Kemps Creek, Holy Spirit Primary St Clair, St Patrick's Primary Blacktown, St Madeleine's Primary Kenthurst, Good Shepherd Primary Plumpton and Holy Cross Primary Glenwood have collected bedding, warm clothing, toiletries and food for the @vinniesnsw Winter Appeal.🧣❄️ These were lovingly packed into hampers to support those in need this winter. 🌟 Caroline Chisholm College donated items to the @jesuitsocialservices Ignite Store, providing support to vulnerable members of the community. 🌟 Catherine McAuley Westmead donated $2000 worth of groceries to The Big Give supporting the @parrawomensshelter, offering much-needed relief to local families. Together, our students, staff, and families are making a real difference. Thank you for living out our faith values with such purpose and heart! 🙏 Check out our Facebook page to see the entire gallery! @stangelasprimary @stpatricksprimaryparramatta @stmonicasrichmond @stmichaelsblacktown @olnlawson @trinitykempscreek @holyspiritprimaryschoolstclair @stpatsblacktown @holycrossprimaryglenwood @carolinechisholmglenmorepark @catherinemcauleywestmead #stmadeleineskenthurst #goodshepherdplumpton
16 Jul 2025
From CSPD Facebook
📣 YOUNG LEADERS, BIG IMPACT 📣 Student leaders, Austin, Annliya, Alex, and Angela from St Agnes CHS Rooty Hill had the honour of representing their school at the Together For Humanity (TFH) Fundraiser held at Parliament House, Sydney. 🇦🇺 Alongside their teacher Miss Fielding, they joined a panel facilitated by journalist Ally Langdon, sharing powerful insights on leadership, inclusion and intercultural understanding. 💬 🌏 Their message was clear: 👉 celebrate difference 👉 break down prejudice 👉 create a world where everyone belongs The event was attended by Members of Parliament, who showed strong support for initiatives that promote diversity, unity and social cohesion. 👏 St Agnes Catholic High is shaping the leaders of tomorrow, visit their website to learn more about how they empower students to become contributors to a brighter future ==> https://www.stagnesrootyhill.catholic.edu.au/school-life/social-justice
16 Jul 2025
St Agnes Week celebrations highlight diversity and inclusion
Students and staff from St Agnes Catholic High School Rooty Hill enjoyed a week of workshops, activities and performances as part of the St Agnes Week celebrations at the end of Term 2.
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The story behind this year’s ARTICULATE catalogue cover
The cover artwork for this year’s ARTICULATE (Parramatta Diocese’s HSC Visual Arts Showcase) catalogue was created by Yashica Patel, a former St Luke’s Catholic College Marsden Park student. Her featured digital series, titled “Lost in Revelry", beautifully captures the essence of becoming fully absorbed in the creative process.
16 Jul 2025
ARTICULATE featured artist shares her inspiration found close to home
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16 Jul 2025
From CSPD Instagram
🦀 REEFS, ROCKS AND RESEARCH🔬 Catherine McAuley Westmead's Year 11 Biology students travelled to Long Reef Rock Platform, Collaroy to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting! 🐙 🤔 As part of their unit on Ecosystem Dynamics, the students investigated how the abiotic factors affected the biotic factors identifiable in the different zones of the rock platform. Hands-on science at its best! 🧪✨ Catherine McAuley promotes innovative and engaging learning opportunities, visit their website to learn more. @catherinemcauleywestmead #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #excursion #fieldwork #catherinemcauleywestmead
15 Jul 2025
From CSPD Facebook
🌟 HOMEGROWN TALENT 🌟 Big congratulations to Year 10 student Angela T from Nagle College, Blacktown South, who was recently selected by Basketball Australia to attend a national training camp at the Centre of Excellence in Canberra! 🏀 👏 The elite camp is part of the lead up to the FIBA U16 Asia Cup, set to take place in Malaysia from September 10–22. Angela’s selection puts her in contention for the U16 Sapphires squad, who are training hard to maintain their winning streak from the 2024 FIBA U15 Oceania Cup.🔥 Let’s cheer on Angela as she chases this amazing opportunity! ⛹♀ 🎉
16 Jul 2025
From CSPD Instagram
🙏❤️ REMEMBERING BISHOP KEVIN MANNING 🙏❤️ Today marks one year since the passing of Bishop Kevin Manning. Appointed as the second Bishop of Parramatta in 1997, he faithfully led the Diocese for over 12 years until his retirement in 2010. As the communities across Western Sydney and Blue Mountains expanded, Bishop Manning helped shape the identity of Australia’s youngest diocese. ⛪ Respected across Australia, Bishop Manning oversaw the rebuilding of St Patrick’s Cathedral after the 1996 fire and remained deeply committed to those on the margins of society. Throughout his ministry, he championed justice for workers, First Nations peoples, migrants and refugees, women, children and young people. His dedication to unity and dialogue was also evident in his time as President of the NSW Ecumenical Council. 🚌🏫👩🏫 In honour of his legacy of faith, compassion and service, the Bishop Manning Support Fund continues his mission by offering the gift of a Catholic education to families in need. The fund helps with essentials such as uniforms and devices. 🤲 You can donate to Bishop Manning Support Fund by visiting the link in our bio. #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #bishopmanning #anniversary #bishopmanningsupportfund
15 Jul 2025
From CSPD Facebook
🙏❤️ Remembering Bishop Kevin Manning 🙏❤️ Today marks one year since the passing of Bishop Kevin Manning. Appointed as the second Bishop of Parramatta in 1997, he faithfully led the Diocese for over 12 years until his retirement in 2010. As the communities across Western Sydney and Blue Mountains expanded, Bishop Manning helped shape the identity of Australia’s youngest diocese. ⛪ Respected across Australia, Bishop Manning oversaw the rebuilding of St Patrick’s Cathedral after the 1996 fire and remained deeply committed to those on the margins of society. Throughout his ministry, he championed justice for workers, First Nations peoples, migrants and refugees, women, children and young people. His dedication to unity and dialogue was also evident in his time as President of the NSW Ecumenical Council. 🚌🏫👩🏫 In honour of his legacy of faith, compassion and service, the Bishop Manning Support Fund continues his mission by offering the gift of a Catholic education to families in need. The fund helps with essentials such as uniforms and devices. You can donate to the Bishop Manning Support Fund here: ==> parra.catholic.edu.au/bmsf
15 Jul 2025
ARTICULATE student spotlight - Marian Catholic College student inspired by Emily Dickinson
Meet Jacinta Edmonds-Brown, a recent graduate of Marian Catholic College Kenthurst who is featured in ARTICULATE, the HSC Visual Arts Showcase of exemplary work from students across the Parramatta Diocese. Jacinta produced a striking series of paintings entitled Melancholy of the Modern Muse.
15 Jul 2025
From CSPD Instagram
LEARN 💭, LISTEN 👂, LOVE ❤️ Stage 3 students from St Monica's North Parramatta participated in a memorable Immersion Day that focused on instilling the 3 L’s - Learn, Listen, Love. 🫶 Roydon, a guest speaker from @vinniesnsw, kickstarted the day by sharing powerful insights 💬 with the students about the challenges faced by those most vulnerable in the community and what we can be doing to help those in need. 🤝 🥰 The Year 5 students enjoyed spreading kindness at a local nursing home, whilst the Year 6 students visited their local Vinnies store and helped load the bus with the generous donations gifted by the St Monica’s school community - over a whopping 1,000 first aid kits were donated! 👏 The Immersion Day was a wonderful reflection of faith in action and demonstrated the power of community! 🙌 Find out more about how St Monica’s fosters a caring faith community by visiting their website. @stmonicasparra #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #immersionday
14 Jul 2025
From CSPD Facebook
A heartfelt 🫶THANK YOU🫶 to our incredible school communities for their generosity, compassion and ongoing support of their school fundraising initiatives! 🤲❤️ 👏 Here’s a look at just some of the inspiring fundraising and donation efforts recently completed across our schools: 🌟 St Angela's Primary School, St Patrick's Parramatta, St Monica's Primary School Richmond , St Michael's Blacktown South, Our Lady of the Nativity, Lawson NSW, Trinity C.P.S Kemps Creek, Holy Spirit St Clair, St Patrick's Primary School Blacktown, St Madeleine's Primary, Kenthurst, Good Shepherd Plumpton, Holy Cross Primary Glenwood have collected an overwhelming amount of bedding, warm clothing, toiletries and food for the Vinnies NSW Winter Appeal. These were lovingly packed into hampers to support those in need this winter.🧣❄️ 🌟 Caroline Chisholm College generously donated items to the Jesuit Social Services Ignite Store, providing support to vulnerable members of the community. 🌟 Catherine McAuley Westmead donated $2000 worth of groceries to The Big Give supporting the Parramatta Women's Shelter, offering much-needed relief to local families. Together, our students, staff, and families are making a real difference. Thank you for living out our faith and values with such purpose and heart! 🙏
14 Jul 2025
From CSPD Instagram
🌬️ Learning that lifts off! 🛫✨ Penola Catholic College Emu Plains Year 11 Physics students recently took their studies to new heights at iFLY Downunder, diving into science through an unforgettable, hands-on experience! 😄 From flying in the wind tunnel to seeing Newton’s Laws in action, students explored key concepts like aerodynamics, forces, and motion in a truly dynamic setting. 🙌 Their enthusiasm, teamwork, and curiosity were on full display - and they represented Penola with pride. ☺️ ➡CSPD schools believe in turning learning into exciting, real-life adventures that spark passion and confidence in every student. For more on the learning at Penola visit their website! @penolaemuplains @iflyoz #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #emuplains #physics #excursion #realworldlearning
13 Jul 2025
From CSPD Facebook
👩🌾 An EGG-CELLENT excursion to the farm! 🚜 Kindergarten students from Good Shepherd Primary Plumpton were udderly thrilled to spend a farm-tastic day out at Calmsley Hill City Farm! 🐮 🐥 From cow milking and tractor rides to petting furry friends and watching a cracking stock whip show, the day was jam-packed full of interactive activities and unique opportunities for real-world learning! 🐷 To learn more about how Good Shepherd Plumpton supports hands-on learning experiences, visit their website: 👉 gsplumpton.catholic.edu.au/school-life/learning
13 Jul 2025
From CSPD Instagram
🖤💛❤️💙💚 COMING OF THE LIGHT FESTIVAL 🖤💛❤️💙💚 As we near the end of NAIDOC Week 2025, it’s been incredible to see our school communities honouring and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island cultures. Students from St Finbar's Primary, Glenbrook, marked the Coming of the Light Festival ✨, a significant Torres Strait Islander celebration commemorating the arrival of Christian Missionaries in 1871. The day offered a meaningful opportunity to reflect on unity, hope and cultural resilience, with students engaging in traditional art, crafts and storytelling.🎨💬 It’s inspiring to see our next generation of leaders recognising and honouring those who have paved the way - a powerful way of living out this year’s NAIDOC theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”. 🌟⭐ @stfinbarsglenbrook @naidocweek #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #naidocweek #naidoc2025 #comingofthelightfestival #culturalcelebration