Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney has visited Leura to speak on the state of education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Ms Burney addressed an audience of educators and community members from Catholic schools across NSW at the Fairmont Resort on October 12.
Ms Burney spoke about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education initiatives aimed to assist Indigenous students and keep Indigenous culture alive.
This included subsidised childcare for Indigenous students, along with First Nations language programs the government will roll out across 60 Australian primary schools.
"There is nothing more important than improvements in well-being and outcomes," said Ms Burney.
She spoke highly of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, and what it means for Indigenous Australians.
"Prior to this agreement, First Nations people did not have a seat at the table," she said. "In fact, [they were] sitting under the table at best.
This agreement is about partnership.
The minister closed out her address by urging attendees to support the Voice to Parliament referendum.
"The Uluru statement is poetic. It says we seek constitutional reforms to empower our people to take a rightful place in our country. When we have power over our destiny, our children will flourish.
"The nation's birth certificate will finally be completed."
Transforming with the Spirit: Catholic Schools NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander State Education Conference 2022 co-hosted by the Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta is being run through to October 13. The conference hosts several keynote speakers, art showcases, and activities such as yarning and painting.
Blue Mountains Gazette
Katoomba news, sport and weather.
-
![Catholic School Open Days - Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta]()
01 Feb 2025
Catholic School Open Days
We are enrolling now! Attend your local Catholic school's Open Day to find out more.![IT Traineeship program for Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese]()
13 Aug 2025
Become an IT Trainee and earn while you learn
If you are a Year 10-12 student, attend an information session on either 13 or 14 August 2025 (4pm-6pm) at Aengus Kavanagh Centre, 59 Railway St Rooty Hill NSW 2766 to get started.
Instagram | CSPD
More News
15 Jul 2025
From CSPD Instagram
LEARN ๐ญ, LISTEN ๐, LOVE โค๏ธ Stage 3 students from St Monica's North Parramatta participated in a memorable Immersion Day that focused on instilling the 3 Lโs - Learn, Listen, Love. ๐ซถ Roydon, a guest speaker from @vinniesnsw, kickstarted the day by sharing powerful insights ๐ฌ 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. ๐ค ๐ฅฐ 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 Monicaโs school community - over a whopping 1,000 first aid kits were donated! ๐ The Immersion Day was a wonderful reflection of faith in action and demonstrated the power of community! ๐ Find out more about how St Monicaโs fosters a caring faith community by visiting their website. @stmonicasparra #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #immersionday
14 Jul 2025
From CSPD Facebook
A heartfelt ๐ซถTHANK YOU๐ซถ to our incredible school communities for their generosity, compassion and ongoing support of their school fundraising initiatives! ๐คฒโค๏ธ ๐ Hereโs a look at just some of the inspiring fundraising and donation efforts recently completed across our schools: ๐ 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.๐งฃโ๏ธ ๐ Caroline Chisholm College generously donated items to the Jesuit Social Services Ignite Store, providing support to vulnerable members of the community. ๐ 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! ๐
14 Jul 2025
From CSPD Instagram
๐ฌ๏ธ Learning that lifts off! ๐ซโจ 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! ๐ From flying in the wind tunnel to seeing Newtonโs Laws in action, students explored key concepts like aerodynamics, forces, and motion in a truly dynamic setting. ๐ Their enthusiasm, teamwork, and curiosity were on full display - and they represented Penola with pride. โบ๏ธ โกCSPD 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
๐ฉโ๐พ An EGG-CELLENT excursion to the farm! ๐ Kindergarten students from Good Shepherd Primary Plumpton were udderly thrilled to spend a farm-tastic day out at Calmsley Hill City Farm! ๐ฎ ๐ฅ 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! ๐ท To learn more about how Good Shepherd Plumpton supports hands-on learning experiences, visit their website: ๐ gsplumpton.catholic.edu.au/school-life/learning
13 Jul 2025
From CSPD Instagram
๐ค๐โค๏ธ๐๐ COMING OF THE LIGHT FESTIVAL ๐ค๐โค๏ธ๐๐ As we near the end of NAIDOC Week 2025, itโs 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 โจ, 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.๐จ๐ฌ Itโs inspiring to see our next generation of leaders recognising and honouring those who have paved the way - a powerful way of living out this yearโs NAIDOC theme, โThe Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacyโ. ๐โญ @stfinbarsglenbrook @naidocweek #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #naidocweek #naidoc2025 #comingofthelightfestival #culturalcelebration
12 Jul 2025
From CSPD Facebook
๐ฌ๏ธ Learning takes flight at Penola! ๐ซโจ 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! ๐ From flying in the wind tunnel to seeing Newtonโs Laws in action, students explored key concepts like aerodynamics, forces, and motion in a truly dynamic setting. ๐ Their enthusiasm, teamwork, and curiosity were on full display - and they represented Penola with pride. โบ๏ธ โกCSPD 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.catholic.edu.au/school-life/learning
12 Jul 2025
From CSPD Instagram
โ๏ธ WINTER SLEEPOUT 2025 โ๏ธ It warms our hearts โค๏ธโ๐ฅ to see so many of our schools brave the cold in support of the Vinnies NSW Winter Appeal.๐งฃ ๐๐ Students and staff participated in winter sleep-outs, raised funds and donated food, clothing and blankets, all to support those most vulnerable in our communities, especially those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, poverty and the increasing pressures of the cost of living. ๐คฒ St John XXIII Catholic College, Holy Cross Primary Glenwood, Sacred Heart Primary Mt Druitt, OLQP Primary Greystanes, Emmaus Catholic College Kemps Creek, St Clare's CHS Hassall Grove, St Thomas Aquinas, St Canice's Katoomba and Our Lady of the Nativity, Lawson, gained a deeper understanding of the harsh realities faced by those experiencing homelessness and disadvantage by engaging in hands-on activities like: โ๏ธ building shelters from cardboard boxes โ๏ธ designing inspiring posters and cards โ๏ธ engaging in reflective walks and liturgies โ๏ธ listening to stories of service โ๏ธ making sandwiches to be distributed by the Vinnies Van ๐ Head to our Facebook page to see the full gallery! @stjohnxxiiicatholiccollege @holycrossprimaryglenwood @olqpprimary @stclareshassallgrove @stthomasaquinas_springwoodnsw @stcaniceskatoomba @olnlawson @emmauscspd @vinniesnsw @vinniesnsw_schoolsleepout #sacredheartprimaryschoolmountdruitt #wintersleepout2025 #vinnieswinterappeal #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsyd
11 Jul 2025
From CSPD Facebook
๐ค๐โค๏ธ๐๐ COMING OF THE LIGHT FESTIVAL ๐ค๐โค๏ธ๐๐ As we near the end of NAIDOC Week 2025, itโs 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 โจ, 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.๐จ๐ฌ Itโs inspiring to see our next generation of leaders recognising and honouring those who have paved the way - a powerful way of living out this yearโs NAIDOC theme, โThe Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacyโ. ๐โญ
11 Jul 2025
From CSPD Instagram
๐ฉโ๐พ An UDDERLY A-MAIZE-ING day at the farm! ๐ฎ๐ Kindergarten students from Good Shepherd Primary Plumpton were delighted to spend a farm-tastic day out at Calmsley Hill City Farm! ๐ ๐ฅ Cow milking, tractor rides, petting furry friends and watching a stock whip show were just a few of the interactive activities that the students were able to experience on the day! ๐ท Good Shepherd Plumpton supports hands-on learning, visit their website to learn more. @calmsley_hill #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #plumpton #goodshepherdprimaryplumpton #excursion #farmlife
10 Jul 2025
From CSPD Facebook
โ๏ธ WINTER SLEEPOUT 2025 โ๏ธ We're proud to see so many of our schools brave the chilly winter weather in support of the Vinnies Australia NSW Winter Appeal.๐งฃ ๐๐ Students and staff participated in winter sleep-outs, raised funds and donated food, clothing and blankets, all to support those most vulnerable in our communities, especially those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, poverty and the increasing pressures of the cost of living. ๐คฒ St John XXIII Catholic College, Holy Cross Primary Glenwood, Sacred Heart Primary School Mount Druitt, OLQP Primary Greystanes, St Clare's Catholic High School, St Thomas Aquinas Primary School Springwood, St Canice's Primary Katoomba, Emmaus Catholic College and Our Lady of the Nativity, Lawson NSW, gained a deeper understanding of the harsh realities faced by those experiencing homelessness and disadvantage by engaging in hands-on activities like: โ๏ธ building shelters from cardboard boxes โ๏ธ designing inspiring posters and cards โ๏ธ engaging in reflective walks and liturgies โ๏ธ listening to stories of service โ๏ธ making sandwiches to be distributed by the Vinnies Van
10 Jul 2025
From CSPD Instagram
๐๐๐ ORIGIN FEVER HITS SACRED HEART ๐๐โค๏ธ Ahead of tonightโs State of Origin decider, the NRL brought that same electric energy โก to Sacred Heart Primary Mount Druitt to run a special training session! The students learned valuable skills like how to confidently and safely tackle, whilst developing their game smarts, confidence and teamwork skills. ๐ช A huge thanks to the NRL team for their special visit and inspiring the next generation of players โ just in time for Origin Game III! ๐๐ฅ #sacredheartprimarymountdruitt #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #nrltraining
09 Jul 2025
From CSPD Facebook
๐๐ FUTURE FOOTY STARS IN THE MAKING ๐๐ Ahead of tonightโs State of Origin decider, the NRL brought that same electric energy โก to Sacred Heart Primary School Mount Druitt to run a special training session! The students learned valuable skills like how to confidently and safely tackle, whilst developing their game smarts, confidence and teamwork skills. ๐ช A huge thanks to the NRL team for their special visit and inspiring the next generation of players - just in time for Origin Game III! ๐๐ฅ
09 Jul 2025
From CSPD Instagram
๐ค๐โค๏ธ St Pauls is all set for NAIDOC Week! ๐ค๐โค๏ธ In the last week of Term 3, St Pauls Catholic College Greystanes were honoured to welcome Dr Hugh McDermott MP, State Member for Prospect, who presented the college with a brand new Aboriginal flag โ a powerful symbol of respect, unity, and reconciliation. ๐ฆ๐บ The flag was proudly received by Year 11 student Mitchell and college principal, Mr Nastasi. ๐ The college was truly grateful for this meaningful gift and for the opportunity to reflect on the importance of culture, identity, and shared history. ๐ซถ ๐St Pauls, along with all our CSPD schools, are committed to excellence in education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Learn more on our website! @hugh_mcdermott @stpaulscollegegreystanes #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #greystanes #NAIDOC #aboriginalflag #culture
08 Jul 2025
From CSPD Facebook
๐ชจ A ROCKING DAY OF FIELDWORK! ๐ชจ ๐๐Year 11 Biology students from Catherine McAuley Westmead travelled to Long Reef Rock Platform, Collaroy to conduct some very interesting fieldwork. As part of their unit on Ecosystem Dynamics, the students investigated the various zones of the rock platform and studied how the abiotic factors affected the biotic factors. Practical science at its best! ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฆ Learn more about how Catherine McAuley brings learning to life here: ==>mcauleywestmead.catholic.edu.au/school-life/learning
08 Jul 2025
Stepping forward together at the Mount Druitt Reconciliation Walk
On the sunny Saturday morning of 7 June 2025, the Mount Druitt Reconciliation Walk brought together people from all walks of life.