St Canice's students Antonella Nunez (left) and Sophia Parrott at a NAPLAN breakfast.
The 2023 round of NAPLAN has kicked off, with the previous 10-band grading system scrapped for a new set of simplified labels.
Students will be graded as one of four categories based on their performance: Exceeding, Strong, Developing or Needs additional support.
With this change, and the expedition of results due to testing taking place online, parents should have a clear idea of their children's literacy and numeracy skills as soon as July.
St Canice's Primary Katoomba principal, Miriam Meaney, said: "We have such a wonderful learning community here in Katoomba and families really appreciate how hard we work to ensure the best learning outcomes for their children.
NAPLAN is another valuable tool to help us achieve that.
Along with the new NAPLAN grading system, the Catholic Schools Paramatta Diocese also has a new executive director, Jack de Groot.
He said: "It's great that we will have access to this useful information about student achievement and growth sooner.
"This is especially important for any child who needs additional support in the classroom and our dedicated teachers are always ready to offer extra help.
To help ease students and parents into NAPLAN testing, St canice's hosts special breakfasts, which were held from March 15 to 17.
The Gazette has reached out to public schools for comment on the start of NAPLAN.
The NAPLAN will run from March 15 to 27.
Blue Mountains Gazette
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01 Feb 2025
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25 Apr 2025
From CSPD Instagram
There were surprises all around as St Pauls College Greystanes welcomed former student and current Western Sydney Wanderers captain Lawrence Thomas back to the college.🙌⚽️ Lawrence surprised students and staff with the news that he has signed a new 2-year contract extension with the club while Year 11 student Tianyu Wang got to show Thomas the larger-than-life mural he created of him.🧤🎨 🏆👏 Tianyu spent three years creating the artwork during weekly sport lessons. From St Pauls student to Socceroos keeper and Wanderers captain 🏫💫❤️🖤🎉#wsw @stpaulscollegegreystanes @wswanderersfc #blacktown #cspd2024 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney @aleagues @__lawrencethomas #football
24 Apr 2025
Photos from Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese's post
What a memorable day at St Patrick's Guildford! 🇦🇺📬 Earlier this term, the school's Year 6 leaders noticed the school's flags were looking a little worn out and took the initiative to write to their local MP and Minister for Education Jason Clare, to request some new ones. The students were thrilled to welcome him in person at the end of term - with new flags in hand! 🏫🎉 Minister Clare took time to chat with students and staff about his work representing our community and supporting education across Australia. Of course, there was also some good-natured footy talk! 🏉 A great example of student voice in action. Well done, Year 6! 👏 If St Patrick's Primary sounds like a good fit for your child, check out their website for more information on what they offer and how to enrol. ==>stpatsguildford.catholic.edu.au
24 Apr 2025
From CSPD Facebook
🗳Getting ready to cast your vote? Know what you're voting for! To help families understand what the election means for Catholic schools, the National Catholic Education Commission asked the Australian Labor Party the Liberal Party of Australia, the The Australian Greens and key Independent candidates to provide their response to our priorities for Catholic education. Overall, they scored: ✅ Australian Labor Party ✅ Liberal National Coalition ❌ Australian Greens ? Independents (supported by Climate 200) To see the full score card and read the full responses visit the NCEC website - ==> ncec.catholic.edu.au/media-centre/how-do-the-major-parties-and-candidates-score-on-catholic-education-priorities 💡It always helps to know more about what you're voting for!
24 Apr 2025
From CSPD Instagram
In the digital age, we don't use them as much, but coins still play an important role in Australia's economy and history. 💳🪙🪙👛🤩🙌 Year 6 students from St Matthew's Primary Windsor got a hands-on experience about our currency history and how our coins are made on an excursion to the Royal Australian Mint (the Mint) in Canberra. 🪙🌟 They got to see the world of coin production and even minted their very own coins! 💰😲🤯 The Mint is Australia’s national mint and sole producer of circulating coins for the country. It also produces circulating coins for other countries and manufactures collector coins, investor products, medals, medallions, and tokens for domestic and international clients. 👏 #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #windsor #hawkesbury #royalaustralianmint @stm.windsor @royalaustmint
23 Apr 2025
From CSPD Instagram
Catholic Education asked @australianlabor, @liberal_aus (Coalition), @australiangreens and key Independent candidates to provide their response to our priorities for Catholic education. Overall, they scored: ✅ Australian Labor Party ✅ Liberal National Coalition ❌ Australian Greens ? Independents (supported by Climate 200) To see the full score card and read the full responses visit the NCEC website - link in our bio above ⬆ It always helps to know more about what you're voting for! #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #CatholicEducation #SchoolFunding #AusVotes #Auspol
23 Apr 2025
From CSPD Instagram
Flags delivered, questions answered, footy discussed! 🏉🎉 Big thanks to Minister for Education @jasonclaremp for visiting our Year 6 students at St Patrick's Primary Guildford after they wrote to him requesting new flags. 🇦🇺 He didn’t just bring the flags — he brought great conversation too, chatting about his work in Parliament, education, and of course… a bit of footy fun! 🏫🙌 If you want to learn more about the fantastic St Patrick's Primary community be sure to follow them on Instagram! @stpatricksprimaryguildford #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #StPatricksGuildford #JasonClareMP #StudentVoice #PrimarySchoolLife #CivicEngagement
22 Apr 2025
Photos from Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese's post
Art and culture 🎨❤️💛🖤 The Xavier College Llandilo community recently came together for an inspiring 😲🫶First Nations Art Exhibition in the St Robert Bellarmine Gallery. 🎨 The exhibition featured incredible works from Year 7 students, First Nations Group participants, that powerfully 🔥express culture, storytelling 🗣and connection.🌿✨ This wonderful initiative 😇was supported by CSPD's Jarara team. 😍🙏
22 Apr 2025
From CSPD Instagram
🕊️ Remembering Pope Francis 🕊️ With deep sadness, we join the Catholic community worldwide as we mourn the loss of Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday. 🙏 Pope Francis leaves behind a powerful legacy of love, compassion, and advocacy for those in need and the protection of our planet. 🌍💚 His passion for caring for others, especially those in the margins, has been an inspiration to us all. Jack de Groot, CEO of Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese, reflects on a personal encounter with the Holy Father: "I had the great joy of meeting Pope Francis early in his papacy. He was deeply focused on those suffering in times of war and those who felt disconnected from the Church." As we come together in prayer, we remember his unwavering commitment to justice, peace, and care for all of God's creation. ✝️✨ #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #PopeFrancis #TogetherInPrayer #CatholicEducation #Solidarity
22 Apr 2025
From CSPD Facebook
🙏 Together in Prayer for Pope Francis 🙏 With heavy hearts, we join the global Catholic community in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday. As a community of faith, we reflect on his enduring legacy of solidarity with those in need and his tireless advocacy for the care of our common home, the Earth. 🌍💚 Catholic Schools in our diocese, united in prayer, honour the life and teachings of the Holy Father, who inspired us all to reach out in love and compassion, especially to the marginalised and vulnerable. 🕊️ Jack de Groot, CEO of Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese, shares a personal memory from his time as CEO of Caritas Australia: "I had the great joy of meeting Pope Francis only a few weeks after he became Pope. He was clearly passionately interested in people struggling in times of war and those who were isolated from the Church." Let us come together in prayer, remembering Pope Francis and his unwavering call to serve others, especially those in need. May his example continue to inspire us all in our mission of faith, love, and justice. ✝️💫
22 Apr 2025
From CSPD Instagram
Congratulations🎉👏 to our students and school groups who took part in competitions at the 2025 Sydney Royal Easter Show.👑🎪 Amazing to see Marian Catholic College Kenthurst Year 12 student Amelia Odell recognised with the 2025 Norman Lethbridge Award🏅🏅🏅 which goes to a passionate, community-minded young person in agriculture. Another CSPD students was runner up for the award - Mikayla from St Columba's Catholic College, Springwood was proud to send a large contingent of students, competing with four steers🐄, one heifer🐂, three Berkshire pigs🐖, pumpkins🎃 and chickens🐔. Eva won champion state final🥇, RAS Pig Young Judges Competition, with Mikayla runner up Reserve Champion🥈. St Columba's students enjoyed the added bonus of being featured in a special report on 9 News.📺🌟🤩 @columbasdoves @mariancatholiccollege @sydneyroyal_eastershow #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #bluemountainsnsw #parramatta #hawkesbury #easter #royaleastershow #royaleastershow2025 #sydneyroyaleastershow #sydneyroyaleastershow2025
22 Apr 2025
From CSPD Instagram
The death of Pope Francis on Monday 21 April 2025, at the age of 88 has been met with profound grief and sorrow across the Diocese of Parramatta. The Catholic Church has lost a fearless and prophetic pastor who has unhesitatingly preached the Gospel and reminded the church that it must always reform itself and be close to ordinary people - especially the poor, the suffering and the marginalised. #vale #popefrancis #parramatta
21 Apr 2025
From CSPD Facebook
Vale Holy Father: Diocese of Parramatta Bishop Vincent Long said Pope Francis would always be remembered for keeping the flame of hope, and the message of God’s love, alive in a world that needs both more now than ever. “While today is a day of profound grief and sadness for us here in Parramatta and indeed right around the world, it is also a day to give thanks for the life of a man who gave so much to so many”, Bishop Vincent said. Read more in Catholic Outlook: https://catholicoutlook.org/the-diocese-of-parramatta-mourns-the-death-of-pope-francis-aged-88/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJy6g5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHsKPG9-KmhM9lSCLFS7v0dU03YJBQnwUHHTxISkkOJRzZHQebRIlfR5jT4o6_aem_UPrcRKseqS-Ji7Thel74Iw
21 Apr 2025
Photos from Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese's post
Congratulations🎉👏 to our students and school groups who took part in competitions at the 2025 Sydney Royal Easter Show.👑🎪 Amazing to see Marian Catholic College Kenthurst Year 12 student Amelia Odell recognised with the 2025 Norman Lethbridge Award🏅🏅🏅 which goes to a passionate, community-minded young person in agriculture. Another CSPD students was runner up for the award - Mikayla from St Columba's Catholic College, Springwood was proud to send a large contingent of students, competing with four steers🐄, one heifer🐂, three Berkshire pigs🐖, pumpkins🎃 and chickens🐔. Eva won champion state final🥇, RAS Pig Young Judges Competition, with Mikayla runner up Reserve Champion🥈. St Columba's students enjoyed the added bonus of being featured in a special report on 9 News.📺🌟🤩
21 Apr 2025
From CSPD Instagram
A message for Easter 2025 from Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta. 😇 Easter isn’t just about what happens after we die. It’s about transformation during our lives. ⛪ The story of Jesus is one of deep suffering, but also of radical renewal. From death came life. From brokenness came wholeness. That same hope is offered to us today, in the mess and beauty of our everyday lives.🙏 Even in a world that can feel heavy, unfair or uncertain, Easter reminds us that transformation is possible. Love is stronger than death. And hope still rises. 🛐 Wishing you a peaceful and hope-filled Easter. 🥰#catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #cspd2025 #parracatholic #Easter #bishopvincentlong
20 Apr 2025
From CSPD Instagram
Stronger Together 💜 at Caroline Chisholm College Glenmore Park. Last term, the incredible CCC community came together in the most beautiful way to support one of their own - Year 12 student, Sienna, who is courageously battling brain cancer. 💪 From students to staff, the college was a sea of purple standing united in faith, hope and love during a special fundraising day. It was a powerful reminder that no one fights alone. 🥰 Sienna, you're in our hearts and prayers. 💜🙏 @carolinechisholmglenmorepark #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #schoolfundraising #glenmorepark #faithinaction