CSPD Launches Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2025–2027
On Wednesday 23 July, Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) proudly launched its second Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), the Innovate RAP 2025–2027 at The Colebee Centre, Doonside. The event brought together community leaders including Edmond Atalla MP; Sharon Cooke, State Manager of Aboriginal Education at Catholic Schools NSW; Aunty Carol Cooper as well as school principals and staff representatives from CSPD.
A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a strategic commitment made to support reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It offers a framework for building respectful partnerships, embedding cultural knowledge, and generating opportunities that promote a culturally safe and welcoming environment. For Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese, this commitment to reconciliation also supports the Australian Catholic Bishops Social Justice Statement 2023-2024 Listen, Learn, Love: A New Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Bishop Vincent’s call to strengthen our relationship with First Nations Australians.
Building on the foundations of the Reflect RAP launched in 2021, the Innovate RAP 2025–2027 reflects CSPD’s formal commitment to listening, learning, and embedding First Nations histories and cultures into daily practices, policies, and decision-making. Closely aligned with their new system strategy to represent the diverse communities served in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, this next stage in the Reconciliation Action Plan focuses on:
- Deepening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Embedding cultural learning into all aspects of work
- Creating equitable opportunities through employment and procurement
- Strengthening respect through meaningful, two-way engagement
Chief Executive Officer Jack de Groot thanked RAP Project Manager Amanda Fotheringham, RAP Officer Yvette King, the Jarara team, the RAP Advisory Committee and Working Group for leading the process with Reconciliation Australia.
“This is a practical, deliberate step forward in our reconciliation journey,” Mr De Groot said. “It is Christ’s love that calls us to recognise the dignity of every person. As followers of Jesus, we are called to walk in solidarity and work for justice alongside our First Nations colleagues, students, families, and communities.”
The Innovate RAP artwork was created by artist Amy Allerton, a Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung woman, in collaboration with 90 First Nations students and staff from Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese.
Learn more about CSPD’s Innovate RAP and see video highlights
View Photo Gallery View full photo gallery
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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12 Aug 2025
CSPD Launches Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2025 2027
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🎞 ZOOMING in on Talent! 📸 - ALCHEMY 2025 🌟 🖼️ The inaugural ALCHEMY Photography Competition by CAPTIVATE drew over 300 amazing entries from students from @emmauscspd, @catherinemcauleywestmead, @parramatta.marist, @stagnesrootyhill, @stjohnxxiiicatholiccollege, @naglecollege, @stlukesmp, @stcolumbascollege_, @xaviercollege, @mariancatholiccollege, @carolinechisholmglenmorepark, @stpaulscollegegreystanes and @penolaemuplains. The competition celebrated student creativity and offered a platform to showcase unique artistic visions through the lens of photography. 💭✨ 🤩 The Opening Night Exhibition, hosted at Caroline Chisholm College, welcomed over 350 guests and featured the top 65 finalist works! A big thank you to Wolter Peeters (Sydney Morning Herald) for judging the competition and to Roza Sage who opened the exhibition on behalf of Melissa McIntosh, Federal MP for Lindsay. Congratulations to the Winners! ⭐ People and Winner of 2025 ALCHEMY major prize: Noah Kirby - Emmaus College ⭐ Looking Up: Isabel Mrsic - Xavier College ⭐ Community: Ashlyn Lal - St Agnes ⭐ Place: Alexander Worsley - Emmaus College ⭐ Wildlife: Laura McMahon - Gilroy College ⭐ Jack de Groot Prize: Angelique Armao - Catherine McAuley ⭐ Jack’s Honourable Mention: Nate Digges-Lagula - St Agnes 👏 Well done to all who entered, your talent and creativity made ALCHEMY 2025 truly unforgettable! 💫 #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #ALCHEMY
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⭐ ARTICULATE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ⭐ Meet Yashica Patel, former St Luke’s Catholic College Marsden Park student and the creative mind behind the cover artwork for this year’s ARTICULATE HSC Visual Arts Showcase, presented by CAPTIVATE! 👏🎨 💻✏ Her digital series, Lost in Revelry, captures the joy of being completely immersed in the creative process. While her original plan was to explore oil painting, Yashica followed her passion for animation, producing a digital collection that truly reflects her unique artistic voice. ✨ Now studying Commerce at UNSW 🎓, Yashica continues to nurture her creative journey, with dreams of pursuing animation professionally in the future. 👉 Click the link in our bio to read the full article and browse the latest ARTiculate catalogue! @stlukesmp #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney
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🏆⭐ NATIONAL STANDOUTS! 🏆⭐ 🏈 A big congratulations to the 10 Patrician Brothers' College, Blacktown students who were selected to represent NSWCCC at the week-long Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League Under 18s Championships in Coffs Harbour! Although NSWCCC missed out on reclaiming the national title in a tightly contested final, every student played with incredible heart, pride and determination. 💪 👏 Shoutout to Cameron, Roman and Christopher on their selection in the Australian Schoolboys Rugby League team - an incredible honour and a true reflection of their talent and dedication! Patrician Brothers' College continues to lead the way with the highest number of students selected for this prestigious honour in 2025. This is now the third year in a row that three or more students have been named in the national team! 🇦🇺 💚💛 Let’s get behind them as they wear the green and gold this October! 💚💛 ⚽️🏏 At Patrician Brothers' College, students thrive in a wide range of competitive and recreational sports tailored to all interests and abilities. Visit their website learn more! @patsblacktown #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney
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✨✝ FEAST DAY OF ST MARY OF THE CROSS MACKILLOP ✝✨ ❤️ Today we honour the Feast Day of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first saint and a woman of deep faith, compassion and service. 🇦🇺 Mary MacKillop dedicated her life to making education accessible to children living in poverty. 📚 Guided by her words, “Never see a need without doing something about it,” she continues to inspire us to live with courage, respond with love and serve others with humility. 🤝 🏫 St Mary MacKillop Primary, Penrith South, St Monica's Primary School Richmond, St Matthew's Catholic Primary, Windsor, Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School, St Patrick's Guildford, St Paul the Apostle Primary Winston Hills and Chisholm Catholic Primary marked the occasion, with staff and students participating in special liturgies, school Masses, Celebrations of the Word and re-enactments all dedicated to sharing the story and legacy of St Mary MacKillop.🌟 May we continue to walk in her footsteps - embracing faith, showing courage, and putting love into action in our everyday lives. 🙏🏻
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🎧 Love Music? Apply Now for CAPTIVATE's Remix Project! HURRY applications close on Thursday August 14 (Term 3, Week 4)! Open to all CSPD students in Years 8–11, CAPTIVATE’s Remix Project is a unique opportunity to work with acclaimed music producer Nyxen and the CAPTIVATE music team. 📀🔊🎼 This is the perfect opportunity for students passionate about music, who want to develop real industry skills and create their own remix with the help of a pro! 🎹💻 Successful applicants will join a series of hands-on workshops to remix a song of their choice, including one-on-one time in the studio with Nyxen to professionally mix and refine their track. Finished remixes will be played at the Term 4 Showcase Evening for family and friends. 👏 🎉 😁Don't miss this chance to level up your music skills and experience the industry firsthand! Apply online now - link in our bio above! ⬆ @nyxenmusic #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #CAPTIVATE #RemixProject #extracurricular
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🎧 Love Music? Apply Now for CAPTIVATE's Remix Project! HURRY applications close on Thursday August 14 (Term 3, Week 4)! Open to all CSPD students in Years 8–11, CAPTIVATE’s Remix Project is a unique opportunity to work with acclaimed music producer Nyxen and the CAPTIVATE music team. 📀🔊🎼 This is the perfect opportunity for students passionate about music, who want to develop real industry skills and create their own remix with the help of a pro! 🎹💻 Successful applicants will join a series of hands-on workshops to remix a song of their choice, including one-on-one time in the studio with Nyxen to professionally mix and refine their track. Finished remixes will be played at the Term 4 Showcase Evening for family and friends. 👏 🎉 😁Don't miss this chance to level up your music skills and experience the industry firsthand! Apply online now with the application form below: ==>https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8vkNgSw5oBSQafbiq6g5gEKRAiy5J1TpiZILnMhbx-BU7iA/viewform
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🌱 SUSTAINABILITY and CULTURE made Hands-on! 🌏 Students from Chisholm Catholic Primary Bligh Park had a blast celebrating Sustainability and Cultural Day! 💚✨The students enjoyed engaging in interactive workshops such as damper making, weaving, germinating seeds, learning about the role of RFS in caring for the environment and more. ♻🌳🍃 Through engaging in these workshops, the students explored sustainable practices and Indigenous culture, and heard valuable insights from guest speakers to help deepen their understanding. 💭 Chisholm Catholic Primary is all about sharing culture and preparing students to be stewards for creation, you can read more here 👉 https://www.chisholmblighpark.catholic.edu.au/school-life/learning
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👩💻👨💻 Thinking about a career in IT? Want to EARN while you LEARN? 💻🎓 The CSPD IT Traineeship Program offers an unmissable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in one of our 80 schools - with over 95% of graduates securing jobs in the IT industry! 💼🚀 As a trainee, you’ll: ✅ Expand your IT knowledge and skills ✅ Work with mentors & pros ✅ Build communication and problem-solving abilities ✅ Gain real-world experience ✅ Graduate with nationally recognised qualifications ✅ Boost your future career prospects! 📢 Students in Years 10–12 are invited to attend our upcoming Info Nights: 📅 Aug 13 & 14 🕓 4-6 PM 📍 Aengus Kavanagh Centre, 59 Railway St Rooty Hill 🔗 Click the link in our bio to register for an info night and to find out more! #cspd2025 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #ITtraineeship
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From CSPD Facebook
⭐ ARTICULATE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ⭐ Yashica Patel, a former St Luke's Catholic College student, is the talented artist behind the cover of this year’s ARTICULATE HSC Visual Arts Showcase catalogue, presented by CAPTIVATE.👏 💻✏ Yashica's digital series, Lost in Revelry, is a reflection of her deep love for artmaking. Originally intending to create oil paintings, Yashica ultimately followed her passion for animation, producing a digital collection that truly reflects her voice and vision.✨ Now studying Commerce at UNSW, Yashica remains dedicated to her artistic journey and hopes to pursue animation professionally in the future.🎓 👉 Read the full article to discover more about her inspiring story and browse the latest ARTiculate catalogue. https://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/2025-ARTICULATE-Yashica