We are delighted to announce the winners of the inaugural Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) Employee Excellence Awards, celebrating the outstanding people who make a difference across our schools, workplaces and wider community.
In his speech to open the awards ceremony, Chief Executive Officer Jack de Groot reflected on the simple act of acknowledgment and the impact it has on the human spirit.
“Tonight we celebrate the achievements of our finalists and winners and also celebrate the work of all our colleagues – for the values, commitment and care that they bring every day,” said Jack. “For CSPD, excellence is not just something we celebrate; it is part of the ambition we have set for ourselves and our Board’s vision to enrich the lives of our students through education grounded in excellence, inclusivity and Catholic tradition.”
“Excellence is not something that belongs to one person, one school or one team. It is something we build together,” he said. “To deliver on this, we need people across CSPD who are committed to doing their best work, to high standards, and to continually looking for ways to make a difference.”
Following an incredible 185 nominations, the inaugural awards provided an opportunity for colleagues from across CSPD to come together, celebrate and recognise the collective efforts of our teachers, Principals, non-teaching staff and CSPD Support Teams (non-school based staff).
Congratulations to all our 2026 award recipients:
Excellence in School Leadership
Gabriela Osterlund, Principal, Emmaus Catholic College Kemps Creek
Excellence in CSPD Support Teams Leadership
Mitch Huie, Head of Student Wellbeing & Counselling, CSPD Support Teams
Excellence in Early Career Teaching
Jackson Camporeale, Marian Catholic College Kenthurst
Excellence in Experienced Teaching
Kristina Frazer, St Canice's Primary Katoomba
Excellence in Middle Leadership
Louise Khawaja, Gilroy Catholic College Castle Hill & Danielle Nevin, Emmaus Catholic College Kemps Creek
Excellence in Contribution to School Community
Nicole Alsemgeest, St Columba’s Catholic College Springwood
Excellence in Contribution to CSPD Support Teams
Amanda Parnis, Senior Data Analyst, People & Technology, CSPD Support Teams
Excellence in Service to School and Community
Michael Aure, Bede Polding College Windsor South
Excellence in Service to Students through Catholic Social Teaching and Practice
Erin Smith, Parramatta Marist High School
Excellence in Initiatives Making an Impact through Collaboration
Religious Education Curriculum, CSPD Mission Team
Excellence in Commitment to Safety and Wellbeing
Sally Coppini, St Bernadette's Primary Castle Hill
Excellence in Contribution to Student Learning
Narelle Harding, St Michael's Primary Baulkham Hills
(award accepted by Principal Tracy Hoey)
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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03 Aug 2026
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14 Aug 2026
Inaugural 2026 Employee Excellence Awards celebrate the people making a difference across CSPD
We are delighted to announce the winners of the inaugural Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) Employee Excellence Awards, celebrating the outstanding people who make a difference across our schools, workplaces and wider community.
13 Aug 2026
From CSPD Facebook
π CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR COMMONWEALTH GAMES MEDALLISTS! π¦πΊ We're incredibly proud to celebrate our former CSPD students who not only represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, but also added to the nation's medal tally! π₯ Tim Hodge (Patrician Brothers' College, Blacktown and St Bernadette's Lalor Park), who also had the honour of serving as a Baton Bearer at the Opening Ceremony, claimed gold in the Men's 100m Backstroke S9. π₯ Gordon Allan (Patrician Brothers' College, Blacktown and St Bernadette's Lalor Park) won silver in the Men's Para-Cycling C2 1000m Time Trial, setting a new Commonwealth Games record with his ride against the clock. π₯π₯ Jenna Jones (St Columba's Catholic College, Springwood and St Thomas Aquinas Primary School Springwood) took home gold in the Women's 100m Freestyle S13 and bronze in the 50m Freestyle S13. π₯ Layla Sharp (Emmaus Catholic College Kemps Creek) claimed silver in the Women's Long Jump T38, breaking the Commonwealth Games record, the Oceania record and her own Australian record with an outstanding performance. Congratulations to these outstanding athletes on their incredible achievements. Your hard work and determination continue to inspire our school communities, and we're proud to see our alumni achieving amazing things on the world stage! πππ
14 Aug 2026
From CSPD Instagram
Welcoming communities, real results, affordable fees. π Take a look inside everyday life at a Catholic school π (2 min read at the link in our bio). #cspd2026 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #catholiceducation
12 Aug 2026
From CSPD Facebook
π MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY π€ Are you a CSPD parent looking for a meaningful way to give back during school hours? Vinnies NSW is inviting parents across Greater Western Sydney to join their local Vinnies Conference and support people experiencing hardship in their community. Volunteering can fit around the school day, with home visits generally taking place in pairs between 10am and 2pm. Volunteers receive training, ongoing support and practical resources, with opportunities to develop leadership and advocacy skills along the way. The everyday skills many parents already have - empathy, patience, listening and compassion - can make a meaningful difference to people in need. π Interested in getting involved? Contact roydon.ng@vinnies.org.au to be connected with your local Conference. Vinnies Australia
11 Aug 2026
From CSPD Facebook
πΏ A POWERFUL CELEBRATION OF CULTURE The St John Paul II Catholic College, Schofields & Nirimba school community came together for a moving Smoking Ceremony and powerful dance performance, creating a meaningful opportunity for students and staff to celebrate the rich history, vibrant cultures and enduring contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The gathering was a wonderful reflection of the importance of listening, learning and building a deeper appreciation for First Nations cultures and stories. π€πβ€οΈ
12 Aug 2026
From CSPD Instagram
π CELEBRATING OUR COMMONWEALTH GAMES CHAMPIONS! π¦πΊ Weβre incredibly proud of our former CSPD students who represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and achieved outstanding results on the world stage! π₯ Tim Hodge (Patrician Brothers' College Blacktown and St Bernadette's Lalor Park) claimed gold in the Men's 100m Backstroke S9, after proudly serving as a Baton Bearer at the Opening Ceremony. π₯ Gordon Allan (Patrician Brothers' College Blacktown and St Bernadette's Lalor Park) won silver in the Men's Para-Cycling C2 1000m Time Trial, setting a new Commonwealth Games record with his ride against the clock. π₯π₯ Jenna Jones (St Columba's Catholic College Springwood and St Thomas Aquinas Primary Springwood) took home gold in the Women's 100m Freestyle S13 and bronze in the 50m Freestyle S13. π₯ Layla Sharp (Emmaus Catholic College Kemps Creek) claimed silver in the Women's Long Jump T38, breaking the Commonwealth Games record, Oceania record and her own Australian record with an outstanding performance. Congratulations to these incredible athletes on their achievements. Your dedication, resilience and success continue to inspire our CSPD communities, and weβre proud to see our alumni making their mark on the world stage! πππ @emmauscspd @patsblacktown @stbernadettesprimarylalorpark #cspd2026 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #commonwealthgames
10 Aug 2026
From CSPD Facebook
π€ IS YOUR CHILD NAVIGATING FRIENDSHIP CHANGES? From conflict and exclusion to social pressure and bullying, friendships can be complicated as children grow. Join respected parenting author Michelle Mitchell for Friendship Smart, a practical session designed to give parents and carers strategies to help children navigate friendship changes, set healthy boundaries and build positive relationships. π Monday, 31 August 2026 β° 7:00pm - 8:30pm π Nagle College, Blacktown π Free for CSPD parents and carers π Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKS5r8V_gowJSuSoGe_3QhohiuZ14PX5SWT4YVXcgiqHdp3g/viewform Family Partnership Council - FPC Michelle Mitchell - Parenting Educator, Author, Speaker
11 Aug 2026
From CSPD Instagram
π€ IS YOUR CHILD NAVIGATING FRIENDSHIP CHANGES? From conflict and exclusion to social pressure and bullying, friendships can be complicated as children grow. Join respected parenting author Michelle Mitchell for Friendship Smart, a practical session designed to give parents and carers strategies to help children navigate friendship changes, set healthy boundaries and build positive relationships. π Monday, 31 August 2026 β° 7.00pmβ8.30pm π Nagle College, Blacktown π Free for CSPD parents and carers π Register via the link in our bio. @cspd_fpc @michellemitchell.author #cspd2026 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #fpcparentevent
08 Aug 2026
From CSPD Facebook
βοΈ HAPPY PRIMARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS DAY! βοΈ Today, we're celebrating the incredible leaders at the heart of our primary schools π To all our incredible Primary Principals, thank you for your compassion, dedication and unwavering commitment to helping every student flourish. From welcoming students each morning to supporting staff, families and school communities, your leadership makes a lasting difference every single day. πβ¨ These are just a few of our wonderful Primary Principals, but today we celebrate every one of you. Join us in thanking your school Principal by leaving them a message in the comments below! ππ¬ πΈ St Canice's Primary Katoomba, St Joseph's Primary School Kingswood, St Michael's Blacktown South, St Bernadette's Lalor Park, St Monica's Primary School Richmond, St Mary's Primary Rydalmere, St John Vianney's Primary Doonside, Christ the King Primary School North Rocks, St Michael's Baulkham Hills, Bethany Catholic Primary School, Glenmore Park, St Paul the Apostle Primary Winston Hills, St Margaret Mary's Primary School Merrylands, St Matthew's Catholic Primary, Windsor
08 Aug 2026
From CSPD Facebook
β¨βοΈ FEAST DAY OF ST MARY OF THE CROSS MACKILLOP βοΈβ¨ Today we celebrate the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia's first saint, reflecting on her extraordinary legacy of faith, courage and service β€οΈπ¦πΊ Through school Masses, liturgies and special re-enactments, our school communities honoured Mary MacKillop's unwavering commitment to making education accessible to all and the values she lived every day. Inspired by her famous words, "Never see a need without doing something about it," students were encouraged to put their faith into action through kindness, compassion and service to others. May St Mary of the Cross MacKillop continue to inspire us to lead with courage, live with hope and make a difference in the lives of those around us β¨ πΈ Christ the King Primary School North Rocks, Holy Cross Primary Glenwood, St Nicholas of Myra Primary Penrith, Our Lady of Lourdes Seven Hills
09 Aug 2026
From CSPD Instagram
β¨βοΈ FEAST DAY OF ST MARY OF THE CROSS MACKILLOP βοΈβ¨ Today we celebrate the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia's first saint, and reflect on her extraordinary legacy of faith, courage and service. β€οΈπ¦πΊ Across our schools, students and staff marked the occasion through Masses, liturgies and special re-enactments, honouring Mary MacKillop's unwavering commitment to making education accessible to all. Inspired by her famous words, "Never see a need without doing something about it," our students were encouraged to put their faith into action through kindness, compassion and service to others. May St Mary of the Cross MacKillop continue to inspire us to lead with courage, live with hope and make a difference in the lives of those around us. β¨ πΈ Christ the King Primary North Rocks, Holy Cross Primary Glenwood, St Nicholas of Myra Primary Penrith, Our Lady of Lourdes Primary Seven Hills @christthekingnorthrocks @holycrossprimaryglenwood #cspd2026 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #marymackillopfeastday
08 Aug 2026
From CSPD Instagram
βοΈ HAPPY PRIMARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS DAY! βοΈ Today we're shining a spotlight on the incredible Primary Principals who lead our school communities with compassion, dedication and heart π Thank you for inspiring students, supporting families, empowering staff and creating welcoming schools where every child can thrive. Your leadership makes a difference every single day. πβ¨ These are just a few of the amazing Primary Principals across CSPD, but today we're celebrating every one of them. Show your appreciation by giving your school Principal a shout-out in the comments! ππ¬π πΈ St Joseph's Primary Kingswood, St Canice's Primary Katoomba, St Michael's Primary Blacktown, St Monica's Primary Richmond, St John Vianney's Primary Doonside, Christ the King Primary North Rocks, St Michael's Primary Baulkham Hills, St Margaret Mary's Primary Merrylands, St Matthew's Catholic Primary, Windsor @stjosephsprimarykingswoodnsw @stcaniceskatoomba @stmichaelsblacktown @stmonicasrichmond @stjohnvianneysdoonside @christthekingnorthrocks @stmichaelsprimarybaulkhamhills @stmargaretmarys @stm.windsor #cspd2026 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #primaryprincipalsday
07 Aug 2026
From CSPD Facebook
π A RECORD CROWD FOR THE 2026 ANN D CLARK LECTURE β¨ More than 600 educators, leaders and staff from across CSPD gathered for the 2026 Ann D Clark Lecture - an evening of inspiration, reflection and professional learning centred on one shared mission: helping every student thrive. β This yearβs keynote speaker, Professor Lorraine Hammond, explored βThe Bridge to Excellenceβ, sharing insights into evidence-informed teaching, explicit instruction and the science of learning. The evening highlighted CSPDβs commitment to Uplift and our continued focus on high impact, evidence-informed teaching practices that support every student to reach their potential. π Read more here: https://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/whats-on/latest-news/2026/08/05/04/42/ann-d-clark-lecture-challenges-educators-to-build-the-bridge-to-excellence?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio
07 Aug 2026
CSPD schools awarded STEM grants to inspire future innovators
Two Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) schools are set to expand opportunities for students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) following successful funding applications through the NSW Governmentβs STEM Equity & Access Program 2026 β Round 2.
07 Aug 2026
From CSPD Instagram
Take courage... Seoul is calling!ππ°π· Come hang out, grab some Korean food π, enjoy K-pop πΆ, games π² and good company while finding out what World Youth Day Seoul 2027 is all about. This is the launch event for the Parramatta Diocese pilgrimage to WYD Seoul 2027. If you're a CSPD FIAT Coordinator or Teaching Scholarship student focussing on Religious Education, and your faith is important to you, we'd love to see you there. π Nagle College Blacktown π Wednesday 12 August π‘ 6.30pm @catholicyouthparra @parracatholic #WYDSeoul2027 #cspd2026 #catholicschoolsparramattadiocese #parracatholic #westernsydney #studentanimator